Building foundations

All forms of block paving, brick paving, flexible or rigid, concrete or clays, new construction or renovation
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66-1093879049

Post: # 3206Post 66-1093879049

I've looked around the website and can't find anything about my problem with foundations, so here goes:
I'm currently doing a job where the concrete foundations for the garage were only about 20mm below the existing concrete path level. The path came out no problem but I was left with the foundations protruding about 200mm sideways into the path area to be block paved. I raised the finished paving level and removed a small amount of the foundations but this took hours because I was trying to not to interfere too much with the foundations. What do you suggest in this situation - is it acceptable to cut vertically downwards into the foundations to allow the blocks to rest upainst the wall. If so, what tool would do this. My disc cutter is too bulky and could not be used to cut vertically downwards anyway.

84-1093879891

Post: # 3207Post 84-1093879891

It's never a good idea to cut into a concrete raft because you risk exposing any steel reinforcing, which then starts to rust, expand and shatter the concrete.

In such a situation, my preferred workaround is to lay the paving as per normal, but then use a coloured granolithic mortar over the top of the concrete foundation and mark it to give the impression of block paving. So, if you were doing a vbrindle and charcoal typical layout, the coloured grano would be black and then you can use the edge of the float or a trowel to mark in the false joints, ever 100mm or so.

It's not ideal, but it's a lot better than nibbling away at a foundation!

66-1093879049

Post: # 3225Post 66-1093879049

Ok thanks for the quick reply.
I'll probably end up doing that next time.

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