The Brew Cabin

Hi

I've dropped in on this forum a few times. I have nearly laid the front driveway 50m Square, I used the above flags in two sizes trying to make it look like it had been down for years 2x2 and 2x1.

I started off by breaking all the concrete up with the help of a Kango and loading three skips two 8 ton and one 4 tonof mostly concrete and a little soil. I then proceeded to apply the crusher run after using 4 ton and a machine to hammer it flat (vibrator) I left it for two weeks, then went over it again to see if it went down any further.

I was then ready to start laying the flags I went to order 5 ton of 3/8 stone and grit sand, but was informed that RIVER sand would be more suitable, the mix of RIVER sand and cement was to be 1/2 bag cement and fill the mixer (baby Bell) and not to make it to wet.

This I have done and the final flags should be laid either tomorrow or saturday depending when the supplier can deliver the last 17 as I used all there stock of 2x1's. The flags seem very solid, but alas I havent drove the car on it yet?

What are your views of laying flags on RIVER sand?

I'm sure Tony will add his two penn'orth when he gets back from his hols, but I would expect soft sand to wash out more easily than sharp sand.

Hi danensis

Thanks for the quick reply, I have had a look at what I have already laid as I am still waiting for the supplier to deliver the last 17. The sand has gone rock solid and I mean rock solid the colour has gone BLACK and a hammer and bolster was needed where I had left a little overhang.

River sand is a loose term. Some river sands, such as the Mersey grit we have around here, are great for bedding and concreting, but other river sands, such as one I saw in bristol, is too fine, too silty to be an ideal choice.

However, it seems that you are reasonably happy with yours, so we'll sy it's OK. But for future reference, it is the class of the sand, whether it's a coarse, medium or fine sand, that is important, not its source. For bedding and general concreteing, we prefer a Medium (Class M) or Coarse (Class C) sand.