Block paving using a rubber pad

[marcscorp]

hi all, ive been told that when i lay my drive with block pavours i need to use a rubber pad on the bottom of the wacker plate, do i really need this ruber thing as i dont have one? if i do were can i get one?

thanks in advance marc....

[dzscope]

no you dont have to use one just keep enough kiln dried sand in front of the wacker plate as you move along and you will find that the sand cleans and polishes the blocks up as well

[marcscorp]

thanks, i was getting a bit worried as i couldnt get hold of one, you learn something new everyday.

thanks marc....

[Nigel Walker]

It depends on what type of block you are using.

Marshalls Excel and Elite require the use of a rubber pad. I tried it once with normal plate - scraped the top off the blocks, made a right mess.

Your standard 200mm by 100mm and any Rumbled pavior only require the normal plate.

Sometimes its trial and error.


Nigel

[marcscorp]

the blocks im using are 200mm x 100mm x 50mm cheap brindle ones from wicks (i know).

[Paverman Dan]

In the States, its a good rule of thumb to use a cover over the compactor, cover the pavement with a geotextile or fabric, or cover it in sand to protect Generation One faced mixed pavers, and in some cases, profiled pavers, from scuffing during compaction into the sand setting bed.

The use of stone dust as a setting bed will also contribute to scuffing because of it's inferior paver seating qualities.

It is not neccessary to protect non-profiled antiqued pavers, since they are beat up any way.

[Tony McC]

Dan's tip about using a a doubled-up length of geo-textile (Terram or TDP etc) on the base of the vib plate is well worth remembering, just in case any of you get caught without a neoprene sole mat (the rubbery yoke fitted to the plate) when you've a delicate paver to consolidate.

Soles mats are also a great aid when consolidating clay pavers which can be somewhat brittle when rattled by an unprotected plate at high frequency.