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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:14 pm
by HayDown
Hi all
I want to lay a block paved drive next year. (|Im fast running out of money) In the mean time I need access to a new garage. The ground is currently a lawned area. Can I dig out and lay sub-base now and use the area to get to the garage now. On the block paving page it mentions putting the edging in before the sub-base, am I going to have probelms laying the sub-base first?
any info would be great, my car just wants to get in its new house 
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:36 pm
by Rich H
There's no reason why not. You can always dig out the sub-base later at the edges to put in the kerbs, the re-lay whatever extra material you need to get your base right.
The only problem I can see is that in every town across the country there are weed-infested sub-bases exposed to the elements where people were going to do the paving 'later'. If it gets like that you might end up digging it all out and starting again. Why not do the sub-base and invest in a tonne or three of pea shingle to keep it tidy. I reckon on about one tonne to 20 sq.m laid thinly.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:02 pm
by HayDown
Hi Rich H
Thanks for that, Ah yes I hadnt thought about the weeds.
Thanks again
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:28 pm
by Tony McC
Another alternative to dressing the sub-base in an attempt to control weed is to douse the whole area with sodium chlorate on a regular basis.
Even so, come next year you may find that the top of the sub-base is 'dirty' or contaminated with tracjed in mud and the like. In such circs, it's a good idea to scrpae off the top 20-40mm and replace it with fresh material just before you get around to laying the paving.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:40 pm
by HayDown
Hi Tony
Thank you
What a great site. I am spending hours on here reading up on everything. I find when anyone mentions anything to do with drains or paving I am quoting from the site. People are probably fed up with me saying "according to the paving expert this is how you do it"
I think its great that people who know what they are talking about are prepared to tell us diyers how to go about it and not charge us a penny.
Thanks again
HayDown
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 3:18 am
by Suggers
Hey - HayDown, I did what you're aiming to do - ie drive/path to house/patio at home - just sub-base all down and looked good - lack of funds / no time etc to finish - one year later I now regret bigtime - I would beg/borrow/steal the dosh to complete the whole job in one go, or wait. I reckon it's cost me half as much again to get back to where I was a year ago - phfew - all done now... wishin you all the best.
Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:53 am
by seanandruby
is there anywhere you can source some old sheets of ply to overlay type one to keep it clean?