Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:22 pm
Hello all,
I have spent the last couple of days reading the info over at https://www.pavingexpert.com/block-paving with particular emphasis on Paving over an existing surface within the faq's as I want to relay the block paving driveway on an ex-council property I have just purchased.
I have a reasonable understanding of block paving construction but this particular driveway has been giving me some concerns.
The driveway is over 20 years old and has been very poorly installed. It has been laid on top of multiple layers of old concrete slabs with a grit bed, and has no sub-base or sand bed.
Photo of the construction below:-
I was thinking of removing the paving, grit, and the first layer or two of the old slabs to give me adequate depth for an approx 150mm type 1 sub base and a 50mm sand bedding, however, it is obvious that the slabs below will be in poor condition and badly settled.
My plan was to compact the type 1 sub-base in multiple layers, hoping that this would fill any cracks in the old surface. Before proceeding I have done some reading and I am now concerned that the old slabs could still move or settle and have an impact on any new paving.
I was also thinking of possibly building a block retaining wall to support and hide the exposed slabs, I have marked up the image below to show this:-
So basically my questions are:-
1. Is it possible to 'revive' this driveway without removing all of the old slabs? I don't want to have to remove all of the old slabs as it will result in my sub-base costing a fortune. I would rather try and work with the existing slabs, if possible.
2. Would the retaining wall I have suggested in the image above be beneficial?
I have also attached another couple of images below to give a better idea of what I am working with.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading this post
I have spent the last couple of days reading the info over at https://www.pavingexpert.com/block-paving with particular emphasis on Paving over an existing surface within the faq's as I want to relay the block paving driveway on an ex-council property I have just purchased.
I have a reasonable understanding of block paving construction but this particular driveway has been giving me some concerns.
The driveway is over 20 years old and has been very poorly installed. It has been laid on top of multiple layers of old concrete slabs with a grit bed, and has no sub-base or sand bed.
Photo of the construction below:-
I was thinking of removing the paving, grit, and the first layer or two of the old slabs to give me adequate depth for an approx 150mm type 1 sub base and a 50mm sand bedding, however, it is obvious that the slabs below will be in poor condition and badly settled.
My plan was to compact the type 1 sub-base in multiple layers, hoping that this would fill any cracks in the old surface. Before proceeding I have done some reading and I am now concerned that the old slabs could still move or settle and have an impact on any new paving.
I was also thinking of possibly building a block retaining wall to support and hide the exposed slabs, I have marked up the image below to show this:-
So basically my questions are:-
1. Is it possible to 'revive' this driveway without removing all of the old slabs? I don't want to have to remove all of the old slabs as it will result in my sub-base costing a fortune. I would rather try and work with the existing slabs, if possible.
2. Would the retaining wall I have suggested in the image above be beneficial?
I have also attached another couple of images below to give a better idea of what I am working with.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for reading this post