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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 1:39 pm
by aardvark
Hi all, long time lurker at this site, first time poster.
Using the info I gained from this site I had a crack at paving my driveway. 80 square metres in total. *sigh*
Anywya, it's all down and I've brushed the dried sand in, however, I haven't wackered it in and it looks like it's about to rain.
I've seen plenty of posts on here about sub-bases and rain, but I can't find anything in relation to my problem.
Can I leave the driveway as is whilst it rains, wait for dry weather to come along, the wacker it and brush in some more sand?
Thanks,
Jason
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 9:00 pm
by Tony McC
Get it consolidated as soon as poss: ignore the threat of rain, it's of no great consequence, but final consolidation is an essential part of the construction process.
Brush-in what sand you can, preferably while the sutface of the blocks is dry, but even if damp, sprinkle some jointing sand over them, and the joints will partially fill. Run the vib plate over the pavement - it will rattle in more of the sand, but more importantly, it will consilidat and 'even out' the loose blocks. This will make the paving 'safe' for low speed vehiclur movement until such time as you can get the joints topped up.
Although the jointing sand is absolutely critical for the long term performance of the paving, in the immediate short term, getting the blocks consolidated is of greater consequence.
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2005 12:42 pm
by aardvark
Thanks Tony. After shovelling out 28 tonne of clay and bringing in 19 tonne of roadbase (all by hand, and on my own, since I can't afford to hire a bobcat - bloody new houses will suck you dry of money!) and then laying 80 square metres of pavers I think my brain has proceeded to collapse, hence my current bout of daftness and inability to comprehend even the slighest piece of information.
Anyway, I had some unexpected, non-house related, stuff come up that I had to take care of today and my plans to get the vibrating plate onto the pavers turned to pooh.
I have to work tomorrow and the forecast is for definite rain, then showers the day after before fining up again. I spent all evening brushing in every last grain of sand. So (and here's where my comprehension skills have gone AWOL):
Are you saying that the rain won't effect what I've already done and that I will be fine to get the vibe plate out when I next get a chance? (Provided I keep vehicles off of it!)
Should I wait for the jointing sand to dry up before running the plate over the pavers?
(By the way, great site! Before tackling this project I spent 2 months, off and on in between working, laying 80 square metres of sandstone tiles in my house. Having never layed a paver or tile in my life I figured that after doing the tiles that paving was going to be a cinch. WRONG!!!! Thanks for the great advice so far, will send pics when done.)
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 8:48 pm
by Tony McC
Put the plate over the sanded-up paving as soon as poss. If the sand is too wet, it will 'pump' up from the joints and collect on the surface. If this happens - stop! Give the pavement a day or so to dry out further and then try again.
Looking forward to the piccies