Sinking after 9 months? - Block paving sunk above soakaway

[stumac49]

I've had a block paved driveway installed back in June 2011.

Recently noticed that the paving in the area where the soakaway was placed has sunk. The area does 'pond' if we get heavy downpours.

Should this have happened after only 10 months?

Should I be contacting the installer and request that he remedies this? Is it an easy fix?

Thanks,
Stu.

[Carberry]

Shouldn't happen at all, let alone after 10 months.
Not sure if it is an easy fix or not, would need photos.

[stumac49]

Thanks for the reply. I thought as much regarding it not happening at all.

Has this happened because they didn't compact enough in that area?

I will take some photos tonight and post asap.

Thanks again.
Stu.

[lutonlagerlout]

it shouldnt of happened but its a relatively simple fix
lift affected area more stone ,compact and relay

LLL

[Pablo]

I'd go further than just topping it up with stone the chances are it's not fully settled yet so will sink again. Whenever I've dug any hole in the driveway I always cap it with 150mm of leanmix over some terram making sure the edges overlap by 200mm at least all the way round. The fella that installed it is liable for the repair you should get him out to discuss what he can do to sort it.

[mickg]

I agree with Pablo, I always cap the soak a way with 150mm lean mix

[Dave_L]

I haven't had to cap off a soakaway cell installation yet with leanmix - always make sure there is 300mm of stone over the top min and whack it to refusal with a 65kN trench rammer, job done.

Not had one fail yet......

[DNgroundworks]

Would that not demolish the cells Dave?

[Dave_L]

Would that not demolish the cells Dave?

I wouldn't have thought so, monitor the compaction levels as you go in layers - I only use the trench rammer over the final stone buildup.

[lutonlagerlout]

if they are installed correctly with textile etc they should be sound
but personally i would avoid under a drive where possible and if it had to be there use leanmix as described
LLL

[Dave_L]

Wrapped in textile and surrounded by single-size chipping. Vertical loading of the 6LB100 (Blue) units is 56ton/m2, so well within. Doing a cell installation tomorrow on a big driveway.

[stumac49]

Thanks for the replies.

So should I ask the question - "did you put a lean mix of 150mm on top?"

I'm not hopeful about getting a good response from the contractor. Towards the end of the job it felt like it was a case of hurry and get done and get out (they did lose two days to torrential rain, so can understand his concerns about moving on to the next job). And at completion when I asked if he'd be back to fill any joints that needed re-doing (as the spec given on this website) he said - "no, won't need to, because we wet jointed it all, there's loads of sand in there."

I thought the rule was DON'T do the kiln dried sand when it's raining?

I spent the first month refilling the joints myself as I didn't want to go through the hassle of asking him back.

I will have to contact him now though as I'm not happy with the sinking.

If I don't get a good reaction is it worth contacting Brett as he's meant to be an 'approved installer' and ask for them to get involved?

I do actually like my drive apart from the sinking bit!

Thanks again.
Stu.

[local patios and driveway]

Well if he is brett approved then yes i would complain, as an approved installer you pay the money and expect the best. Let them deal with it

[lutonlagerlout]

you can do slurry jointing but anyone worth their salt goes back to a block drive after 4-6 weeks and tops it up
the rain has nothing to do with you stumac
LLL