Patio - gaps and holes

moneysaver1978

Our driveway (block paving?) is in a decent shape and I am planning to get some setting sand to seal in gaps to prevent weed growth.

However, we are unsure what to do with the pavers in the back - it is a bit of a mess (see pics!) and we don't think the setting sand would work or look good.

Should we just use cement or similar? If so, is there a specific one (too many on Homebase to decide!). Sadly there are no pieces we could use but any tips to ensure the cement "blends" in? Ideally, I would love to replace the whole thing but need to MSE this!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

maybe some of the SCREWFIX stuff would do the job, different colours available.

stuart45

Get a bag of coarse, sharp sand and some cement. Mix up a 3/1, or 4/1 and fill in the gaps. Use a.pointing trowel to shape and finish.

FreeBear

Please, think twice about using polymeric sand on block paving. Regular sand will allow water to drain away between the gaps in the blocks. Putting something in that prevents water from draining away means the water will run off elsewhere. If this water goes into the street, it adds to the problem during periods of heavy rain - One household dumping extra water in to the drain is not going to contribute much to local flooding, but if everyone did it, then you have a problem.

Should the surface water flow towards the house, do you have mitigations in place to cope with more water ?

moneysaver1978

FreeBear said:

Please, think twice about using polymeric sand on block paving. Regular sand will allow water to drain away between the gaps in the blocks. Putting something in that prevents water from draining away means the water will run off elsewhere. If this water goes into the street, it adds to the problem during periods of heavy rain - One household dumping extra water in to the drain is not going to contribute much to local flooding, but if everyone did it, then you have a problem.

Should the surface water flow towards the house, do you have mitigations in place to cope with more water ?

We do have a drainage channel and a drain pipe at the bottom of the driveway (towards the house). Would this sufficient? If not, what are the other options?

ka7e

Maybe consider small plants as an alternative? Thyme, sedums, aubretia and saxifrage will grow in a little soil-filled gap if you like the informal effect.

FreeBear

moneysaver1978 said:

FreeBear said:

Please, think twice about using polymeric sand on block paving. Regular sand will allow water to drain away between the gaps in the blocks. Putting something in that prevents water from draining away means the water will run off elsewhere. If this water goes into the street, it adds to the problem during periods of heavy rain - One household dumping extra water in to the drain is not going to contribute much to local flooding, but if everyone did it, then you have a problem.

Should the surface water flow towards the house, do you have mitigations in place to cope with more water ?

We do have a drainage channel and a drain pipe at the bottom of the driveway (towards the house). Would this sufficient? If not, what are the other options?

Depends on whether the channel drains to a suitably sized soakaway or to the foul sewer - If it is to a soakaway that has been properly sized, you should be OK for all except the once in a 100 years event.

Postik

stuart45 said:

Get a bag of coarse, sharp sand and some cement. Mix up a 3/1, or 4/1 and fill in the gaps. Use a.pointing trowel to shape and finish.

^ This

It looks like crazy paving, and the mortar has crumbled away.  Remove any loose or crumbling bits, mix up some sand and cement (not too wet) and fill them with a trowel.

Silvertabby

FreeBear said:

Please, think twice about using polymeric sand on block paving. Regular sand will allow water to drain away between the gaps in the blocks. Putting something in that prevents water from draining away means the water will run off elsewhere. If this water goes into the street, it adds to the problem during periods of heavy rain - One household dumping extra water in to the drain is not going to contribute much to local flooding, but if everyone did it, then you have a problem.

Should the surface water flow towards the house, do you have mitigations in place to cope with more water ?

We use regular driveway sand treated with weed inhibitor (Wicks).  Not 100% at keeping the weeds at bay, but pretty good - and no drainage problems 

moneysaver1978

Postik said:

stuart45 said:

Get a bag of coarse, sharp sand and some cement. Mix up a 3/1, or 4/1 and fill in the gaps. Use a.pointing trowel to shape and finish.

^ This

It looks like crazy paving, and the mortar has crumbled away.  Remove any loose or crumbling bits, mix up some sand and cement (not too wet) and fill them with a trowel.

So a bag of cement https://www.wickes.co.uk/Blue-Circle-General-Purpose-Cement---25kg/p/224661 and a bag of sharp sand https://www.wickes.co.uk/Tarmac-Sharp-Sand---Major-Bag/p/131881 with a bit of water should suffice, right?

FreeBear

You won't need a whole 25Kg bag of cement with just one bag of sand - My local B&Q will often have damaged bags of plaster/sand/gravel/cement heavily discounted. Worth looking out for those