Driveway being re-laid - question for experts

ProStuart

Hi,

We have contractors starting to re-lay our drive this week.  They came in on Friday and started pulling up the existing crazy paving.  I've noticed that whoever did the crazy paving originally seem to have laid it over the top of another layer of crazy paving.  

From everything I've read, the sub-base is the foundation for any well done drive so I'm assuming they'll need to pull up both layers of paving before they start putting anything down?

Thanks

Stuart

Mojisola

When we started preparing the ground to put down a new patio, we found three previous ones, each laid on top of the other.

We removed the lot and started again.

FreeBear

When relaying a drive or patio, you have no idea how thick the sub-base is without digging a few exploratory holes. Even then, that won't tell you if it is the same thickness across the whole area. A reputable contractor should be digging the whole lot out to be sure.

One would normally put down 100-150mm of crushed rubble or MOT1 as a sub-base (or more if you are expecting to park heavier vehicles). Once compacted, the top surface can be laid - Depending on the type of surface, you may need to apply for planning permission. Permeable surfaces such as gravel or block pavers don't need PP, tarmac & concrete will. 

TELLIT01

Yes, both layers of paving need to come up before any other work is done.  It's possible the old sub base will be OK but it will probably not be at the right level for the new paving. 

ProStuart

Thanks all - fingers crossed they do as expected tomorrow!!

FreeBear

Some pages for you to read - https://www.pavingexpert.com/ground-preparation

Plenty of good advice on that web site about all types of paving.

One thing that may surprise you is the amount of spoil dug out when doing a "proper job" - Did my driveway a couple of months back, just 30m², and had 17t taken away. Still got another 8-10t to get rid of.. For that sort of quantity, well worth using a grab hire service as it will work out cheaper than skips.

ProStuart

Thanks FreeBear - we agreed to a set price for the contractors to remove the spoil from existing driveway and re-lay new block paving.  We'll see in the morning when I ask "I assume that 2nd layer of crazy paving is going to be removed?"........

FreeBear

ProStuart said: We'll see in the morning when I ask "I assume that 2nd layer of crazy paving is going to be removed?"........

You also want to ask "how far down are you going to dig ?"

For my driveway, it was 250-300mm plus 1m for a SUDS crate.

fezster

Did they describe what they would do for the prep work? What size is the driveway and how much were you quoted?

The tell-tale signs of a professional outfit compared to cowboys can usually be answered with these 3 questions. They should have said to what depth they'd dig out, how many inches/mm of type 1 mot they'd put down and compact, and then what depth the sand and paving blocks will be to reach the finished height. The cost is usually approx £80/sqm, depending on what type of blocks are used and whether economies of scale come into play (eg. Bigger than 100sqm).