The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2004 5:04 pm**

Just had a really sh*t day on site.

Doing a drive for my friends parents. They asked me to recommend a good 50mm pavior. I have never had problems with Marshalls Driveline before - so they went for these although a little bit more pricy than others.

Had 8 packs delivered on Friday, laid them 90 degree - no problem.
8 more packs delivered this morning. Started to continue the 90 degree pattern. After laying 3 bands we discovered that the blocks were not fitting, the lines were all over the place.
Upon closer investigation, the recently delivered blocks were 1mm-2mm bigger than the ones from last week. Same supplier, same stock order.
Informed the BM who phoned Marshalls. I was told that their tolerence is 2mm and anything below is not their problem. Ok 2mm doesnt sound a lot - but by the time you have got 3m along the drive it is a lot more than 2 mm. The BM could only offer delivering more blocks - but could not guarantee they would be the same as last weeks.

So we have problem. Either get a new delivery and wait a day hoping that the blocks would be the same size, wait for a Marshalls rep to come out and do bugger all or do something myself. To sort it out, I created a finish point on the 90 degree with a band of Brindle and restarted with a 45 degree pattern using the newly delivered blocks. First of all I had to lift all the blocks I had laid.

I then had to explain to the client that it would look OK and was the only option.

Lost 3 hours waiting for the BM and Marshalls to let me know there was nowt they could do. All this and it was pis*ing down as well !!!!

At least the client seems happy with the result- good job as it is my mates parents !!

Heres looking forward to more lovely rain

Nigel

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:49 pm**

That's bang out of order, if you ask me. Either your supplier or Marshalls should have offered to supply consistent blocks for the whole job. A tolerance of 2mm is the maximum acceptable for a concrete paver according to BS6717, but I'm not sure that the Driveline blocks are manufactured to that standard. Perhaps one of the lurking Marshallettes would like to comment?

A tolerance of 2mm is equivalent to a potential joint width of 4mm, which is excessive in my book. If it were one or two blocks, then you'd not have a case, but if one batch is different to another, then I think you should protest more loudly. You can be damned sure that if there was such a noticeable plan size difference on a consignment of 60mm or 80mm blocks to a commercial scheme, the contractor would send them back and they'd be changed for good'uns double quick!

When I was contracting, I stuck with the 60mm blocks and refused to use the 50mm types unless I had no other choice. At that time, we could get the 60s for more or less the same price as the 50s - there was a whopping 12p per square metre difference - but it wasn't price, it was quality that drove that decision. The 60mm blocks from Marshalls at Ramsbottom were the best in the country bar none. Best for colour (a 3-colour blend of red, charcoal and buff), best for texture (a lovely tight finish) and best for dimensional accuracy. I'd still be reluctant to use 50mm blocks - why reduce them to 50mm? To save money, that's why, and in many cases, I can't help feeling the quality of materials has been trimmed along with the thickness of the blocks.

Isn't there a gale due tomorrow, Nigel? That'll be fun!

Edited By Tony McC on 1098730300

Posted: **Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:22 am**

Nigel,
I feel your pain on the rain. I am also building a walk and patio for my inlaws. They were away on vacation for a week. And it was wet every day they were gone. I managed to work every day. But with all the tarping and cleaning mud from me and the equipment it was getting on my nerves. But it did clear up this afternoon and I was able to get a section of the subgrade dried out and compacted. So I am a happy man. I hope I have better luck than you. When my pavers are delivered.
LM

The Brew Cabin

Bad day at the office