The Easy Way to Lay Block Paving

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Wow, that looks great Stuart! Brilliant video as always 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much Mr Rag 'n' Bone. I learnt how to pave following your excellent video last week!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

@@ProperDIY 😂

[@george-1961]

Always looking forward to your blogs, especially enjoyed this one 👌🏻

[@davedavids2231]

There's nothing like buying a new build house and spending the rest of your life doing it up 👌

[@martinjenkins1827]

Lol nice one

[@liamsandie]

So true, 4 years to sort ours

[@daves4026]

Lol true dat. But great videos and am learning loads. Thanks for the videos

[@customsportsvans]

Absolutely true

[@pav0004]

It never ends

[@tonygell2589]

I’ve decided to block pave my own driveway, and came to KZbin to see how it’s done! After watching a few clips of people doing it I must say after watching this one it beats all the others hands down. It was exactly what I was wanting to see. Clear and simply explained. I am now confident I can block pave my own driveway- PROPERLY!! Thanks Stuart for taking the time to do this video. It’s appreciated

[@roystonevans2223]

Let us know how you get on, seriously thinking of doing mine & saving a small fortune 👍

[@evansnick81]

And don't forget this was for foot traffic and a wheeliebin. Not a car drive

[@enemona1]

@@evansnick81 what will you do differently for a driveway?

[@evansnick81]

@@enemona1the man's doing a good job, but thicker type 1 subbase if vehicles are driving on it

[@davidhale8034]

This is Not for a driveway.

[@andrewandlm]

THE best block paving 'How to' ever. Amazing level of detail. Brilliant.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much

[@flyc3]

Always look forward to notifications from your channel. Not only is the work first class, so is the filming and editing. How you do both at the same time is pure skill. Just wished we were taught this stuff at school, especially by someone like you. Look forward to the next one.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much for such nice comments. I do try to think ahead and it does take quiet a bit of time but worth it when I see comments like yours!

[@troy4312]

wanted to treat my sister to doing her garden up while she is away as it was a complete tip, never attempted anything like this before ever, watched this and laid her a lovely path down the side of garden in about 3 and half days lovely simple instructions and watched one of your videos for a garden storage box but made into a little bench so she can sit and watch the kids play and have somewhere to store there copious amounts of toys and had enough time left over to level off the other side and lay some turf, great videos mate, now to build my self a work bench haha

[@grotekleum]

Great job, thanks for sharing. Using masking tape on the bricks too when pointing, such as Scotch Blue rough surface tape, keeps the brick face nice and clean.

[@ProperDIY]

That's a great idea!

[@welshrambler1893]

Another excellent instructional video Stuart, well done! I've watched quite a few videos about laying block paving but your video beats them hands down for a clear explanation. Regards Keith

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it

[@MrSmid888]

Top job sir, excellent. I prefer a plastic float for sand. Also a wee rubber mallet for tapping in cuts. Here’s my top tip…….. When pointing flags or border blocks in this instance if you sit your metal plasters float on its edge exactly on the edge of the material you’re about to fill, then offer in the mortar against it and it slides nicely down the face into the gap. As you do it you can use the trowel that you’re emptying the mortar off as the second “edge” in the motion. Also you can hold the gear against the float and if you’ve got too much just scoop it back up the face and back into the bucket, it’ll just sit nicely against the metal float on its edge, just cut it off level using the other pointing trowel with the top of the block/flag, then run the pointing tool over it etc.It’s a bit hard to explain writing but I’m sure you get the idea. It’s not bomb proof but it does stop things getting really messy! Cheers all the best

[@harryinhuahin1272]

Sounds good to me

[@danielst-cyr]

Always like your videos. Watching from Canada where climate changes are something else. We have flexible edge banding made of plastic with spikes for the edges that keeps everything in place. Then you can use sand to fill the gaps. We also have polymer sand which is like your kiln dried sand with a "resin" coating. Once you finish vibrating it in, you mist it with water and it turns hard as concrete. Fills large gaps too. Great job on the pathway.

[@thebigimageevents1189]

Love the description of a glug! Great video - I'm sure it won't be as easy when I do it....

[@nialstewart8263]

Good tip about keeping track of what you're digging out as you go. I over-enthusiastically got stuck in digging out the base of a play house in the garden, dug about twice as deep as I needed to and then had to bring a load of it back, as you warned about. :-(

[@danielfoord7464]

Good video thanks for your hard work 👍

[@frankblack1481]

That looks amazing. A classy job from start to finish. I suspect this will be one of your most well-viewed and highest-rated videos.

[@erimus1]

It’s “sun-formation” under your type one. The type one is your formation. And you don’t need to compact virgin ground as it’s as hard as it will get already. Only reason you would do that would be to seal it. And you can over compact type one as it migrates the fines and you lose the bond - and method of measurement would give you the amount of passes necessary at what compaction

[@UncleScorch]

Excellent video, I’ve planned a walkway out to the deck on the side of our house that my wife will be able to use in her wheelchair. This is the perfect video for the project I was thinking of, many thanks!

[@bettyswollocks5278]

Looks great Stuart. Little tip when cutting...To avoid cutting tiny slithers of block, replace the full block behind your cut with a half block. This way your cuts will always be at least half a block in length.

[@ProperDIY]

Good point!

[@fredbloggs4829]

Great video, I need to do something similar so pleased to see your approach. Just a tip for cutting bricks with a chisel, try it on the grass, which will absorb some of the energy and stop the brick splitting somewhere else.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Good tip - maybe thats why it worked for me before

[@dazdaz105]

Good work and good advice. I threw some block pavers down on size 11 boot compacted sharp sand and smacked the blocks level with a rubber mallet. Still solid 5 years later, although I prefer your method. 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. A footpath doesn't need much. The 75mm I put down will never go anywhere. However I'm still waiting for comments tell me I should have used 150mm of type 1!

[@chumley24]

I used the dye in mortar in the summer when i replaced a retaining wall with block kerb edgings, as you say its trial and error. to get the colour right... Where the kerb edges went around the 1 corner it left large gaps which i filled with the dyed mortar. and smoothed flat to the next blocks. Once it started to cure i ran the trowel edge down the sides, this makes it look like a cut block or sliver of a block inserted in the gaps, Then used the same stuff on door step to fill the gaps which has survived the frost with ease, Great video

[@Tikkarifle]

All I hope is, that many builders (people who call themselves builders) watch your video content to see what clients would be happy with. Many thanks.

[@dakkan5433]

Great video really shows how much pre-preparing/excavating work must be done before the actual paving is laid Thought of doing the exact thing as well as levelling my front garden

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks - yes that's where most of the work is.

[@julianreverse]

In Germany your Type 1 is called 0/32, which stands for 0mm - 32mm, usually lime or basalt. Instead of Sand which is a great ant home, we use 2/5 basalt.

[@SoundOfYourDestiny]

Wow, that part about the petrol was really eye-opening! I was wondering what was wrong with my compactor.

[@Gogofam123]

This channel has a therapeutic effect on my mood. 🙏😀

[@dougsaunders8109]

Hardest bit on Oct 1. Refilling my compactor with petrol ⛽️ as there is none to be had…. 😁 Nicely explained as always

[@ProperDIY]

Yes that was strange timming really! Thanks

[@i4mCAST]

This guy is a UNIT, a straight machine 💪🏼 Awesome job, got me motivated!!! +1 Subscription

[@Showing_the_car_]

Thanks for "large bulbous end" and the definition of a glug 😀 Another cracking job as usual.

[@ProperDIY]

You only get a large bulbous end on this channel!!!

[@neilarmour4497]

Thats a really nice job. Something I was never that sure about doing myself but it's like everything else, once you know how to do it properly it looks great. Nice work.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. Start small - buy blocks individually from B&Q and work up

[@louai.hunedy]

Excellent job, properly explained with pure simplicity, well done mate.

[@paulrowley71]

Fantastic job there. You make it look so easy!

[@ProperDIY]

Not too difficult except digging 2 cube of earth on your own - that's not fun!

[@deedee8568]

Answers my thoughts on restraining edge. Genius! Well, ingenious.

[@somewhereelse3813]

Great finished job with great tips along the way that may prove useful for other projects for us novices. As always thanks

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@OfficialGamerGuides]

Thanks for the help much appreciated, I wasn't sure if i needed block edging or not, but after seeing your video, I don't need them as mine will be foot traffic only 👍

[@leeaw9699]

Excellent job well demonstrated...My so called drive way installer laid my blocks on building sand and when i asked him about it he said its fine. Anyway i told him not to come back and got someone else to do the job. Great video as always.

[@ProperDIY]

Good call! Anyone who thinks building sand is going to work long term should be removed from the job!

[@anthonydavid1965]

Superb job as always Stuart👍. However, having watched watched your video on mixing cement with soil, would it be possible to do away with the Type 1 base by using that method for a path/patio base and then incorporate the sand/screed on top as usual? Thanks if you can respond👍

[@spatel3783]

really helpful video, loved all the background explanation, like why we use MOT Type 1. Appreciate it.

[@lesthiele4921]

Sir, that was a excellent job you done on the small bin path, I hope you are keeping safe and well.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@falkotenbosch7057]

... I just came across your channel and you had my subscription at "no respect!" instantly. Still laughing...I knew I've found a kindred spirit. Looking fwd to watching all your videos.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one!

[@RichardHarper83]

Great video - it's refreshing to see someone doing it properly!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Very good tutorial with clear instructions through the whole of your video, very useful, thank you. 👍

[@pauldavies8112]

Hello Stuart. A good way of cutting a brick/paving block with a hammer and bolster is to place it on a mound of sand, this minimises the splitting in an unwanted part.

[@georgepritchard3010]

Decent looking job that. Placing blocks on a bed of sand when bolster cutting helps them cut in the right place but disk cutting is the way forward as shown by those nice fits on the cuts. Highly recommend the Marcrist blades. Not the cheapest but they last.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Good tips - I'll have to try next time.

[@stevenhadler9747]

Professional job!!! got slate on part of my drive but need to sort out something else as every time I turn car it digs up the slate, very annoying just don't feel confident to do it.... need you as my neighbour to give great advice and HELP lol..Great video....

[@keithwebb658]

If you are shoveling type 1, get it tipped on to a hard surface ie old sheets of ply or concrete so much easier to shovel into wheel barrows shoveling out of bags is a nightmare.

[@markrowley9801]

absolutely great video.........i just have one question, what about membrane to stop weeds? ...and where should this be positioned - below the crushed limestone? above the limestone but below the sand? above the sand and below the block?

[@BlueJayKRO]

Great job mate. Depending on whether they’re Clays or concrete blocks all depends on how they split. I use a 9” grinder as I consider it to be far neater than a block splitter or hammer and bolster, although as you say the grinder does make it a dirty and noisy job. Got yourself a new sub either way 👍🏼

[@robincooney1263]

Thank you - based on sound knowledge as ever. Always listen to the Engineer.

[@awantamta]

That is a very neat and tidy job and the bottom line is the bins are happy.

[@ProperDIY]

That's the main thing!

[@maxmelser35]

really awesome and clear instructions, one of the best I'v seen

[@barrywall3333]

Excellent video Stuart, one of the best yet I think.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you, do you think so, I'm glad you liked it.

[@jimboyle6974]

Another great video. Finished job looks great. Love to be able to do the same. Oh the house I could have if I was any way handy

[@markylg10]

Amazing work with a neat and professional finish. Top notch.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@pandraus]

I've watched all videos from the intro now, minus the broom one! great video as always!

[@ProperDIY]

Well done I'm most impressed. (To let you into a secret the broom one was not a video just me clearing out the garage before starting to build the garage door!)

[@GeeTheBuilder]

Just did my 70sqm patio this summer with porcelain 20mm thick slabs. 24” sq down to 12” sq I decided to use a thin layer of (sharp sand) concrete. And then exterior tile adhesive (since mortar doesn’t adhere to porcelain without prep) I did consider just using just the sharp sand but the area I had to work with was nasty. Lots of different areas all mixed together (some old foundations, some garden, some drainage etc) Nice job you did 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. 70m2 of porcelain is quite a job - well done!

[@liamsandie]

We have just had ours laid 50 sq m porcelain. The prep part to work with mortar is very simple to do using a simple slurry mix

[@NAZAM1122]

You're so professional. I wish I had you do my driveway 😊

[@ESF19791111]

VERY IMPORTANT AND RICH INFORMATION :) I LEARN A LOT FROM THIS VIDEO :) THANK YOU VERY MACH FOR SHARING :) AND IT LOOKS GREAT :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@rogercresswell1720]

Looked like a lot of hard work but a nice stylish path in the end. Great result.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Anything based around digging and moving heavy materials is always hard work

[@Rolandpgbrooks]

Excellent Video, I made the mistake of no enough sub base so made up the level with sand. Even though it was compacted. it ha now started to settle.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Oh, thats a shame

[@hughroberts5569]

Fantastic video Will give me the confidence to try to build my own patio Thank you

[@ProperDIY]

You can do it!

[@vooveks]

Proper job. I’m thinking of doing my own front path soon with similar blocks, so some great tips here. I am interested in how possible/hard it would be without a tamping machine, though. The path is about 70cm wide and 3 metres long so not huge. It’s on a very tight budget basically, so trying to avoid hiring anything. Cheers.

[@ivorfreebury3355]

Excellent video on this job of work. Why though, if it's only a path, did you use 80mm thick blocks which are used for highway traffickes surfaces ? Surely the 50mm thick blocks which are suitable for footpaths would be more economic and might even have cut easier by bolster chisel. Otherwise great instruction about how it should be done.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. 60mm thick actually and they were the cheapest ones at my local builders merchants!

[@frankiea6482]

Fantastic video. Clear, concise explanation of how it's done. Looks beautiful. Great work ethic. 👏👍👌💥😉

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much

[@pargolf3158]

Nice work. One question, is polymeric sand available in your area? It is better than the kiln dried sand as it has adhesive particles, so once you sweep it between the cracks you just sprinkle it with the hose and it becomes hard but still somewhat flexible so no weeds coming through.

[@CharlesBlackCat]

Great little video, gives me all the information to have a go myself.

[@johnstephens9248]

Just subscribed to your channel Stuart, enjoying so far. Do you do any video's on repairing/maintaining electric cement mixers?

[@andjuju6476]

Excellent attention to detail. Quality job.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@pootle01]

Brilliant job as usual and explained in a simple way, love watching the videos just wish there was more than the one a week!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. I would love to increase the frequency and currently thinking of different ways to do it - not necessarily by doing the big jobs - I don't think my body could stand it!

[@davidclark3603]

That's a nice neat finished job. I can do anything but groundwork. I worked for years at a university in their electrical departments. I can't do groundwork! Of course you can, people say! No i can't! I wish i could, but i cannot. Well done to anyone who can.

[@r0ckworthy]

Ah ha! So that's how you make the bricks along the edges super strong! You dig out some material underneath and then couch the whole corner in mortar! That would give you heroic-strength corners. Thanks Mr. Proper DIY.

[@YetSolema]

Your friend here from the philippines really enjoying your video, Full of knowledge.thanks for sharing this video my friend.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks and welcome

[@Shodan_AI]

nice video. did you find weeds started to pop up in between the blocks? They have polymeric sand which is supposed to be good at prevention. going to try it out on my driveway soon

[@valborchardt3596]

Oh wow Stuart, you really very hard….turned out great though so well done to you….as always, take care and be safe

[@andychapman3100]

Great video - brilliantly explained and finished !

[@adaliqbal6972]

Honestly really grateful for the help

[@paulburns3080]

Mustard job Stewart! Really informative and clear instruction as usual 👌🏼 thanks!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@contessa.adella]

Thank you. Seeing how a proper job is done really helps to avoid bodge ups, but wow! What a lot of materials are needed….did you cost it out? That short stretch of block paving must have cost a pretty penny by the time it was done. Next summer I want to replace my front picket fence with a low brick wall….These kinds of skills make the job easier and more professional.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it. I would think around £400 in total. Prob £1000+ if you you could find someone to do it.

[@dave9456]

What a lot of work buddy for something or nothing Saying that my mate who laid my 10m sq curved in places driveway didn't seem to put in much effort as you did Thanks for your demo, that bugger owes me a 50% reduction lol Good job 🙌🙌

[@10mray]

Love your videos. U make the jobs look easy. Look forward to the next one

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@jirivesely3320]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love your videos.

[@2spoons]

Nice quality building tips... much appreciated.... I'll be laying foundations for a green house... any tips in your new view ??

[@latitudeash]

I just looked up the SBI Standered for a ‘glut’ couldn’t find it. Do you think you should apply to SBI to get it included? Your definition, exactly as you stated is rather good… 🤣😂🤣😛…. Pubs may also need the definition for pints 🍻

[@tangoandcash999]

Lovely job. Makes it look easy. Question though, why don't you use weed fabric? Currently have horsetail coming through my drive. Nothing kills the stuff.

[@sajanthomas480]

Thank you . I am going to do this project soon. You are superb.

[@paulwilk69]

Wickes sell a sand that has a weed suppressant ingrained into it , I've used it for a couple of customers on resanding block paving .

[@samblenkharn8099]

Tidy video thanks. Is that mortar you used to haunch-up the outside edge of the path or concrete? Or was it mortar you pushed under the bricks and then concrete to make the haunch?

[@neilgraves5069]

Brilliant job . Back must be aching , well done 👏

[@ProperDIY]

Yes, thanks

[@sujithuyanahewa9766]

im sri lankan gardner i had very importen your vedio thank you .

[@MrBernie101]

Yet another helpful video Stuart 👍👍👍 But I can’t help feeling that you’ll soon have more tools/plant, than the local plant hire shop 🤣🤣 Kind Regards, Barnacle Bern.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Not that's a thought - Stuart's Plant Hire Ltd

[@r.d.1991]

Another cracking video once again. Brilliant stuff!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@WeekendShedHead]

Fabulously produced video , and a very neat job.. some great tips 👍👏

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@keithfoster7966]

When you explained MOT, WE called it tip and run, so put the sub base down then Compact

[@richbrock9876]

Happy bins, that’s what we all came for and indeed aspire to 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Yep

[@YesiPleb]

Awesome video as always, very well explained as always. Would you use the same method for laying slabs? Have you done a video on slabs like that for a patio?

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. I would always lay slabs on a sand/cement mortar. Because they are so thin relative to their size, I think there would be a tendency for the corner to push into the bedding sand if you stood on it which blocks can't do because of their shape.

[@strengtholdschool]

Any reason why you didn't place down a fabric weed barrier? (For the record I know nothing about gardening but I'm thinking of doing a DIY job so just looking for advice).

[@mikeprice5755]

Cracking channel. I live in a rental at the moment but I have big plans for the forever home to see me way into old age 🤣🤣

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@ryanq8487]

I noticed you had cuts in the middle sections in which you were using partial blocks was this due to the curvature?

[@TheLegend-nx3mm]

Hi Stuart, I'm a new subscriber. Excellent video, paving looks stunning. Well done you. Kind regards Danny from the uk.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you - welcome aboard

[@drummingriffin]

So a compactor won't run without fuel.....Who knew? 😁 Great tutorial and an excellent job. Cheers, Norm.

[@diquadhumungersaur492]

helpswithbolster to score all way rnd with lightish hit before giving it a good sharp thwack.. think the prescore gives the break something to "follow"

[@AccountantDoesDIY]

Enjoyed this one and like the dye idea. I’m about to build brick piers using a grey engineering brick and was wondering how to get matching mortar colour. Now I know! By the way, did your new house builder forget to use weed membrane under the gravel driveway ;-)

[@ProperDIY]

Weed membrane! There's bricks, broken tiles, building materials and all sorts - he definitely didn't put down weed membrane!