How do you lay a block sett?
Lay your cropped granite setts in the mortar bed, placing them 8 to 15mm apart. Bed the setts down firmly into the mortar by tapping them lightly with a rubber mallet. Use a trowel to fill the joints with of four parts sand to one part cement. The mix should be of a “wet” workable consistency.
How deep should a sub-base be for a driveway?
For a standard sub-base of bound or unbound material, it needs to be a minimum of 100mm deep, and for a bitumen bound material, at least 50mm. For public paths, highways or heavy uses, that number increases.
Is block paving a DIY job?
Brick and block paving is a hugely rewarding DIY Job but, like most jobs in the Building Industry, one that requires good preparation to get the best job.
How thick should the sand be under block paving?
25-40mm thick
Bedding layer The paving blocks or bricks should be laid directly onto a bed of coarse, grit sand , 25-40mm thick.
How deep should you dig for block paving?
The typical excavation depth is 200-250 mm below the finished paving level (this comprises 100-150 mm sub-base, 40 mm sand bed and 50 mm block or brick). The ground should be excavated to a gradual slope to allow surface water to run away and not pool on the surface.
What can I use instead of a Wacker plate?
Ideally a small wacker plate would be beneficial to compact it but a hand tamp will do an ok job although you’ll have arms like popeye when you finish.
How do you compact without a compactor?
A lawn roller or hand tamper can be used to compact the moist soil, or you can walk over it.
Can I use 20mm gravel as a sub-base?
0-20mm ballast is perfect for sub-base and concrete foundations. 20mm screened ballast is versatile and can be used on driveways, footpaths, oversite fill as well as sub-bases.
Can I use old bricks as sub-base?
It will be fine.
Is block paving a hard job?
Laying block paving is hard physical work and has to be done well to avoid having to redo it all. Paving a driveway is therefore the perfect project for summer, especially while we’ll all be spending more time at home for the foreseeable future.
What causes block paving to sink?
Most block paving sinkage is due to insufficient support from a sub base. For many years (prior to the wide use of Type 1 MOT stone) driveway areas were filled with left overs from building sites commonly known as ‘hardcore’.
Do you compact sand before laying block paving?
Laying and screeding sand Apply a 50mm layer of damp sharp sand – it should be moist enough to compact, which you’ll be able to test by creating a ball of sand with your hand. If it doesn’t fall apart, it’s suitable to use. Once applied, use a vibrating plate compactor to compact it down and screed it.
Why does block paving sink?
Do you have to Wacker hardcore?
Compact the hardcore Use a wacker plate to compact and level the hardcore. It’s not essential, but stops the rubble moving around while you lay the slabs, making the base solid.