The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue Jun 28, 2016 5:10 pm**

Hi,

I laid my driveway in 2010 using Bradstone Stonemaster, 50mm blocks, three shades of grey and four different lengths x 150mm wide. The driveway was laid 'coursed'.

I followed all the advice on this website at the time and was very pleased with the end result.

The driveway could now do with a pressure wash and re-sanding.

We have two cars which we park on the drive, both of which are driven on and off the drive at least once most days. I have noticed that this has resulted in a very slight depression where the wheels run. It is hardly perceptable but I notice it.

Would I gain any benefit in running a plate compactor over the drive during the re-sanding process to;
a) aid the sand penetration
b) even out the slight depressions
or, would in fact the plate compactor do more harm than good ?

Also, if the answer to a) and b) is yes, what size of compactor plate should I hire, my local Jewsons has a range of machines rated from 10.9kN to 16.5kN

Thanks

Posted: **Tue Jun 28, 2016 8:47 pm**

I would say No
these slight ruts wont be flattened by wacking
either live with it or take up and relay
LLL

Posted: **Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:29 am**

LLL is right. Don't use the plate on the drive as it is. The new sand will settle itself in without needing to be rattled.

However, if you do tackle the ruts (and there's a page on the website showing this being done) then you *should* use the plate to re-compact the relaid blocks.

Also, it's worth noting that StoneMaster (the best block Bradstone/Charcon produce, I reckon) benefits from having a neoprene sole fitted to the plate as it prevents minor chipping and spalling.

Posted: **Wed Jun 29, 2016 11:00 am**

Hi,

Thank you both for your advise, I will proceed without the compactor plate.

The depressions graduate over a width of approx 600mm to a maximum of no more than 5 - 10mm and don't seem to be increasing so I will live with them. They are probably most noticable where the first line of blocks butts up against the straight edge of the ACO drain on the pavement boundary. If they do get any worse over the years I may tackle that area.

I'm glad that you give the Stonemasters the 'thumbs up', we have been very pleased with them. The only drawback with laying a driveway with three different shades and four different sized blocks is that it gives you brain ache !!!

Thank you for an outstanding website.

Neil

The Brew Cabin

Re-sanding