Home Improvement

Block paving is a popular driveway, patio and pathway material that is a very hardwearing surface. However, there are some ways to make block paving last longer. Below are few block paving tips that actually helps.

Treat the blocks before you lay them - Use a power washing machine to clean the blocks before laying them. This should remove any dirt, moss or fungus that may have become attached whilst they were stored. If you don't have access to a power washer you can use a scrubbing brush on a long handled broom handle, but this takes much more time and effort.

Using underlay - it's worth investing in some good quality underlay to go beneath your block paving. This will help prevent damp rising up through the ground and into the joints between your blocks, which will both reduce the risk of cracking and also extend the life of your block paving. Also, if you do have any cracks appear in your block paving then using an underlay will help protect the ground from frost damage so that it doesn't end up heaving from the ground as it freezes and thaws during the winter.

Tip One: The first thing that you should do when considering block paving for your driveway is to take a look at some examples. This will allow you to get an idea of what the process involves and what the finished product might look like. You should also find out whether the company can offer any block paving samples so that you can actually hold a piece of block paving before making a final decision.

Tip Two: Once you have found a supplier, make sure you get them to send someone out to measure your site before agreeing on any prices. It is important that you take as much time as possible over this, as even small mistakes can mean that your driveway will not fit in with your garden properly once it has been installed.

Tip Three: Before you lay your blocks, you need to ensure that the surface is even and flat otherwise they will not be laid straight and it will be very difficult to level them once they have been laid. To do this, dig out any high areas with a spade and use a spirit level to ensure that the area is flat so there are no dips or slopes in any direction.

Tip Four: When laying block paving, you should ensure that the width between each of the blocks is equal. This will make it easier to level them once laid. Ensure that this width is kept within 1/8 inch each way from the desired measurement as any variation from this can cause problems when levelling them.