Advice needed pls about Blockpaving driveways

GVj

I, I am not sure if this is a place to post my query to get an advise from other experienced members here. pls direct me otherwise. We are due to change our driveway and while looking at Patterns in the Blockpaving, when we asked to have basket weaver pattern in the border we were told that it has the potential risk of sinking in future. The same was the response given when we expressed our wish to have 45degree herringbone pattern in the main design!. Wondering if there is a risk associated with these patterns when we have seen so many driveway in 45degree herringbone and some having basketwearvers as main!. Please can someone throw some light as I am unable to decide if we have to take a risk or just have usual 90dregree herringbone and normal border of a singlecolour..For any advise with a google search most of the time this forum has given an answer. Looking fwd to some advice..

Furts

I am confused by all this, but will state a couple of fundamentals. The blocks should be laid as herringbone, or something akin to this, on a drive. This gives interlock and prevents car steering scuffing up the blocks - a big problem that arose after block paving was introduced around 30+ years back. Then the edges will be straight blocks so there are no loose cuts, or part blocks at the edge of a drive. These would be at risk of lifting or being knocked - so they have to be full blocks.

EssexExile

I wouldn't employ someone who warns me it's going to sink before he even starts! After 17 years of flippin' block paving I've just replaced it with tarmac. Oh the relief.

cajef

EssexExile wrote: »

After 17 years of flippin' block paving I've just replaced it with tarmac. Oh the relief.

Agreed, our last property had a block paving driveway and path the ants loved them, every year we had ants laughing at us as they mined between the pavers and underneath to make nests with little sand hills everywhere, then when it needed cleaning all the sand washed out and had to be replaced, we swore we would never have block paving again.

Jonesya

I don't think the pattern should make any difference - for the driveway to settle would need the sub-base, which is the compressed crushed stone, gravel and sand under the blocks, to settle, or sink into the soil. This has nothing to do with the pattern of the blocks.

Suggest looking for another contractor.

Plenty of really good info here:
http://www.pavingexpert.com

Loads of info on block paving
http://www.pavingexpert.com/blocks.htm

getmore4less

depends how good the initial lay is.

double drive car length and a bit.

the only drop we have is around the main drain cover about 10mm.
and the row against the street pavement where ants took up home(easy fix if you catch quick)

The rest is still level after 20+ years even with full deep clean jet wash a few times requiring joint sanding.

The second phase of the estate a row of houses all had the block pave with 30-40mm drops and very wavy drives within 5 years.

glasgowdan

EssexExile wrote: »

I wouldn't employ someone who warns me it's going to sink before he even starts! After 17 years of flippin' block paving I've just replaced it with tarmac. Oh the relief.

Can you share the job size/cost at all?

EssexExile

glasgowdan wrote: »

Can you share the job size/cost at all?

Sorry I can't, it was part of major landscaping works that came to many thousands.

getmore4less

hope you got a credit for the blocks, worth quite a bit second hand.

EssexExile

getmore4less wrote: »

hope you got a credit for the blocks, worth quite a bit second hand.

Yup, £3000.