Block paving probelms

Author
Discussion

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

159 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Had block paving done on my driveway. It was just a central area of tarmac the sides were already paved. So they were meant to line it up with existing levels, but it sits too high at the edges. How should it look? They have just angled down the end blocks and I'm not sure this is right. Also the section before the gate track is humped like a mini speed jump, surely it should just be one single gradient from the front to back?

Need to know what to tell them to do so they don't just fob me off. Ask them to drop the levels? What needs to be done?

Thanks very much for help. They haven't been paid yet so want to make sure they get it all sorted properly.

Edited to add the last pic which shows how the blocks were sitting before they angled down the end blocks.











Edited by sealtt on Monday 20th February 19:13

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

159 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Yes it was a very good price at least. What's weird is the houses behind us on a quiet cul de sac that they did (boards still outside) are a perfect job. Maybe he had a different crew doing this one?

Anyway I will ask them to make sure the level is low enough for the damp proof course. I presume I am correct in believing that it should all be flat level in terms of joining up with existing paving and the concrete edging blocks? If not,How would you expect it to join up with existing block paving?

I haven't paid them anything yet at least.

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

159 months

Monday 20th February 2017
quotequote all
Dan Gleables said:
When setting out the levels they should have tied in with the adjoining surfaces to ensure they would be flush. its the first thing to do. If the tie ins were poor or laid to irregular levels they should have told you this with a view to probably adjusting the edgings to get a nice finish.

I'd always specify that no blocks are to be cut to less than half their size to avoid some of the tiny pieces you have, and I'd want a 30mm sand bed, no more.

If it was cheap then it looks an ok job to be honest, it could have been double the price.
OK thanks for the info. I'll explain that to them tomorrow, it didn't sound like dropping the levels down would be too much of a problem when I spoke to the manager of the company before. So will ask them to get the edges to be flush or below the existing tie in without the 'ramp' effect of the end blocks. if they get that sorted I'll be pretty happy. Also just check those levels re damp proof, though I think it should be fine as this is no higher than the tarmac was on the left of the house.

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

159 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
blade7 said:
Were the edges haunched into concrete ?
Yes all edges have been, it's just got sand over the concrete at the moment so you can't see it in those pics.

sealtt

Original Poster:

3,091 posts

159 months

Tuesday 21st February 2017
quotequote all
They seem happy to get it right and so worth keeping on wit them I think.

They sent a good guy over today who re did the sections joining onto the existing driveways so it's all nice and smooth now.

He is coming back tomorrow to pull up and re lay the front section and get it spot on.