The Brew Cabin

I've recently had some block paving laid (today). When I walk on it, there is a very slight movement in some of the blocks. Is this normal and will it bed down in time or has it been incorrectly laid? Also, where the block paving meets the outside perimeter, should it be "concreted" to the base or just pushed flushed against the perimeter? Sorry for the noddy questions but I haven't paid the contractor and want to ensure that it has been properly laid as I can lift up some of the perimeter bricks. thanks

has kiln dried sand been laid on the paving? then the paving been compacted down? then the sand been swept off?

the sand is a pink colour and is a very fine grain of sand, which gets down between the paving and holds it all together.

Either it hasn't been sanded correctly (see if pink sand is visible in all joins of the paving) or it hasnt been compacted correctly.

is there something solid the perimeter can go up against? like a fence or house? Apart from the perimetere not being sanded correctly (see above) it could be it needs haunching to hold it in place. Otherwise the paving will push itself along and the perimeter will lead the pavings way as it all slides down the street!

Check that the perimeter of your paving cannot move anywhere, otherwise there will be no strength in the paving. You shouldnt be able to lift out blocks if it 'has' been done correctly.

What paving have you had put down? and in what fashion?

The perimeter edging should always be bedded AND haunched, just running some concrete up to the edging blocks after all the blocks have been laid on sand just aint good enough, although I seen it all to often round my way.
Is this your situation? James

Thanks for your replies. I couldn't speak with the guy yesterday and have just spoken with him this morning. He said that his builders left when it started to rain and he needs to apply more sand and put on the whacker plate. He also said that he needs to haunch the edging. It all sounds a bit alien to me but, having looked around this website, sounds about right doesn't it?

The brick is an autumn gold and looks very nice.

I'm worried about the statement that they "need to haunch the edge". If this paving had been properly laid, the edge blocks would be haunched immediately after laying, or at least on the same day, regardless of the weather.

The method whereby a token haunching is applied to a sand-bedded edge block on completion of the paving is WRONG. It's the way the cowboys work, and usually lasts just long enough for the cheque to clear.

Have a look at the Laying Edge Courses page for info on how NOT to do it.

If there is some other vaild reason why the edge blocks weren't haunched after being laid, I'd be very interested to hear it!