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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 6:39 pm
by newblock paver
Hi Im new to block paving so be gentle.
I have used and well aware of sharp sand however, my builders merchants has supplied what they describe as "Grit sand C/M grade"
I have never used this material and would apreciate some advice.
Is this a graded crushed stone?
Is it suitable for block paving or should I actually use sharp sand?
I can attach some photos if someone kindly tells me how to.
Please Help!
Thanks
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:40 pm
by Carberry
As far as I know grit sand is sharp sand. C / M means coarse / medium so it should be fine for block paving. It won't be crushed stone.
Can't attach photos, have to upload to something like photobucket, imageshack etc then post link here.
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:44 pm
by Bob_A
According to the main site c/m does mean coarse/medium
http://www.pavingexpert.com/aggs01.html#sand
Also grit sand is mentioned as the bedding layer for blocks so all seems well?
Taken from here
http://www.pavingexpert.com/blocks2.htm
Bedding layer
Also known as the "Laying Course"
The paving blocks or bricks should be laid directly onto a bed of coarse, grit sand, 25-40mm thick. This sand may also be known as sharp sand, concreting sand, Zone 2 or Class M - see the Sand section of the Aggregates page for a fuller explanation of these terms.
In some parts of Britain and Ireland, a grit or a stone dust (whin dust) is used in place of the more usual grit sand. Grit is also used with permeable paving and on some commercial applications. However, the vast majority of conventional projects are laid using a plain, simple, straightforward grit sand.
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:32 pm
by darrenba
This is the grit sand that my local quarry supplies:
Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 11:15 pm
by lutonlagerlout
it has many names but you need grit sand,sharp sand is for rendering
river wash sand
flooring sand
screeding sand
pratts yard sand
it is sand with small bits of grit no bigger than about 3-4mm
plastering sand is not suitable for block paving
LLL 
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:25 pm
by Big Phil
your builders merchant are correct mate. it's a coarse/medium grained sand
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:36 pm
by local patios and driveway
dont want to tell how to suck eggs but the science is: we need a course sand that the finer grit locks in with the larger grit and that stops the sand washing away from water erosion which is why using building sand will eventually lead to a sunken driveway (takes about 3-5 years before you see signs in most cases. i speak from experience after having to repair a bodge by someone else)
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 12:51 pm
by newblock paver
Thanks all
It would help if I could upload a picture(still trying).
Its not sand inb the true sense more like crushed stone along the lines Bob_A is saying.
what do you think?