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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:35 pm
by Bern_M
Hello All,

New poster so please take it easy!

I'm renewing my driveway with Marshalls Drivesett Duo range blocks (my father-in-law had his drive renewed on an insurance job because of fading so I have taken the old up and am planing on putting them down), I need some advice on a few things.

The existing drive is tarmac and edged with concrete slabs, i've done an exploritory dig and have got to 300mm of hard core etc and stopped as I thought this would be deep enough to reuse. As I took the tarmac off (50mm) and then what I can only discribe as ballast (large grit sand 75mm), before hitting a very compacted hardcore layer. My 1st question is that if I take off the tarmac 50mm and the 75mm of ballast! what is the thickest depth you guys advise I can have my sharp sand, as I would be looking at 75mm?

I'm widening the drive slightly as I have some spare ground on one side and paving on the other. Once I dig this out can the tarmac be used as a hardcore substitute or is it too soft? If its too soft for the driveway, could it be used for the pathway to the side?

As you can gather from the questions, I want to save money where possible!

Last piece of advice, the shape of the drive has a curve and straight section and was looking for how the pro's would lay the blocks? I have included a map below showing the area. The grey area is the drive and the brown is where I will be widening the driveway.

Thanks for any advice.

Bern

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Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:56 pm
by Stuarty
Hey Bern

75mm is too deep for the sand. I try to keep it to 40mm max of sharp sand. You would need to add 35mm of hardcore and wack it. Tarmac is too soft to be used as a hardcore substitute, you will need to dig the depth out and put hardcore in. You could use it under the path if you were really intending to. I dont use anything but hardcore for a subbase though. There will be plenty of cuts because the drive goes round a bend, but start at a straight edge and work your way in, ie from the street in.