Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:22 pm
I've got an existing block paved drive that I'm looking to widen. I'm pretty practical but have not done block paving before. I have read the site (very informative it is too) and reckon it's within my capabilities... however... I have a few questions...
The existing drive seems pretty well laid with a soldier course on a concrete bed and well haunched. Now, I'm wanting to expand the drive (and obviously match the level it is laid at - that's the tricky bit!) but not sure whether to leave the existing soldiers course where it is or pull it up and try to neatly continue the existing herringbone (bearing in mind there would be a concrete soldiers course underneath it!). I want to do this as easily as possible and really don't want to end up having to redo the entire existing drive because I've cocked it up. What would you suggest?
I've tried angle grinding the haunching back so that I can fit the new blocks up against the old blocks (the sub base is prepared already) but the old blocks come loose when I do this. Am I best trying to cement/mortar them back into place (might have to chabble away a bit first to get a good key) and then pave up to them or is it going to be easy enough to pull the entire soldier course up and continue the existing herringbone over the top without disturbing the already laid drive?
I really don't want this to be too difficult! What would you suggest?
Thanks in advance.
The existing drive seems pretty well laid with a soldier course on a concrete bed and well haunched. Now, I'm wanting to expand the drive (and obviously match the level it is laid at - that's the tricky bit!) but not sure whether to leave the existing soldiers course where it is or pull it up and try to neatly continue the existing herringbone (bearing in mind there would be a concrete soldiers course underneath it!). I want to do this as easily as possible and really don't want to end up having to redo the entire existing drive because I've cocked it up. What would you suggest?
I've tried angle grinding the haunching back so that I can fit the new blocks up against the old blocks (the sub base is prepared already) but the old blocks come loose when I do this. Am I best trying to cement/mortar them back into place (might have to chabble away a bit first to get a good key) and then pave up to them or is it going to be easy enough to pull the entire soldier course up and continue the existing herringbone over the top without disturbing the already laid drive?
I really don't want this to be too difficult! What would you suggest?
Thanks in advance.