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Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:12 pm
by tlg
Hi
I have just had block paving installed on my drive. Overall I am pleased with the work that has been done but I am concerned one side doesn't look like it is finished.
One side has a pin kerb (which was there when the drive had tarmac on), the other side has no edge just a strip of concrete before the grass.
I was expecting some edge or kerb, I have attached a photo - does this look correct or would I need an edge or kerb. The installer has said that I can just run the grass up to the side of the block paving but I am not sure how well grass would grow on top of the concrete strip??
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:27 pm
by rimexboy
Hi looks not bad to me but i do see you have some very small "Darts" on the curve section, as for no edging i would say the contractor is right in saying grass will grow on it, and to be honest thats what i would do with it to tidy the edge up..
hope that helps simon
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:48 pm
by tlg
Thanks for your reply.
From seeing examples of other work I think I expected an edge or kerb to finish off.
What do you mean by 'darts' on the curve section?
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 2:18 pm
by London Stone Paving
I would want to see some kind of edging stone laid around the outside. The haunch is essential to hold the block paving in place but it looks bitty and unfinished and could have been done to a better standard. . Maybe you could ask your installer to come back and put an edge in. It will cost more money but would be a big improvement.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:30 pm
by seanandruby
That haunching is shite. It is only sand and cement by the look of it, won't be long before the main body starts migrating. You need to get the contractor back and tell him to install a proper edging course on concrete.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 3:51 pm
by rimexboy
well like i said i am just a DIYer and the guys know what they are going on about but as for the "darts" click here and look about half way down the page...
simon
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:59 pm
by seanandruby
rimexboy wrote:well like i said i am just a DIYer and the guys know what they are going on about but as for the "darts" click here and look about half way down the page...
simon
Not being picky rime' but if as you say your 'just a diyer', how come you have ganger in your title ???
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:15 pm
by rimexboy
seanandruby wrote:rimexboy wrote:well like i said i am just a DIYer and the guys know what they are going on about but as for the "darts" click here and look about half way down the page...
simon
Not being picky rime' but if as you say your 'just a diyer', how come you have ganger in your title ???
ive no idea at all i think it changes as your post count increases... not 100% sure though
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:23 pm
by haggistini
very rough! should have some edge there properly haunched
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 6:26 pm
by dig dug dan
that looks suspiciously like they have not concreted in the edges at all. The classic, lay then cut, but don't bother with the concrete underneath the edges
Can you lift up a block to investigate what is beneath? sand i suspect ???
The darts are not good too. Was this a professional, or a door knocker?
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:16 pm
by GB_Groundworks
Those darts(anything under half a block) will be gone first time someone walks drives or farts on them, it should have an edging coarse laid on a decent proper concrete haunch. As Sean said that looks suspiciously like bricklaying mortar which would then infer that there might be more issues.
See the main site about kerbs and edging
Rimex I ain't being funny or nowty but maybe qualify your posts in the first instance like it looks ok to me as a diy'er but the lads who do it for a living might have something to say about it..... Etc
It changes with posts or you can set your own in your control panel like mine says groundworker etc
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1301174533
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:47 pm
by rab1
that edging looks crap, the darts are wrong. get whoever you paid to lay it back and ask them politely to fix. the fact your here means your not impressed as well.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:22 pm
by tlg
dig dug dan wrote:that looks suspiciously like they have not concreted in the edges at all. The classic, lay then cut, but don't bother with the concrete underneath the edges
Can you lift up a block to investigate what is beneath? sand i suspect ???
The darts are not good too. Was this a professional, or a door knocker?
I will try and lift a block in the morning to see what is underneath. The job was done by a professional company.
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:27 pm
by tlg
GB_Groundworks wrote:Those darts(anything under half a block) will be gone first time someone walks drives or farts on them, it should have an edging coarse laid on a decent proper concrete haunch. As Sean said that looks suspiciously like bricklaying mortar which would then infer that there might be more issues.
See the main site about kerbs and edging
Rimex I ain't being funny or nowty but maybe qualify your posts in the first instance like it looks ok to me as a diy'er but the lads who do it for a living might have something to say about it..... Etc
It changes with posts or you can set your own in your control panel like mine says groundworker etc
I suspected it should have an edging course but wasn't sure.
Thanks for the advice on here it is greatly appreciated although I am now slightly more concerned about the overall job after reading some of the comments. 
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 11:38 pm
by tlg
rab1 wrote:that edging looks crap, the darts are wrong. get whoever you paid to lay it back and ask them politely to fix. the fact your here means your not impressed as well.
They haven't been paid yet.
I was told not to pay anything until the job was completed to my satisfaction, although reading their contract terms and conditions their five year guarantee is not valid if the full payment is not made on completion.
The drawing and contract (not signed by myself) were pushed through my door after they finished the job and it looks to me like the drawing shows an edge around the entire drive. The contract also states a charcoal soldier course will be applied but the only place a soldier course has been done is the start edge of the drive adjacent to the road.