Block Paving advice

[dharmesh]

Can someone please help, currently having a driveway done and the contractor has broken all the paving slabs/concerte.. etc from the front and has laid this at the bottom. Some of it was sort of red in colour cause it was the pavement which was very strong and they had to use a drill to break it out. There was more fine hardcore stuff which them came on top and they compcated it out. So basically you cannot see any of the broken slabs..etc as they are underneath. At the top now its just all sort of brown with small stones ,.. etc on the top. They are then going to put a membrane and sand on top and compact it all out before laying the slabs.

I saw them diggng and belive they have dug about 12 inches deep and possibly 6-7 inches is the hardcore which includes both the existing broken slabs, conceret.. etc plus the other smaller stuff on top.

Once compacted is that all fine cause all you can see the smaller stones..e tc now on top?. Just want a bit of advice. Also how much of sand should they be then putting on top before laying the paving slabs.

Also at the back next to the garage is a small area which is just messy, they have just cleared the weeds.. etc and said don't need to dig down cause its only for walking. They have put the small fine hardcore which is a mixture of small stones, sand .. etc and will the put the membrane and stuff and compact it out. Being at the back I am going to have a Buff color bricks with Black border. Can I break the colour and put a few red's. The size is 5.5 m wide X 3 metres depth. Any design would be appreciated.

Does this sound right what they are doing.

Many thanks

[steve r]

Using your broken paving as a sub base can leave voids
and lead to settlement unless broken down into small pieces.
The membrane should be a geo textile and is placed below the sub base.
You should be able to find more detailed info. here
http://www.pavingexpert.com/blocks2.htm

Steve Rogers