Paving & Driveways

Block paving installation: 100mm Type 1 sub-base, 40–50mm sharp sand bed, soldier course concrete haunching before vibration, herringbone pattern, kiln-dried sand joint fill, and COSHH silica dust controls for cutting

Block paving lifting and repair: diagnosis by settlement pattern (localised vs linear vs edge), sub-base excavation and reinstatement, fresh sharp sand bedding, re-compaction, and block colour matching challenge

Concrete driveway slabs: C25/30 mix, A142 mesh reinforcement, 100–125mm depth, expansion joints at 4–5m, contraction joints at 3–4m, 7-day wet curing, and brushed (not trowelled) surface finish

Driveway drainage channels: ACO/linear channel sizing (100–300mm), BS EN 1433 load class B125 for residential driveways, surface water disposal hierarchy (soakaway → surface water sewer → combined sewer), and prohibition on foul sewer connection

Driveway gradient requirements: minimum 1:80 drainage fall, maximum 1:8 vehicle use, block paving maximum 1:10, drainage direction away from building, threshold levels, and manoeuvring space for single/two-car parking

Dropped kerb application: Highways Act 1980 s.184 approval process, visibility splays (2.4m × 25m at 30mph), council DLO vs approved contractor models, NRSWA licence requirement, and criminal offence for unlicensed crossings

Marshalls Register of Approved Contractors: registration requirements (£2m PLI, ethical sourcing declaration), the 10-year product and installation guarantee, what is and isn't covered, and comparison with BALI/APL membership

Natural stone paving: Indian Sandstone vs Yorkstone vs Granite vs Slate, 6:1 semi-dry mortar bed (not sand), 4:1 pointing mix, ethical sourcing for Indian stone, and penetrating (not film-forming) sealers for external use

Pattern imprinted concrete: C25/30 base slab, colour hardener application, powder release agent, stamp timing after bleed water evaporation, control joint spacing (3–4m), acrylic sealing, and crack risk management

Paving edging and restraints: concrete haunching (C20, 100mm × 75mm minimum), flexible plastic/metal restraints, precast kerbs, and why edge confinement is essential for flexible pavement longevity

Paving near DPC level: minimum 150mm gap between finished paving and DPC (Approved Document C), locating the DPC in brick and rendered walls, consequences of bridging, air brick protection, and remediation options

Resin bonded vs resin bound: key structural difference, permeability and SuDS status, planning permission implications, 5–10 year vs 15–25 year longevity, chip loss mechanism, and when each is appropriate

Resin bound paving: SUDS-compliant permeable surface, aliphatic vs aromatic UV-stable resin, 18mm minimum driveway depth, forced-action mixing, porous asphalt base, aggregate selection and pot life management

SuDS regulations for driveways: GPDO 2008 5m² impermeable threshold, what counts as permeable (resin bound, porous block, gravel), the planning application process for impermeable driveways, and Scotland/Wales/Northern Ireland differences

Tarmac driveway installation: 100mm Type 1 sub-base, 50mm DBM binder course, 25–30mm wearing course, edge restraint requirement, minimum compaction temperature 80°C, and porous asphalt for SUDS compliance