Block paving is not as difficult as it may seem to someone who is inexperienced. In this definitive guide, we are going to share information about installing block paving Essex. If you choose to do-it-yourself, this guide will come handy. We have included all the necessary information to ensure that you are fully prepared before you start to convert your driveway idea into reality.
Start with design
Depending on the project you will need to draw up a design that details all your requirements. Are you trying to install a new driveway or replacing an existing one? It may be that you are trying to completely landscape the front of your house in order to make it low maintenance. Once you are particular about your requirements you can begin with the selection of the types of blocks you want. Colour is important as you do not want the blocks to look out of scheme and they should go with the house bricks.
Excavation
Depending on the size of the job, you may require more than a hand shovel, and a mini excavator for most projects. However, if you already have a solidified existing driveway you have to hire a JCB to excavate it. This will save you a lot of time, not to mention the backbreaking work. For excavation, you need to mark the area and dig out the area to the desired level. If there is adjoining building then you want to keep the trench level 150mm below the damp proof coating in the brick.
Also, you might not want to keep the excavated area to be flat as it will allow water to get accumulated and will cause a mess. It is important to keep the area sloped to allow dispersion of water. This is one of the best driveway paving ideas you can implement.
Install edge restraints
Now it is time to create a concrete foundation for which you will need to mix one part cement with six parts ballast. The foundation needs to be at least 100mm thick because the edge restraint or kerb unit will sit on top of this foundation. Now you have to mortar the kerb units to the foundation using a rubber mallet or trowel. It is important to let the kerb units settle down completely because they will be supporting the blocks.
Create Sub-base
Then it is time to create a sub-base using MOT Type 1 Roadstone concrete. You can also use the Type 1 crushed concrete for this sub-base. The layer of sub-base must be 50mm thick. Once laid, you need to level and compact the sub-base using the vibrating plate. You should pass the vibrating plate over an area at least 7 times to ensure that it is thoroughly compacted.
Screeding
Once sub-base is laid and properly compacted, you need to apply a layer of damp sharp sand. The layer has to be 50mm think and properly compacted using the vibrating plate. Then again, apply a 20mm layer of sharp sand that has to be levelled using screeding rails, string lines and straight edge.
Paving installation
Now the block paving Essex installation begins, remember to start laying blocks from the bottom of the slope. When placing blocks on the top of the laying course, make sure they are around 10-15mm above the desired finished level.
Continue paving in a pack of 3 to 5 blocks so that you can minimize any colour banding. Once the blocks are laid, you have to cut the blocks in smaller sizes to fill the gaps. For this, you will either need a diamond disc saw or a block splitter.
Finishing up
Once the blocks are properly laid and there is no gap, sweep the new driveway thoroughly to get rid of any debris. Now apply kiln dried sand and sweep across the whole driveway to ensure that the sand falls into the joints of the blocks. As you fill the kiln dried sand into the joints, it is then time to compact the driveway with a vibrating plate. You again need to apply kiln and compact using vibrate plate, keep repeating until the joints are full packed with the sand.
This is the ultimate block pavingguide than you need to follow to make your driveway paving idea a reality.
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