Block paving

[Jkmoreton]

Hi all !
I’m going to get block paving done as my drive way is horrible ! I want to do as much myself as I can as i enjoy the Graft and hopefully will save a few pounds ....: just looking for tips
First job I thought would be to smash and remove the old concrete ? Or could the concrete be used as hardcore ? Thanks in advance !

 

[HERTS P&D]

Have you thought about a side extension or garage? Then sort out the drive way.

Andy

 

[Jkmoreton]

Hi Andy , yes I have but the costs seemed really high so I kind of put that idea off , I was going to block pave it and put some gates down the bottom end so I keep the long driveway

 

[cdbe]

See www.pavingexpert.com

 

[John D v2.0]

save a few pounds

Have you thought about a side extension

I like your style!
But in seriousness, if the concrete is sound and you have enough vertical room, half an inch of sand and 40mm block pavers would do it. If you don't have the space, then smashing it out would be in order but hire a decent breaker. Grab lorry is cheaper than a skip.

 

[Jkmoreton]

Thanks mate , but wouldnt that leave the drive to high ? It would sit above the pavement if I went on top ? Plus I had to dig out for gas pipes down the middle so I’d have to fill that too , a builders 8 yard skip is £205 but think I’d need two so I’ll look at grab hire !

 

[John D v2.0]

You can get a machine on hire to break up lumps of concrete into hardcore, not sure when it becomes economical and you'd still have to dispose of the subsoil somehow.

 

[^woody^]

If the slab is around 4" think, you and lever it up, and break it with a pick head. Otherwise if thicker you will need a breaker, and not a kango, but a bigger heavy duty breaker.

 

[John D v2.0]

Or one of these with diamond tipped claws