The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon May 13, 2019 11:22 pm**

Hi,

Was looking at replacing my current driveway (which must be over 30 years old) is slabs on a full mortar bed on a concrete sub base. The current slabs very top surface has pitted but apart from that the driveway shows no sign of damage or movement.

I have two questions
1. Given that the age of the driveway and that fact that the concrete sub base must be very strong for no movement to have occurred can I reuse the concrete sub base for new slabs?
2. What options do I have for new slabs? There is Pavestone Midnight Slate https://www.pavestone.co.uk/driveway-landscaping/driveway-stone-flags/ which says it is for driveways but almost all other slabs say they are for patios. Does this mean that they can't be used for a driveway because they are not strong enough? This includes slabs from Marshalls & Bradstone etc.

Thanks

Posted: **Tue May 14, 2019 11:26 am**

You wouldn't generally use concrete as a sub base for slabs. That said, for there to be no movement there's probably a rubble or type 1 sub base beneath your concrete. If you are sure there's been no movement and the levels still work out after adding slabs and adhesive, then were it my property I'd look to just overlay- big cost saving.

Posted: **Fri May 17, 2019 12:58 pm**

If you have the leeway with levels and DPCs, you could lay over the existing as long as you were absolutely certain there is no movement or cracking of the existing surface.

Pavestone, if you ask nicely, do have a wider range of driveway-suitable flagstones, usually 40-60mm thickness depending on type. They actually sponsor the Flagstones for Driveways page on the main website. It could well be worth giving them a call - ask for Vicky, if she's around.

The Brew Cabin

Slabs for driveway