Patio project - Newbie to this

[hodgevaldo]

Hi, I am currently planning to do my driveway which is in a bit of a state and I have a couple of questions.

Current state of driveway:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glennhodges/shares/DLE561

I am planning to dig 250mm below surface level, I will get some in to do the digging using an electric road breaker.
They will pile the rubble up and get a grab lorry to collect.
Once that is complete, I will have MOT Type 1 installed and flattened. Then lay the sharp sand and flatten and then lay the patio blocks. After that will spread sand over the area and flatten again.
Please let me know if that sounds like a bad plan.

One of my queries are around the concrete to be dug up. Can this be used within the MOT? Does the whole area need to be cleared of the concrete and do I have to use MOT Type 1 to fill the whole area?

[sy76uk]

You'll also need an edge restraint, either a kerb or edging.
If you use a 150mm edging laid on 100mm of concrete with a good haunch either side it will stop your base or paving from spreading.
Lateral pressure stops block paving from moving.
Make sure your haunch on the inside of your edging is at lest 80 below the top of the edging to allow for your 50 or 60mm block plus your bed of sand.
You can also lay geotextile textile membrane to aid with ground stabilisation and to prevent your sub base mixing with the sub grade.
When laying your sub base, do so in 75mm layers compacting well after each layer.
Use taught string lines at finished level and measure the distance between the line and the base to ensure your base is at the correct level.
You'll want the depth of the block plus 30 to 40mm for the bedding sand once the base is compacted.
Follow this guide and all you'll have to do is get the paving looking nice.
Good luck.

[Tony McC]

If you have the ability to crush the broken-out concrete down to 40mm or less, then it could be used to complement the sub-base, but what you mustn't do is just have lumps of concrete within the sub-base.

There are very good reaons for why we use a Type 1 sub-bas ematerial. these are more fully explained on the main website, which I strongly recommend you read before going any further.

[hodgevaldo]

Hi, I just want to make sure on something.

With the edging, all i was going to do was to lay the paving blocks against what is currently there for the edging already. It is a driveway already and has firm stability from all sides. Is it necessary for me to add edging blocks and haunch them. The steps i was going to follow were:

- Dig 250mm
- Lay subbase of 75mm and then compaact
- Lay subbase of 75mm and then compact again
- Lay sand, screen and then compact.
- Lay ALL paving block including ones for the edging.
- Lay sand over paving blocks
- Compact
- Cover with sealent, https://www.selcobw.com/bostik-....k-5-ltr


I think I have everything covered, its the edging where I dont think I need to complete this as it already has a firm structure against it?

[r896neo]

If you already have a kerb then go nuts. Usually the kerbing has been installed though to suit the driveway finishing material so may not be straight and suit your levels? If your happy to use the existing kerb and its deep enough then of course you can.

[hodgevaldo]

Actually, looking at the forum, i dont think i have a proper edge restraint.

Can the edge restraint be a paving block?

[seanandruby]

Yes it can be a paving block, as long as it is laid on 100ml of concrete and haunched. The mass concrete will act as a good edge restraint. The
Only thing is it will only give you 15ml of soil cover over the concrete.

[sy76uk]

I put 200mm under a 50mm block personally. That way it retains the whole of the sub base as well.

[hodgevaldo]

200mm of concrete?

[sy76uk]

Yes but you'll find using a 900x150x50mm concrete edging quicker and easier than laying blocks on concrete.

[hodgevaldo]

do you have any recomendations for what edgings to use?

I will be using this as my main patio block.
http://shop.lordsbuildersmerchants.com/product....1001491

[hodgevaldo]

Is this suitable for edging a driveway

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Marshal....7

[seanandruby]

Only if your edging is above paving, if it's going to be level then you want thesquare plain top.

[hodgevaldo]

I am going to use this for the edging, it goes 150mm deep,
http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/flat-to....dV78IVA

just to make sure, should this go on all edges of the driveway? I would have though it wouldn’t need to at the base of the house?

Photo may help?
https://www.flickr.com/photos....-DLE561

[seanandruby]

:;):