How to lay block paving

This page explains a method that can be used for anyone that wants to lay block paving on a driveway. It should be noted that people with surfaces which are likely to have heavy traffic or vans driven and parked on them should increase the size of the foundation. Roads and public right of ways are usually laid with thicker blocks too to ensure that there is no dipping. On side paths and patios where no vehicles will be traelling over can use less foundation. A rough idea is to add on 2 inches for drives that will have vans on them and take off 2 inches for patios and paths.

Laying blocks on a driveway

• Excavate existing surface to a depth of at least 10 inches (250mm). This is best done with a digger which can be hired with an operator. Smaller areas can be dug off by hand but it may still be wise to hire a concrete breaker to loosen the ground. 

• Take into consideration the falls. Make sure that the water on the finished block paving will be able to run off, This may mean you need to dig off more in places. Attach string lines to pins in the ground to judge the levels. 
• Lay your foundation stone 6 inches deep. Compact it with a roller that you push (from hire shop). You can also use a heavy duty wacker plate but it will need to be thoroughly compacted. You will need to add and take away stone in areas to ensure the falls are correct. Leave 4 inches for the sand and block pavers. 
• Fit edging blocks, curbs and manhole covers as required. These should be secured with a strong semi wet concrete mix under and to the external side. 
• Lay 1 inch of grit sand and compact well with a vibrating compactor plate (wacker plate). Never make up levels by adding extra sand as it might lead to the blocks sinking in future. Lay another inch+ of sand and screed. This is done by laying 2 metal poles (e.g. scaffolding poles) and firmly pulling a strong piece of wood over the top of the sand. This will take off excess sand to leave 2 inches for the block pavers. This part needs to be perfectly accurate. 

• Lay the blocks starting at the front of the driveway in a herringbone pattern. This paving looks best laid at a 45 degree angle to the house but can also be laid square on (90 degree). Laying the bricks square on often means easier cutting around the edges. There is no need to leave a gap between blocks as they have slight ridges. 
• Cut edging blocks with a brick splitter, or you can use a grinder with a diamond blade. 
• Brush kiln dried sand over the blocks in a circular motion so that it falls into the joints. Compact the blocks with a vibrating plate, this also helps the sand into the joints. Brush sand over the driveway again until joints are filled. This needs to be done when surface is dry. 

The surface can be used immediately, but you may need to lay some bagged tarmac or concrete along the foot path, so let that dry first.