Diy advice please - Considering diy paving 55-65 sq/m

[jamesjackso]

Hi all,
i have been considering a diy job on my driveway for some time, it is a 2 car width drive sweeping round front bay window also. i would also like to continue the paving up the side of my house till the end of the house wall, only problem is i have 2 steps down at the side of house then 2 steps back up at rear (barrat cutting corners on groundworks)...also my neighbours side path is around 0.5-0.75 meters lower than my path...i was looking for advice as to the easist way to build up the side to finished level (flags on thier side haunched or concrete blocks??)..
i have some images and i have made a cad diagram but unable to post them at the moment
thanks in advance
james

[Suggers]

Why can't you post them at the moment?

[jamesjackso]

<img src="" border="0">

cant upload my cad drawing at the moment, but this is the house...the driveway will be around 1 meter wider on each side squared off at each side then curving around the front window, its also going to be all the way up the left hand side of the house till it meets back garden, you can just start to see the level change at the passenger side of car, this is going to be my problem area....im offshore at the moment hence i cant get more pictures of the problem area...

can anybody give me an estimate of the type 1 and sand req'd for this job, i reckon the size is prob 50ish m2? by the time i do the side path also. thinking 45 herringbne burnt ochre, charcoal soldier and ks edging at grass?....

thoughts and help much appreciated

[Tony McC]

If there are flag-on-edge retainers in place, use them rather than trying to replace them.

As for the material quantities, use the Block Paving Spreadsheet to do the sums for you.

[jamesjackso]

tony,
there are no retainers in place, the housebuilder has cut corners here, along the side of the house there is no support but if i was to raise the level to be the same as garage floor level then i would need some sort of retainer, looked at having a wall built, but as u know they can be quite expensive...

[Tony McC]

The flag-on-edge option is normally used between houses like this. It's effective; it's cheap; it's simple.

The other option would be to use one of the dry-build sectional retainer walls, such as Secura Minor, which is very cost effective for low-rise retainer walls and ideally suited to DIY.

[susie]

Heavens to Murgatroyd!!! Here I am practically going mad wondering the best way to give my drive, side path and rear of the house a face lift, when I stumble across this amazing site. I am a hardworking nurse, and whilst not feckless, my D.I.Y. skills are limited. Last year, purchased a property last year, which has required all manner of jobs doing to it, (including a new roof), which I didn,t anticipate. Thing is, There are are approx. 90 sq meters of broken concrete, with soil under. I cannot afford block paving, and wondered if I might get it just concreted, (not the imprinted stuff), and I was wondering if there are different colours? Perhaps someone might be kind enough to suggest something.
Thank you, in anticipation.

[centralcompactcrushers]

How about crushing the existing concrete and compacting over the soil, then gravel chippings on top? It will probably be the cheapest option, and certainly look better than concrete.

[Tony McC]

You *can* get coloured concrete, but it's more expensive than plain. Just call your local readymix supplier.

You might want to read this page

[susie]

How about crushing the existing concrete and compacting over the soil, then gravel chippings on top? It will probably be the cheapest option, and certainly look better than concrete.

Thanks very much for your advice. Mt neighbour has done this and it looks good.

Unfortunately, a member of my family is in a wheelchair, I will not be able to choose this alternative.

[susie]

You *can* get coloured concrete, but it's more expensive than plain. Just call your local readymix supplier.

You might want to read this page

Thanks..I shall be making enquiries this coming week. I think it seems a good idea.