Driveways With Paving, Tarmac or Gravel

Getting driveways built for your home can improve the overall look of it and enhance not just the value but the impression it creates for others. You can opt for having a variety of driveways installed from which you can choose block paving or you can elect for a new styled tarmac driveway with a cobble sett border around it to make it stand out and add curb appeal. Choose your recommended driveway installer who can lay it to a high standard.

TIPS ON LAYING PAVING

Membrane Sheeting To Stop Weeds

The next stage would be put down membrane sheeting this is not as people think to stop weeds this is to stop base mixing with the River wash sand which is applied on top of the membrane. Weeds very rarely will grow through the ground especially if you have done your base preparation correctly.

Weeds generally grow in the gaps between the paving joints the joints are normally made up of KDS which is short for kiln dried sand. This type of weed growth is easily handled with maintenance once to twice a year.

Driveway Edges

At this stage you will decide whether you wish to have a standard border around your driveway which will act as a retainer or if you would be using edging curbs. Regardless of your choice it should always be benched in concrete and set to an accurate finished level.

Drainage / Inspection Chambers

the next stage of your driveway installation, is about setting in any drainage that is required according to SUDS regulations or as needed to handle surface water.

Inspection Chambers or is more commonly known manhole covers are generally replaced at this stage with a new recessed inspection chamber. This allows you to lay the paving inside of the cover allowing it to blend in with the driveway.

Use Sand For Paving Base

The next stage of preparation is applying a sand base preferably river washed to the driveway. Once you have roughly leveled off the sand you will have to set accurate screeding levels.

Screeding levels are generally set when you use conduit piping or similar which is set off a string line and a screeding bar is used to pull back the sand set at the level of the conduit piping.

When you have screeded off the driveway, you should remove your conduit piping. You can back fill the gaps left by the piping by using sand and hand floating.

Installing The Block Paving

At this stage you can generally start laying your block paving. We always recommend pulling a string line from the house or from whichever angle you wish to lay the block paving off of.

The most common style of block paving pattern is 45° or a 90° herringbone. You can of course choose to lay the paving in a variety of different styles but the herringbone pattern is where the original term of interlocking comes from. This generally gives the strongest interlock to the driveway paving.

Once you have laid the block paving the next stage is to cut in any of the paving that needs to be cut. You have generally two different ways of cutting block paving

The first option is to use block paving splitter. The most renowned splitter for block paving is from Probst. They are generally safe to use but we do recommend having two people using it. One inserting the block for cutting it and other to pull the handle of the splitter.

The second option is to use a consaw. This is large version of a grinder which is generally powered by petrol. It uses a diamond blade saw which will cut through the block paving at a very fast speed. This option provides the best quality of cuts but we only recommend using a consaw if you have prior experience to using similar equipment. It can be very dangerous to use and not recommended as an amateur.

Once you have carried out all your cutting, then apply KDS for jointing block paving. KDS is short for kiln dried sand which is brushed into the joints. You will vibrate compact the finished block paving using a Wacker plate.

If you need to find someone who can lay your driveway, choose a driveway company such as O’Brien Driveways Dublin to lay it at unbeatable prices.