Block paving questions

Deano37

Hi everyone , well are wanting block paving installed front of our house, very expensive but needs done. We have had a few qoutes and some company's say they use concrete base.

Last one we had done before moving it was just mot type 1 then sand and blocks can I ask your advice.

One response said For a driveway we dig to 200mm . Type 1 MOT subbase 100mm concrete foundation 30-40mm sharp sand screed Block. Without that exast base it will fail. 

Another company said they do the way we had last one done. Also it slopes towards road and a path that will eventually need concreted would you get aco drain fitted ? A load of houses in same street don't have aco drain and just rain just runs onto road.

Any advice welcome

Thanks Dean

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6660347/block-paving-questions

If you have a concrete base then the drive won't be permable so the water will have to run into a drain and I think not onto a footpath/road.

I would check with your local council for the rules that they will apply to driveways.

stuart45

It's quite common to use a flexible sub base for block paving.

MikeJXE

Using concrete is a needless expense

Boohoo

I don't know if this link is up-to-date but it's from .gov so who knows.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permeable-surfacing-of-front-gardens-guidance/guidance-on-the-permeable-surfacing-of-front-gardens

Bigphil1474

Is this front of house for garden, or front of house for driveway - different needs for supporting weight of a car. This might be of use -

https://www.labcwarranty.co.uk/hubfs/Technical%20Manual%20V11%20-%20Thumbnails/Technical%20Manual%20V11%20-%20Section%20PDF%20Downloads/Section%2014%20Driveways%20and%20Paving.pdf

stuart45

Concrete sub-bases are normally used when the blocks are laid on a mortar bed with mortar joints. A rigid bed is required as any movement would break the joints.

This method is more decorative, but also more expensive. It's also non permeable, so not normally suitable for driveways that allow water to run into the street drains.

Deano37

This is for a the front of my house, currently grass that slopes down towards a wall and path then road, i am getting all block paved wall knocked down so drive will be only the path the road, I think it should have a aco drain but looking at everyone else no one seems to bother.

I was shocked that a lot of the qoutes said concrete base. I think it will go with a company that only use a deep hardcore base.

I understand that the concrete may stop it sinking but just seems wrong and may fail in future, least if hardcore sinks a little bit you can take it up and repair the spot.

also have to decide beetween marshals kielder blocks or some.of the tobermore pavers.

TThanks dean

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929247#Comment_81929247

As I advised and gave a link you should check your local council website for advice or call them about this.

Your new drive may have to have french drain installed and connected to a soak away or surface water system to comply with local council.

I know someone who had a driveway done that wasn't permable and no drain and his friendly neighbour contacted the LA and had a visit and was told to dig it all up or install a surface drain as the water was running off onto the pavement and verge and causing large puddles.

stuart45

It also depends on the kind of ground you are on. With a very soft sub-soil you do sometimes find the paving has sunk a bit in places with a flexible sub-base. However, this is often caused by poor prep of it.

Councils nowadays don't want you paving your front gardens and sending all the water into their drains, because so many people are doing it and the drains can't cope with it. If you install an Aco drain it needs to go to a soakaway.

Non fines concrete allows water through, although they might not be using it.

Magic Concrete That Absorbs Water Instantly

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81929247#Comment_81929247

I think it should have a aco drain but looking at everyone else no one seems to bother.

You aren't supposed to allow water to run off your land onto a highway. The highway authority or local council can serve notice requiring the landowner/occupier to install whatever drainage is necessary to reasonably stop runoff onto the highway. Failing to comply with the notice is an offence.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/66/section/163

Many people don't bother installing drainage (maybe they don't know about the requirement) but it really comes down to how permeable the driveway is, and how much it slopes towards the highway. If the drive is level or slopes away from the highway then boundary drainage is unlikely to be needed. But the steeper the slope towards the highway, the more likely the highway authority might be justified in serving notice.

What you don't want to be doing is digging the driveway up after it has been finished in order to install drainage. Especially as you may need to put in a soakaway (if allowed) which means a largish hole.

As the area is currently grass you need to check to see whether you need planning consent and any other permissions, and it may be the highway authority will require you to put in (or modify) a dropped kerb.