Bricks sinking - Driveway sinking after 4 months

All forms of block paving, brick paving, flexible or rigid, concrete or clays, new construction or renovation
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Sover
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:13 pm
Location: Swansea

Post: # 13013Post Sover

We had a brick drive installed only 4 months ago by a registered Marshalls installer. A few weeks ago a single brick sank about 1 cm. Some days later it had fixed itself and risen. Now a whole section of about a dozen bricks have sunk and some of the bricks on the borders rise and fall when walked on. He has promised to return to fix the problem but in advance we'd like some idea of what is causing it and what we should expect him to do.
Thanks in advance for any ideas

Pic of the problems can be seen here.

My Drive

carlbeardsmore
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:07 pm

Post: # 13019Post carlbeardsmore

Did the contractor or yourself top up the sand in the joints after a few weeks of the drive being laid?

There does not look like there is much sand in the joints.

It is not that hard to lift a few square meters and relay them.

Did you see how much sub base went down before the screed sand?

Sover
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jul 17, 2006 5:13 pm
Location: Swansea

Post: # 13026Post Sover

Hi Carl, thanks for the response. The sand has never been topped up and it was not mentioned to us that this may be necessary. At least now I know what to expect them to do when they finally get back to us. Strange thing is though when we got up this morning everything is fine again and level! They seemed to put down a good base level of sand when they did it.(Couple of inches maybe, which we thought looked OK) Thanks again for the advice and will see how they progress.
:)

bobhughes
Posts: 276
Joined: Sun Nov 07, 2004 11:09 am
Location: Redditch, Worcestershire

Post: # 13036Post bobhughes

A couple of inches of sand.... OK. But what is under that?

Do you have any water drainage problems or tree roots?
You're entitled to the work, not the reward.
Bob

carlbeardsmore
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2003 3:07 pm

Post: # 13052Post carlbeardsmore

The jointing sand will settle over a few months. You then have to top it up. There is no need to use a vibrating plate again. The joint sand really adds strength to the pavement and without topping it up , some blocks can start to rock.

lutonlagerlout
Site Admin
Posts: 15184
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 12:20 am
Location: bedfordshire

Post: # 13260Post lutonlagerlout

that is really odd,i have seen driveways dip but never as regimented as that,could you perhaps have a leaking pipe under the drive??
normally once they sink they stay sunk!!
its curious thats for sure
regards tony
"what,you want paying today??"

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