Block paved path

[jfc]

Ive picked up some blocks to do a path way up my drive . Do I need to do all that whacker plate stuff just for a garden path ?

[woodsmith]

I would! It saves a load of time and does a far better job. You can hire one for about £25.

[Roger-M]

Yep - me too. Also make sure that you secure the edges of the path securely so that the paving blocks can't spread. Like so may things, the quality of the finished job is all in the preparation before you lay your first block.

[jfc]

That will be a big pile of bricks not moving for a while then

[Roger-M]

That will be a big pile of bricks not moving for a while then

Did quite a bit of paviour block laying a few years back. Once the base is prepared and the surface compacted, the block laying is a piece of ease. They go down very quickly. Apart from the preparation, the most time consuming bit is if you have to cut the blocks that fit around the edges to shape. That is b***** tedious.

[jfc]

Isnt it easier to lay a concrete path and then put a bit of sand on that for the blocks ?

[promhandicam]

I did a path at home a fee weeks back (my pile of blocks had been sitting on pallets on the drive since last year.) I laid mine on a foundation of scalpings (mot) about 70mm thick whacked down. Edging laid on bed of sharp sand / cement about 50 -60mm thick. The rest laid on bed of sharp sand - finally whacked down.

[woodsmith]

Isnt it easier to lay a concrete path and then put a bit of sand on that for the blocks ?

I've thought about doing that. I put down a load of block paving on a sharp sand base, it was a lovely job for a couple of years then a mole decided to dig its tunnels through the sand

[promhandicam]

Like this

[Roger-M]

Isnt it easier to lay a concrete path and then put a bit of sand on that for the blocks ?

You could do that, but there would almost be as much preparation for the concrete base, and then you'd still need to lay the blocks. Plus you'd need to excavate a load of extra soil, and concrete in volume isn't cheap. I'm about to build some retaining walls in my garden and will be pouring £600 worth of concrete in to the foundation trenches.

Promhandicam's photos above show how it should be set out. Just as in woodwork, there are no short cuts to a quality result.

[robo]

Herringbone is the strongest pattern but not so important for foot traffic.
Brush in fine kiln dried sand until refusal.
The big downside with block paving is weed control - it can become a major problem?

Rod

[Roger-M]

Herringbone is the strongest pattern but not so important for foot traffic.
Brush in fine kiln dried sand until refusal.
The big downside with block paving is weed control - it can become a major problem?

Rod

Yep - even with a weed barrier membrane underneath you still get weeds growing in the cracks, but a dowsing with Pathclear (other brands are available) keeps it under control.

Steve - I don't fancy having to cut all the irregular shapes for the fill in pieces around the edge of your job - but will look great when it's finished.

[jfc]

Yeah Steve , is it finished ?