New granite sett driveway

[billbromley]

Hi,

I've been using this site for some time and I'd like to start by thanking all those who contribute their time and energy to it.

The advice and information have been very useful and have helped me to get as far as I have with my driveway. Now I need some specific advice.

Driveway plan:
- 70m² flexible construction.
- perimeter - concrete bedded granite setts (250mm x150mm x ~100mm thick) - already laid.
- linear drainage between 2 slopes ( one from house, the other from road) - in place.
- 12 cm mot - in place.
- 3 - 4 cms sharp sand + granite setts 100mm x 200mm x 50mm thick.
- Jointing - gravel and pitch.

I am at the stage of screeding and laying the setts. The setts bought vary in width: at least 50% are 90mm wide some 110mm. They also vary in thickness - between 35mm and 60mm, the majority being 40mm or 50 mm. There are also a fair number of irregular and wedge shaped stones.

Here are the questions:

1/ I cannot prepare a uniform screeded sand bed because of the differences in thickness and shape. If I bed each stone, what is the best procedure for getting an acceptable finished surface. Should I 'overestimate' the thickness of sand for the thinner stones to take into account the extra compaction of the sand ?
2/ Concerning the joints (pitch), the pavingexpert guide says to use gravel. Can I top up with sharp sand instead before compacting, or will the moisture in the sand be a problem with the molten pitch? If I have to use gravel what type (name) is it ? ( I have planned joints between 10 and 15mm thick ).

3/ What jointing product is adapted for this application: bitumen, coal tar pitch or other ? Where can I get hold of it ?

Well,I hope one of you experts out there can help me to shorten my learning curve.........

[cookiewales]

hi bill have a read of this http://www.pavingexpert.com/setts02.htm your meathod is for concrete block paving and wont work cheers cookie

[lutonlagerlout]

Hi Bill
^^ as cookie says

setts are laid on a 5:1 grit sand : cement mix

pitch pointing has more or less been debunked as not working

sorry mate
LLL

[billbromley]

Thanks guys,

The stones I ordered were meant to be calibrated for thickness....so rigid constuction it is.

I wanted to use pitch for the traditional look, would I get a similar aspect using a polymeric resin mortar ? The info here: http://www.pavingexpert.com/jointing12.htm dates from 2011.
What is currently the best DIY-user- friendly product ?

Cheers,

Bill

[lutonlagerlout]

probably the higher end 2 part resin products
although they work out expensive
sand and cement is the old favourite,washed off with acid the next day
I wouldnt use a 1 part polymeric on anything I wanted to last a long time
think its gftk vdw 850 that you need check out NCC streetscape's site
LLL

[cookiewales]

probably the higher end 2 part resin products
although they work out expensive
sand and cement is the old favourite,washed off with acid the next day
I wouldnt use a 1 part polymeric on anything I wanted to last a long time
think its gftk vdw 850 that you need check out NCC streetscape's site
LLL

if you can afford resin for random setts you may aswell get the cookie crew in to lay them