How to Lay Block Paving: An Overview

STEP 1: Design

You will need to draw up a design that suits your own requirements. Your choice will depend on whether you are replacing or just repairing your existing driveway, and whether you want to make the exterior of your property low maintenance.

Choose a colour and finish of block paving that complements the style of your home.

STEP 2: Excavation

Carefully mark out the area to be excavated and then dig out to the required level. This will depend on your existing surface, but make sure that the finished driveway is 150mm below the damp proof course of any adjoining buildings.

To aid drainage you’ll have to create a slight slope. This should be constructed with a 1:40 fall across the width of the drive and a 1:80 fall along the length.

STEP 3: Edge restraints

You’ll then have to make the concrete foundation: mix 1 part cement and 6 parts ballast and apply to a depth of 100mm. The kerb unit or edge restraint will sit on top of this at the required level. Make sure this is flat and level by using a string line and spirit level.

Mortar the kerb units or edge restraints to the foundation using a trowel and rubber mallet, then haunch the back of the units so that the concrete reaches half way up the rear of the kerb.

STEP 4: Subbase

Use MOT Type 1 Roadstone and lay it inside of the edge restraints. Apply in layers of 50mm, raking over as you go, until you have built it up to the right level. Then, level it off and make sure it’s fully compacted using a vibrating plate.

The subbase should be at least 100mm thick after compaction after this process; make sure the area is fully compacted by using the vibrating plate at least 7 times.

STEP 5: Screeding

The next step is to add a layer of slightly damp sharp sand, to a depth of 50mm; compact this with the vibrating plate. A second layer of sharp sand to a level of 20mm then needs to be applied on top of this.

Using the string lines, screeding rails and straight edge, this second layer of sharp sand needs to be levelled to the correct falls.

STEP 6: Paving installation

Always begin laying block paving from the bottom of a slope, preferably starting from a right angle or a straight edge. Place the blocks on top of the laying course ensuring blocks are around 45mm above the desired finished level. Continue up the slope, checking your pattern with the design as you go. Once all the full blocks are down, you’ll need to fill the gaps. Using a block splitter or diamond disc saw, cut the blocks to size. You should try to avoid making a cut block less than a third of its original size.

STEP 7: Finishing touches

Once all of the blocks are in place, sweep the drive thoroughly. Then apply kiln dried sand and sweep across the whole of the drive, making sure that this sand falls down between the joints of the blocks. Once again the drive needs compacting with the vibrating plate. You will then need to sweep more kiln dried sand over the drive and compact again; repeat this process until all of the joints are full of sand.

Reproduced with the kind permission of the Bradstone Technical Department