Frost damage to paving
Discussion
Last October we had our rear yard paved. Job looked good we left it about 3 weeks after it was finished before we started parking the car on it.
I noticed just before Xmas some cracks had appeared in the grouting, now quite a lot of the slabs feel loose, and seem to have sunk slightly under the wheels of the car.
Obviously I have called the builder and am waiting for a call back, but looking for ideas on the cause and if this is because of the weather or poor workmanship.
We are up in the north east and did see regular temps lower than minus 10 and a lot of snow over the last month.
Going to take some pictures tomorrow.
I noticed just before Xmas some cracks had appeared in the grouting, now quite a lot of the slabs feel loose, and seem to have sunk slightly under the wheels of the car.
Obviously I have called the builder and am waiting for a call back, but looking for ideas on the cause and if this is because of the weather or poor workmanship.
We are up in the north east and did see regular temps lower than minus 10 and a lot of snow over the last month.
Going to take some pictures tomorrow.
It's most likely to be due to insufficient concrete depth under the slabs.
The concrete underneath should have been reinforced ideally.
Try lifting a slab to see what's underneath. If the slabs have been bedded on mortar 'dabs' then that could be the problem as they should be on a solid bed to take a vehicle weight.
Not likely to be the weather if done properly.
The concrete underneath should have been reinforced ideally.
Try lifting a slab to see what's underneath. If the slabs have been bedded on mortar 'dabs' then that could be the problem as they should be on a solid bed to take a vehicle weight.
Not likely to be the weather if done properly.
Qcarchoo said:
It's most likely to be due to insufficient concrete depth under the slabs.
The concrete underneath should have been reinforced ideally.
Try lifting a slab to see what's underneath. If the slabs have been bedded on mortar 'dabs' then that could be the problem as they should be on a solid bed to take a vehicle weight.
Not likely to be the weather if done properly.
I wasn't around all the time but I did notice that he did seem to be putting a lot of cement down not just dabs. I say cement as I don't think it was concrete. Oddly though where the car can't get too the slabs seem loose also.The concrete underneath should have been reinforced ideally.
Try lifting a slab to see what's underneath. If the slabs have been bedded on mortar 'dabs' then that could be the problem as they should be on a solid bed to take a vehicle weight.
Not likely to be the weather if done properly.
They wont have been laid properly if they do!Surely you can only prepare the ground to the best you can.
What happens under that base is out of your control?
If the base is done correctly, then it shouldn't sink a couple of inches, but it's bound to sink a little bit.
Everything will expand and contract with temperature change.
That could explain why the joints have gone. That will then allow the slab to move a little. Granted, they shouldn't move too much if the base is done properly.
How loose are the slabs? is the sort of loose where you put weight on one side and the other side lifts a little, or just loose as in it can move around in the space?
What happens under that base is out of your control?
If the base is done correctly, then it shouldn't sink a couple of inches, but it's bound to sink a little bit.
Everything will expand and contract with temperature change.
That could explain why the joints have gone. That will then allow the slab to move a little. Granted, they shouldn't move too much if the base is done properly.
How loose are the slabs? is the sort of loose where you put weight on one side and the other side lifts a little, or just loose as in it can move around in the space?
Slagathore said:
Surely you can only prepare the ground to the best you can.
What happens under that base is out of your control?
If the base is done correctly, then it shouldn't sink a couple of inches, but it's bound to sink a little bit.
Everything will expand and contract with temperature change.
That could explain why the joints have gone. That will then allow the slab to move a little. Granted, they shouldn't move too much if the base is done properly.
How loose are the slabs? is the sort of loose where you put weight on one side and the other side lifts a little, or just loose as in it can move around in the space?
As you walk on them you can feel them move under foot, it's not horrendous but my worry is the flags will start to crack. Under the wheels of the car they have dropped 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. What happens under that base is out of your control?
If the base is done correctly, then it shouldn't sink a couple of inches, but it's bound to sink a little bit.
Everything will expand and contract with temperature change.
That could explain why the joints have gone. That will then allow the slab to move a little. Granted, they shouldn't move too much if the base is done properly.
How loose are the slabs? is the sort of loose where you put weight on one side and the other side lifts a little, or just loose as in it can move around in the space?
northandy said:
I wasn't around all the time but I did notice that he did seem to be putting a lot of cement down not just dabs. I say cement as I don't think it was concrete. Oddly though where the car can't get too the slabs seem loose also.
I am showing my ignorance here, but what is the difference between cement and concrete? There obviously is one, but as a DIY biffo, I think I'd have used the terms inter-changeably.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
I am showing my ignorance here, but what is the difference between cement and concrete? There obviously is one, but as a DIY biffo, I think I'd have used the terms inter-changeably.
Cement - The light grey powdery stuffSand - the yelow stuff on beaches
Aggregate - small stones
Water - The clear wet stuff
Mix the four together and you get concrete.
Mix just sand/cement/water together and you get mortar - appears this is maybe all that's under your slabs??
Whatever it is, it's very likely the only solution will be to lift all the slabs over the area the cars sits, excavate and do it all again properly.
My in laws had their drive/path done a couple of years ago and frost has blown all the decorative finish off the surface of the slabs leaving a gritty mess. Buy cheap, buy twice!!
dave_s13 said:
Cement - The light grey powdery stuff
Sand - the yelow stuff on beaches
Aggregate - small stones
Water - The clear wet stuff
Mix the four together and you get concrete.
Mix just sand/cement/water together and you get mortar - appears this is maybe all that's under your slabs??
Every day's a school day. Thanks. Sand - the yelow stuff on beaches
Aggregate - small stones
Water - The clear wet stuff
Mix the four together and you get concrete.
Mix just sand/cement/water together and you get mortar - appears this is maybe all that's under your slabs??
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