Tony,
I'm doing a block paved drive at the moment and I'm now at the stage of laying blocks. The block laying will probably take about three days and I've got a couple of questions in relation to this:
1. Is it best to fit cut blocks at the end of each day and compact the blocks I've laid (to within a metre of the unrestrained edge), or would it be better to lay the entire drive and then cut in and compact (this would mean some of the blocks wouldn't be compacted for about 3 days)?
2. At the end of each day should I cover any blocks that haven't been compacted with taupaulin?
Many thanks and regards
Gary
Large drive
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Tony McC
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Sorry for delayed answer - Mrs Taz had the lurgy over Easter so I had to look after and entertain the Reichskinder. Oh joy!
I prefer to cut-in at the end of each day, spending 30 mins or so "fastening-in" those areas I know are correctly aligned, and then ramping a few spadefuls of sand at the leading edge to help hold those blocks in place overnight.
However, I know some contractors prefer to leave all the cutting-in until the ground is covered, and while there's nowt drastically wrong with working this way, it seems to me a better plan to fasten-in and keep the litter and cat crap out of the edges as much as poss.
I'm not a fan of covering un-compacted blocks unless I know there's likely to be a lot of heavy rain overnight or we won't be back to the job for a week or so. In all cases, I much prefer to get blocks compacted and sanded at the first opportunity.
I prefer to cut-in at the end of each day, spending 30 mins or so "fastening-in" those areas I know are correctly aligned, and then ramping a few spadefuls of sand at the leading edge to help hold those blocks in place overnight.
However, I know some contractors prefer to leave all the cutting-in until the ground is covered, and while there's nowt drastically wrong with working this way, it seems to me a better plan to fasten-in and keep the litter and cat crap out of the edges as much as poss.
I'm not a fan of covering un-compacted blocks unless I know there's likely to be a lot of heavy rain overnight or we won't be back to the job for a week or so. In all cases, I much prefer to get blocks compacted and sanded at the first opportunity.
Site Agent - Pavingexpert
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GaryN
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Thanks for reply Tony, hope your wife is feeling better now.
A few more questions!
1. Is it a good idea at the end of each day to fill in the joints with kiln dried sand to help lock and seal the area that's been paved leaving the compacting till the end of the job (which would be maybe a few days later)?
2. What are your views on compacting the section that's been paved at the end of each day(if this is viable would it be okay to compact up to a metre away from the unfinished edge?
3. Am I right in thinking that only heavy rain would cause any adverse effect to uncompacted paving and by brushing in the kiln dried sand would this prevent/ reduce the effects of the rain?
Many thanks and regards
Gary
A few more questions!
1. Is it a good idea at the end of each day to fill in the joints with kiln dried sand to help lock and seal the area that's been paved leaving the compacting till the end of the job (which would be maybe a few days later)?
2. What are your views on compacting the section that's been paved at the end of each day(if this is viable would it be okay to compact up to a metre away from the unfinished edge?
3. Am I right in thinking that only heavy rain would cause any adverse effect to uncompacted paving and by brushing in the kiln dried sand would this prevent/ reduce the effects of the rain?
Many thanks and regards
Gary
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Tony McC
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danensis
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Tony McC
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