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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 3:03 pm
by Dringo
Hi guys, I have done extensive reading ont his site and anything else I can find on the interweb, but just wanted to clarify my plans before I proceed as some of it can be confusing.
I'm building a second driveway next to the current one that is already there (2 rows of flags with a gap down the middle). It just cost us a small fortune to get the council to move a lamppost and drop the kerb so it has to be a DIY job.
I just want to clarify that the depths and method below are ok;
-Dig out to 170mm.
-Compact sub-grade down using a whacker plate.
-Lay 100mm of MOT Type 1 sub-base and compact down with a whacker plate.
-35mm bed made of 10-1 cement
-Lay flags (35mm) leaving a 3mm gap, filling that with sand later on.
Couple of other questions:
-The garden front slopes down towards the house before leveling off where I plan the drive to end. Will a channel drain along the full width of the drive at the bottom running into the original single point drain be ok?
-I plan to fill in the gaps between the rows of flag stones with a crushed slate. Will this need a barrier sheet laying underneath? In fact, will the whole project need one of these sheet bases beneath the hardcore?
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:04 pm
by r896neo
Hi, the info on the main site is a good guide but it is designed a a guide. It is quality but general advice which sometimes needs a few supplimentary details for specific projects.
For example the laying principles of a 400x400 concrete flag and a 900x600mm sandstone flag are pretty similar but the details are often very different. You would be bored stiff reading (never mind trying to write) a seperate blurb for each size and type of flag and each specific use.
Your project is a little more specialized and driveways need a fair bit of extra specification.
For starters many contractors have reservations about large format flags for drives as they are much more prone to problems than small units such as block paving. As a result to ensure a long lasting quality job a certain degree of over-engineering is required.
Many prefer to lay a full concrete base rather than just compacted hardcore.
If your going with MOT then your sub-base would need to be at least 150mm.
You also need thicker flags, at least 50mm and these should be layed on a stronger mix, something like 4:1.
This is just my 2 cents and others will have their advice and prefered recipies so you come to a consensus after a few replies.
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 6:16 pm
by Dringo
I checked my flags today. They are 50mm so covered there.
As for the rest of it.
I know block paving would be better, but as I say after forking out almost £2k for the drop kerb and the lamppost move, we can't afford to get anyone in to do it. And although I am pretty handy, I think block paving is out of my ability.
We have twins arriving in 3 months time, which is why we require the extra off road parking.
The new half of the drive will only be used for 6 months of the year as I work away for that period.
Laying a full concrete base is again out of my abilities I feel. So I will have to go with the MOT hardcore route.
I have dug out the driveway today (with help of family to a depth of 200mm.
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:17 pm
by r896neo
Block paving is much easier for a diyer to install, its much more suitable and likely to last better. It can also be relatively easily rectifyed should it go wrong where as slabs will need completely re-done. Whereas laying large 50mm slabs on a full mortar bed requires a bit of technique and experience to do it well.
The only difficult bit of block paving(and its only difficult in so much as it needs a bit of care) is setting initial levels and then screed rails.
I would definately advise you to go for block if you want to do it yourself, assuming you haven;t already got the flags. There is loads of help at hand here for any queries.
150mm compacted type 1 base.
20-40mm compacted grit sand
60mm block paving
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 12:47 pm
by ringi
Another option is just to put in two concrete strips. There are companies that will mix, borrow and lay concrete for you into form work you have installed. If you then scored the concrete you could get it to look a bit like flags.
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:09 pm
by local patios and driveway
Dont forget a geotextile membrane before you put your sub base down, thats essential. I would also advise 4-1 concrete. And minimum of 2-3 inches of concrete.
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:25 am
by London Stone Paving
ringi wrote:Another option is just to put in two concrete strips. There are companies that will mix, borrow and lay concrete for you into form work you have installed. If you then scored the concrete you could get it to look a bit like flags.
No offence Ringi, but its not going to look anything like flags. My dad tried to do this about 20 years ago. He made templates and frames and put a lot of effort into it, it looked pretty bad.
I do understand your reluctance to go with the blocks but it is more suitable for a driveway. Is your driveway flat and can it be laid on a single plane? Will be easier if it is
Good luck with your twins, your gonna have your hands full
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:45 pm
by Dringo
Thanks for all the advice so far.
Geotextile sheet when down yesterday, and 150mm of hardcore went ontop today and has been compacted down. I am now broken. lol.
Clark-Drain arrived this morning by courier, trench is dug, gradient checked, and will be getting cemented in place tomorrow first thing.
I know what you are saying about blocks, but we can't afford to do both the new and original driveway, so I am continueing to go with the flagstones route.
It's not costing me anything in labour, so if it looks crap at the end, then it's my own fault and we'll just have to save up until we can block it.
I'll post pics when done.