Fixing a low spot - bed preparation

Removing the old bed and installing a completely new laying course when fixing a low-spot within a block paved area. The blocks are relaid in the subsequent video - • Fixing a low spot - Re...
This video is part of the Driveway Refurbishment project featured on the pavingexpert website - www.pavingexpert.com/refurb_04...

[@hiramholiday69]

Another cracking good video. Always nice to see a useful DIY video where the work is done properly by professionals to the proper standards. Much appreciate the effort - thankyou.

[@ahjazhussain7393]

Excellent job, neat and clean. Thanks for tutorial as it will come on handy!

[@NormanStansfield1]

Nice job and very helpful.

[@hughroberts5569]

Fantastic video I need to do my own. This video will give me the confidence to to do it

[@richardcrane2611]

Brilliant! Driveway looks new again

[@johng2116]

excellent video series. thank you

[@johnreilly1059]

great job how much would it cost to repair a similar job like the that 1 mate

[@TonyMcCormack]

Yes: see the full explanation on the website. KZbin won't allow me to post a link, but look on the site map for the Driveway Refurb project

[@groarke999]

Yeah - loving the wacker dance :-) thanks for sharing

[@TonyMcCormack]

The need to replace the sand is fully explained on the supporting webpage for this video...see the Refurb Project pages on my website

[@TonyMcCormack]

I suggest you read BS7533:3 - sand, as long as it's the right type, is perfectly acceptable as a laying course in Britain and Ireland because we have a maritime climate

[@kev.j.goodwin8612]

I don't know why we bother with block paving - even very well laid it requires continuous maintenance and if used where cars are driven over the same spot, it'll eventually sag and cause water to pool and then even more problems. In shady areas moss takes hold if you're not careful and is more problematic to remove than with other surfaces. Looks nice for a while but I'd NEVER have it out of choice or recommend it for anything other than a small path and even then on a dry weak mix of sand/cement (had the short approach to the front door reset this way and it's been reasonably good for eight years but now showing signs of needing attention and the ants just love digging out the sand). I have an area of about 100 sq metres of it at the back that was there when we bought the house, so I'm getting good at fixing it up - much too expensive to replace. Our local council laid loads of it in the town centre and it lasted a few years - looked nice to begin with, but always being patched for trip hazards and was finally ripped up and replaced with tarmac at great expense to tax payers. Thanks for the informative video - if you've got block paving you'll need it!

[@TonyMcCormack]

Yet my own driveway, 26 years old, has not a single lowspot, and the 100m² or so requires a total of around 20 mins maintenance a year. When properly laid, I *still* believe block paving represents the best value-for-money paving of the lot.

[@nisarzaman]

Why can you not reuse the old sand?

[@tis0i0the0cuddler]

Nice work Tony

[@carbonsiliconnn]

LOL @1.22....the old Riverdance technique. This guy knows what he's doing. Good job

[@davidcarroll1658]

Love it ,, saved me a load of cash.. thanks. :)

[@johnreilly1059]

great job... how much would it cost to repair a similar stop like that 1 u just did mate

[@TonyMcCormack]

I don't get involved in pricing as I don't take on the work, but if you assume a couple of (very leisurely) hours for a tradesman, then maybe 150 quid.....ish

[@TonyMcCormack]

Crushed granite is not readily available in Britain or Ireland, and it would conflict with the existing laying couyrse, which is a coarse crushed rock sand in full accordance with BS7533:3

[@staypress]

Tony Thanks for the vids but I have a question for u . My new driveway has sunk a little where I park the car and only after 3 to 4 weeks snd also around the outside tap grate where the blocks were slightly raised and the guy said he would fix it but 6 months later he has still not come back . Any advice on relaying the blocks on the 2 dipped tracks and around the grate which in fact is pretty much on one of the tracks which didnt help cos the car drives over it all the time . He used this black dolomite coal looking stuff on top of stoned etc snd sharp sanded the top before laying the blocks .Would the job be done like on ur video as I could do it myself Someone told me that around the grate he should have laid a dry or concrete mix just around the pipe under the grate to stop the blocks sinking cos of the gap . Thanku

[@TonyMcCormack]

It sounds as though your man never compacted the sub-base sufficiently. That's the usual cause when modular paving settles so soon after completion, and the car running over it would be enough to hammer it dwn that bit further until it reaches the 'point of refusal', which shoud have been achieved during construction. So, yes: the method shown in the video should be satisfactory as long as the settlement is no more than 25mm or so. As for the paving beneath the tap, I,d tend to agree with the suggestion that the paving there should have been laid on a semi-dry mix, just to prevent the inevitable dripping and sploshing from washing-out the sand bed. Again, you can use the above method but this time use an 8:1 mix or a 6:1 mix of coarse sand with cement as the bedding beneath the tap area and for about 300mm in each direction around it. The black dolomite is a form of limestone but we don't see it often. Whereabouts are you?

[@staypress]

Tony McCormack hey tony thanks for responding so quickly.Actually I am in Consett Co Durham maybe a bit to far for u. At the moment I am trying to get the guy back who done the job but tbh I dont think he is interested as he did the job last Dec and he said he was back to contract work until april then I messaged him and he said he was behind dont worry I will get to it .its an easy fix etc so I gave him till now to text him and he hasnt responded so I will call him on Monday but you know im not an expert but I can do bit .I did the relaying of my blocks in my back garden but as he did the front drive job I would rather him do it as I wont have to pay him and he has a 10 year guarantee. But cos he wont get paid he aint interested .Well thats what I think .Ateotd I would rather someone pro do it even if I have to pay again just a little bit but u r to far . Can I send u a pic maybe on messenger or wassap or something. i forgot ye u know the levels around the tap grate were based on the slight gradient of the drive from the garage pin kerb to the pavement pin kerb so Im not sure how much play I have to lay some concrete and then the sharp sand that the blocks lay on. thanks again mate really

[@staypress]

I forgot Tony but do i think that black stuff he used was bad quality and thats y it sunk aswell .Strange but the rest of the drive is ok although now I park the car in different places to avoid the weight on one area .Also some of his cuts against the lawn pin kerb were not gr8 .Tbh he rushed it.but if I say that to him etc he will tell me where to go and then its legal action and I cant b arsed with that

[@staypress]

Just one more thing Tony with regards to the drive sunken tracks .If the black sub base under the sand has sunk then what is stopping it sinking again after the sand is renewed and the blocks r re layed I mean how do I sort of get a new secure level would I have to relay some more dolomite and whack it down or just use more sharp sand and whack that down

[@TonyMcCormack]

send to.... tony AT name-of-website

[@umranhu]

Good vid 👌. Whats reason for removing material and adding new rather than just putting new in to level ?

[@TonyMcCormack]

The reasoning is explained on the accompanying webpage - www.pavingexpert.com/refurb_04

[@umranhu]

@@TonyMcCormack thanks. Great explanation 👌

[@eldonfung4997]

Hi, would you mind telling me what kind of sand are you using? Thanks:)

[@TonyMcCormack]

The full details of this section of the project are provided on the webpage listed in the description above - www.pavingexpert.com/refurb_04.htm#bedprep - it's a coarse Class 2 grit sand

[@brianbotterill5820]

Reminded me of what sardines feel like!, squashed video!, hopeless for seeing the full layout( squinted eyes).

[@housecarl6]

I thought you may have needed to add the sand high and wacker it down.

[@grahamdalzell6933]

He aint got a clue mate stamping it with the feet would send alarm bells ringing for me.🤣🤣🤣

[@fungames24]

Remove old compact sand, now compact new sand.

[@mickymac6571]

Tony, couldn't you just re-use the original bed sand once it was loosened up?.I understand you had to add extra sand to raise the blocks.

[@TonyMcCormack]

No. As explained in other replies, and on the website, the sand becomes crushed and its performance deteriorates over time so, whenever re-instating a pavement more than around 12 months' old, the sand (or other laying course material) should be completely replaced, as required by the relevant British Standard

[@evndoherty]

What’s the laying course sand called?

[@freqest1]

presumably thats sharp sand?

[@Matt-dr5et]

I have an issue with guy who did my driveway a year ago as few bricks sunked. Called him 3 times he said he will send somebody and he didnt now he doesnt pick hes phone. I'm thinking about getting someone to do it and send him a bill otherwise take him to small claim court

[@michaelcollins5308]

How does laying on sharp sand compare to laying on 2-6mm gravel?

[@TonyMcCormack]

Compare in what way? Sharp sand has been the preferred laying course medium for many years. 2-6mm grit is more commonly used with permeable CBPs. It doesn't compact to the same degree but it is far more free-draining

[@rjmiller2553]

I know there must be a reason, but it seems so illogical to remove all the compacted base sand just to compact new sand. I've seen highways being redone where they remove well over 1 meter of material after they remove the asphalt. Wouldn't decades of traffic and settling create the perfect compacted base to add new sub materials renovate a new asphalt road on top of?

[@TonyMcCormack]

It's all explained on the web page supporting this video. It's only the laying course sand that is replaced, not the sub-base, and it's replaced because all those years of trafficking will have had a crushing effect which will have impacted on the performance of the sand, reducing both its interlock and free-draining capability due to the enhanced proportion of fine material. This repair is in full compliance with the relevant British Standard and the Interpave Code of Practice documents.

[@grahamdalzell6933]

@@TonyMcCormack what a load of bollox when a drive is laid you compact the sand with a wacker plate so what does that do? Complete nonsense.

[@MrSmid888]

I’ve laid plenty on top . No issues. Remember the sand is the same age under the non sunken areas. So it’s performing fine.

[@georgegeorge9946]

Why is happened this fenomen of drive way sink ??? You are sure is not any drain pipe there??? Maybe is a hole in the drain pipe , i saw that in other videos. Thanks

[@TonyMcCormack]

No - it's not a damaged underground pipe. It's just a bit of bed settlement, which is not uncommon on a 20-year old pavement. Settlement from broken pipework is usually much more obvious.

[@gatsey6667]

👍💯

[@myhealthtoo]

Dude use a tamper and crush granite its better than sand

[@stclairstclair]

Why do they bother to install microphones on video cameras?

[@TonyMcCormack]

+stclairstclair Probably to record contractors effing and jeffing as they struggle with awkward materials and know-all customers. That's why I tell my contractors to keep quiet during filming!

[@davidmurphy8480]

A concern to see when stamping the sand down with feet isn’t that a lazy cowboy way of doing . Give it a month or two and you be back it .

[@TonyMcCormack]

It's a highly effective method of lightly compacting a small area of bedding sand. Full compaction is neither required nor desirable as there has to be some "give" to settle in the blocks. Have a look at the date on that video - 6 years later and the repair is still absolutely perfect. I've been doing this for almost 50 years - give me some credit for knowing what I'm doing!

[@Redeyedye]

It there was just a low Spot why would you disturb what is there.. so much easier to just add some new stuff and relevel it.. look like you did more work then you need to

[@TonyMcCormack]

We did a professional repair in full compliance with the relevant British Standard. You can choose to work to lower standards, if you wish, but we never do.

[@Redeyedye]

@@TonyMcCormack I live in canada.. Just seemed like unpacking the ground only to pack it again is something I wouldn't do.. I wouldn't concider that to be lower standards by any means.. sounds more like the british standard need to be re thought.. You did do a good job..

[@TonyMcCormack]

@@Redeyedye We seem to be managing fairly well plus we have the scientific data to show our methods are valid and do actually result in superior quality remedial works.

[@crazyhandshands9028]

Don't make me laugh lol try using a hand tamper buddy, and always use a bit of Portland cement k dry mix so the sand don't wash away k .

[@TonyMcCormack]

So: you obviously have zero understanding of unbound construction of block paving but don't seem to mind letting everyone know. Brave!

[@myhealthtoo]

well you should never use sand where it freezes but you have no choice so that cool

[@grahamdalzell6933]

You sure you know what you're doing?🤣

[@TonyMcCormack]

With over 50 years experience in the trade as a professional paving installer, and full compliance with the relevant British Stadards, yes: I reckon I do know what i'm doing. Do you?

[@grahamdalzell6933]

Take it up to where its not sunk then get some 4x2 notched either end to allow compaction then screed it nice and flat then relay it. Also why take original sand out that been compacted for years?? Just add more. But 50 years doing it you'll know anyway.

[@TonyMcCormack]

@@grahamdalzell6933 You've not read the British Standard, then. If and when you do, you'll find that the methodology shown is wholly in accordance with that document and is considcered "Best Practice".

[@grahamdalzell6933]

@@TonyMcCormack does it say to stomp the sand down with your feet 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TonyMcCormack]

@@grahamdalzell6933 Buy your own copy of the British Standard and find out.

[@garyranson3772]

Frank Sinatra

[@TomS1968]

Why did you remove all the old sand? Sand doesn't break down, it just needed re-leveling. You wasted time and money doing something you didn't need to do at all.

[@TonyMcCormack]

You're wrong. Sand *does* break down, and the laying course sand beneath block paving gets crushed to the point of being too fine to be of any practical use. Further, if you care to read the relevant British Standard and the Interpave documentation regarding reinstatement of block paving, removal and replacement of old sand is regarded as essential to effect a thorough and reliable repair.

[@TomS1968]

You obviously know nothing about geology. Show me one article on sand breaking down. Go ahead and google does sand break down, go ahead. You won't get anything cause it doesn't. Sand erodes, meaning it washes away, but it doesn't break down. If you mix sand with dry concrete it stops the erosion process considerable. As I said you wasted a lot of time, and your british standard is dumb!

[@TonyMcCormack]

You're obviously far more familiar with paving in Britain and Ireland than anyone else, including all of the BS committee responsible for that standard, with their meagre 1500+ years of experience in the paving industry. I shall ask them to contact you so you can re-educate all of us with your exacting knowledge and scathing wit. We must bow to your superior knowledge. I'll also let the MIneral Productrs Association know that the crushing equipment which their 100+ members use to create the specialist sand we use for paving, cannot possibly work because the great Tom says sand can't be broken down. To think we've been getting it all so wrong for so many years. We are, indeed, in your eternal debt.

[@TomS1968]

You have a BS committee? LOL!!!!!! That should tell you something. Glad I could get their 1500 years of experience up to the 21 century. Referencing Stonehenge in all their documentation seems a bit outdated don't you think? So glad I could be of help old chap.

[@mortalstorm]

Tony McCormack Strange, but I recently releveled areas of my paved patio and the sand looked as coarse as the day when it was initially installed ten years prior. I didn't use any new sand and the areas that were reworked seem to be holding up fine.

[@banyardskin]

Ooooo your ignorance knows no bounds