Sand levels - Are there any problems if it is to deep?

All forms of block paving, brick paving, flexible or rigid, concrete or clays, new construction or renovation
Post Reply
Grant paving
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:04 pm
Location: bromley

Post: # 15161Post Grant paving

I am laying block paving and have ended up getting my depths a bit wrong firstly I dug down to deep so used a load of MOT about 15 -20 cm but thought that this would be o.k. because it will be a stronger base but now that I have done my edges and brought it level with the existing road and 15cm below the houses membrane level I still a depth of around 10 -15 cm which I have started to fill and level with sand my question is will there be any long term problems having this kind of depth of sand or will it be o.k.?
Grant

Stuarty
Posts: 637
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:35 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Post: # 15163Post Stuarty

That sort of depth is far too deep for the sand. It will sink. Alot. Recommended depths for sand are between 35mm and 50mm. I would take out the sand you have put in and get the level with the MOT.

Grant paving
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:04 pm
Location: bromley

Post: # 15168Post Grant paving

Thanks for the reply just one last question is 50mm the most i can use as i now have a load of sand and that i need to use up ?
Grant

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

Post: # 15173Post lutonlagerlout

dont make 1 mistake into 2 ,dig the sand out add more type 1 till you get to the correct level ,then put your 35-50 mm layer of sand on this
most lads use electrical conduit as screeding bars and this is only an inch
years ago i was forced/coerced into laying a drive on 100mm of sand,i went back last year and the result was pretty much catastrophic :(
confession over ,how many hail marys stuart????
cheers LLL
"what,you want paying today??"

YOUR TEXT GOES HERE

Stuarty
Posts: 637
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2006 7:35 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Post: # 15176Post Stuarty

I got cornered into something similar, at the time i didnt really know any better cos i was just a new start back then. Passed the job a few months back, the image still haunts me. If i pass something ive done i normally have a good look and think to myself, "i did good there". But on this occasion i was ashamed to admit i had a part in that job. If i recall correctly the sand was around 110 / 120mm sand. Was with a guy who "done it all". Didnt want to tell the boss he buggered up the calculations, so he just put the stuff in regardless. Needless to say once he was found out he was sent marching, tbh i thought i would have been too.

Grant paving
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:04 pm
Location: bromley

Post: # 15183Post Grant paving

Thanks again for the feedback have my MOT ordered and will make sure i get me depth right this time :D.
Finally i read that you can't lay block paving on wet sand but due to the recent weather all the sand is wet or damp can you please clarify if this will casues a problem if i do and if so do i have to wait for the sand to dry out a bit?
Grant

Post Reply