How to Pave Your Driveway
A driveway makes a strong first impression when you arrive at a property by adding to its curb appeal and functionality. Here is a complete guide on how to lay driveway paving for a structurally sound and long-lasting driveway.
What to Consider Before Laying Your Block Driveway
Before you can start there are just a few things that need to be considered. Factors such as planning permission, the materials to use, the space that you have to work with and the supplies that you will need to order. Doing this in advance will help you to avoid wasting time, money and prevent your driveway from being rejected by your local authority.
What you will want to do is draw up a sitemap of the area that you will be excavating and paving. This doesn’t need to be too detailed and should help you work out the dimensions that you will be working with so that you can order the right quantity of the materials listed below.
The Materials You’ll Need to A Lay Block Paving Driveway
- Sub-base aggregate
- Sand
- Block pavers/stones
Planning Permission
For your driveway to be planning permission compliant, it must not exceed a size of 5 square metres and should be permeable. If you intend to use an impermeable material such as concrete, you will need to apply for planning permission before you proceed.
Tools That You’ll Need to Create Your Driveway
Many of the tools that you’ll need can be found in your garden shed such as:
- A broom and rake
- String line
- Pegs
- Screed rails
- Shovel
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Mallet
The few tools that you may need to source are:
- A cement mixer
- A compacting tool
- A stone saw/block splitter
How to Lay A Block Paving Driveway
Once you have done all of this and you’re set, start by marking out the area you will be block paving with string and pegs. You can use a tape measure and spirit level to make sure that this is straight and correct.
Excavating Your Drive
Using a shovel, dig out the area to 150mm below the damp proof course of your property or neighbouring paving. Be aware that this might need to be adjusted with the rise and fall of the landscape. If your drive is flat, you will need to create a slight slope so that water can ‘run off’.
Creating Edge Restraints
An edge restraint frames your drive and holds it together which is why this part must be done correctly. To create your edge restraint, you will need to mix one part cement to six parts ballast and set it to a thickness of 100mm. For this, we recommend using a string line to mark out the finished height of your paving level to use as a guide. This will ensure that your edging stones will sit correctly. Next, you will want to place the concrete 25mm below the line, place the edge course on top and hammer it in place with a mallet before adding more concrete on top to seal in place.
Sub-Base
This is the layer that will sit below your paving blocks and will act as a supporting layer of stone, ensuring that your driveway can support all that is on top. For this, you want to use an MOT Type 1 hardcore aggregate and layer it 75mm high before compacting it and repeating the process once more.
Adding Screeding Sand
For the next layer, you will need a layer of damp sharp sand that is 50mm in thickness and moist enough to compact. This should be pressed in place with a vibrating plate compactor.
Laying the Pavers
Now you can start paving. These should be laid 10-15mm above the line that you initially mapped out, ready to be compacted.
Sealing Your Driveway
Once compact, you can add any finishing touches. With the sand that is left over, fill out the joints and compact once more. This will ensure that there aren’t any cracks and that your beautiful new driveway is secure.
