Finishing the job - Contractor has chipped clay blocks

[uwoppit]

Firstly, thanks for a great site.

I have just had my front garden paved with Marshalls red-multi claypave. Unfortunately the contractor ran out of blocks with about 1m sq to go and is due to come back later in the week to finish. Inspite of this sand wash put down and swept over most of the blocks and the wacker plate run over them.

Two things have come to light: 1) the sand does not fill the joints, and 2) the edges to some of the bricks have been crushed at the top, or pieces broken off.

Am I correct in thinking that the sand should fill the joints to the surface, and that any damaged blocks should be replaced?

[Tony McC]

Yes: the sand should fill the joints, but as you stated, the contractor isn't finished yet and may be planning on topping-up when they return. Also, clay pavers have relatively wider joints than those normally found with concrete blocks, and so it's easier for the sand to be 'lost' from the top of the joint, especially during the first few weeks.

Regarding the crushed arrises - a neoprene (a bit like rubber) sole should have been fitted to the plate compactor prior to final consolidation to prevent just this problem. Crush and impact damage to clay pavers is a "known issue" and most contractors familiar with clays are aware that a sole is all but essential for this type of work. Obviously, if the pavers were the tumbled variety, crush/impact damage is no real problem, but with the Claypave products, I'd be insisting on the damaged blocks being replaced.

[uwoppit]

Thanks for the information which I read at lunchtime today. I phoned the contractor immediately afterwards and left a message on his voicemail about the use of a neoprene sole plate, and requested that the damaged blocks were replaced. To my delight one of his workmen came round at 4pm, replaced the damaged blocks, compacted them using the neoprene covered plate and brushed in the sand, finishing at 8pm.

My wife and I now have a beautifully finished job - and a contractor who is vowing to stick with concrete blocks in the future!

[Tony McC]

See! There are good contractors out there!

[Paverman Dan]

Its always good to hear a contractor responding quickly to a customer concern.

BTW, most Yank manufacturers reccomend neoprene covers or geotextile over face-mixed "generation one" smooth finished concrete pavers as well. They shouldn't crumble, but could scuff. I dont reccomend sand as a preventative measure, because the vibration from the wacker actually vibrates the "protective" sand away from it, making it useless against scuff protection.

I'm a concrete paver supporter, but I have to be fair to the clay guys!



Edited By Paverman Dan on 1119414889