General block paving questions

[Deano3]

Hi everyone hope your all well , had a few qoutes for block paving of driveway and seems rather than using hard-core only under the papers and sharp sand they all do a concrete mix now of 50mm as says makes a stronger base is that normal, had a couple of contractors with good reputation saying same thing.

Thanks dean

 

[Scally-Ho]

IMO an impervious base layer under paviours could cause pooling after persistent rain. Rain is supposed to percolate through and for this reason fine sand is used to infill the small gaps so the rain can percolate through.

 

[Deano3]

The 2 i have spoken to say 50mm semi dry comcrete base then sharp sand then 50mm papers ontop ?

Also is it advised to drop pavement the end as I have to drive over path so may get that concreted aswel.

Thanks dean

 

[yorksbuilder]

couple of contractors with good reputation saying same thing

How long do the driveways they install last?

 

[Deano3]

10 year warranty with hundreds of great reviews. Great on Facebook checkatrade and there website. Great testimonials etc.

Just the 2 company's I have had out said same thing about using concord so no subsidence etc they say most people doing that way now instead of using deep mot type 1 only. What you thinking ?

Thanks dean

 

[yorksbuilder]

Hello Dean

Just that a 150 to 100mm properly compacted hardcore interlocks nicely and may be better than a 50mm layer of concrete which will crack. They may do it to avoid carting away so much spoil, or to do the job faster.

If your ground is solid eg clay it may be ok.
See if they can go to 100mm concrete but that may increase cost a lot

Yes you need to drop the kerb to drive over pavement to your drive otherwise it's illegal. Apply to your local council for this. They driveway people will have advised you this already if they are trustworthy.

Hope it goes well and enjoy the the new drive.

 

[simplesteve]

're dropped kerb : It bugs me that our local council charge £200 to assess the application, and then £50 for a permit if it passes. And the contractor that does it has to be on their approved list.

 

[Odds]

Make sure they use a polymeric sand in the gaps between otherwise it'll be a weedscape next year.

 

[stevie888]

're dropped kerb : It bugs me that our local council charge £200 to assess the application, and then £50 for a permit if it passes. And the contractor that does it has to be on their approved list.

Be grateful there's a list: our council makes you use their term contractor.

To resond to the OP: I'm not at all keen on the idea of 50 of concrete

 

[simplesteve]

I've just noticed, the OP posted this same question 7 years ago.....
I hope he's getting the same prices !

 

[Deano3]

I've just noticed, the OP posted this same question 7 years ago.....
I hope he's getting the same prices !

That was last house I have recently moved homes and prices are certainly not the same think i am going to get a few more companies out for there opinions , hard to know we're best to look as i usually use checkatrade etc but know it doesnt mean a great deal.


Thanks everyone think I prefer hard-core etc underneath, going to email the companies and see exactly what ground prep is done as want it done correctly and done once

I was just thrown with 2 of 3 company's saying they use a semi dry concrete Base at 50mm and not 150mm or so of hard-core.

 

[simplesteve]

I’m with you, I totally see the reasons for using the 150mm Hardcore and I would be wanting the same…..
Just for interest - last summer 2 people in our street got block driveways pit in. They both got the full Hardcore etc done, but one was tamped with a Waker plate, the other a sit-on roller. Guess which one is already ‘opening up’ along the car tracks ?

 

[Deano3]

I’m with you, I totally see the reasons for using the 150mm Hardcore and I would be wanting the same…..
Just for interest - last summer 2 people in our street got block driveways pit in. They both got the full Hardcore etc done, but one was tamped with a Waker plate, the other a sit-on roller. Guess which one is already ‘opening up’ along the car tracks ?

One of company's that said 50mm of concrete did local Mercedes dealership etc and has been going for years and offers 10 year warranty etc. But I do agree surely think hardcore is better, I will get in touch and ask the questions about base prep and see what they all come back with.

Thanks dean

 

[StephenOak]

Great on Facebook checkatrade and there website. Great testimonials etc.

i usually use checkatrade etc

Checkatrade and like sites are paid advertising , i.e. the firm pays to be included. So that is of limited, if any, use. Also firms' own websites are hardly reliable, they have an incentive to remove any unflaattering reviews.

 

[stevie888]

The whole point of block paving is that it's inherently flexible so putting a rigid layer under it is ill advised. Another point is that excavating any kind of a foundation is to remove softer soil to get down to a suitable bearing material.