Have the cowboys called - Have the cowboys called

[Danielwood]

Just a quick one I have had my driveway block paved.
And among other problems
I have since found that the contractors laid a layer of sand/scrapings (not sure what you would call it) that consisted of large sand and stone fragments which they wacker until it was hard enough to walk on, they have then laid the blocks directly on this without laying a screed layer

Is this a common method of block paving. or have I as I am starting to think been cowboyed.

[bobhughes]

Looks like you need the sherriff.

Have a look at the main site to see how it should have been done

[Dave_L]

Did they wear hats? Usually a giveaway.

More seriously - are these people contactable now or not?

[Stuarty]

Id guess not. Id guess unmarked white van, more than likely with motorway maintainance on the back of it. Done in a few days for cash. If im not right im shocked.

Did you get a written quote, with a specification of the job?

[Danielwood]

Its still okish, I still have my hands on the money,

the problem is that the drive looks very well done to the uniformed eye,
So I am just trying to get enough information so when I go back to them with my list of complaints they can not try and bluff me that the way they have done it is an accepted way.

But other problems include
Only 7 cm at most of subbase (they claim there was previous hard core below that) but I am not convinced.

poor drainage as because it was not screed the drive is not to even,

They laid the jointing sand when it was raining so it has not filled most of the joints just made a wet seal at the top of the joint.

haunching as a blob of cement on the end of the blocks

I have a friend coming round tomorrow who is a geological engineer to change strength and subbase construction.

An i am hoping to get an inspector from this site to come and do me a report.


So fingers crossed

[Stuarty]

Its good that you still have the money, very good infact. The drive could look very good at the moment, but in a few months time it could have rutted and other low spots where it has settled. There could have possibly been hardcore allready laid under the last surface you had. If it was in good order and of good depth it shouldnt need lifting and laying a new subbase.

Why they didnt screed the drive i have absolutly no idea.

Good luck

[lutonlagerlout]

probably cos sand costs £40 a tonne stuart, i see these type of clowns all the time round our way,the favourit at the moment seems to be 100mm of shap sand laid on mud then haunching the blocks with bricklaying mortar
the boggle minds
LLL

[Dave_L]

the boggle minds

Shouldn't that be reading the other way round, LLL?

I know, it was late! :p

[Stuarty]

not seen many of these types for a good part of the summer, maybe all of them have landed down your way LLL heh