OT block paving blocks

[sm_jamieson]

OT since not DIY, but I was *going* to try the block paving (30 m2) myself before I was banned my SWMBOA ! The quotes we got are for 50mm blocks. The contractors we chose can do 60mm blocks for an extra 250 quid. Since their sub-base is well specified and the whole job is guaranteed, I suppose they think 50mm is fine, but the blocks still seem a bit thin to me. A few years ago 60mm was the standard block. Should we pay an extra 250 quid for 60mm blocks ? Simon.

[Bob Minchin]

Normally 60mm for vehicle use, 50mm for foot traffic.

[harry]

f before I was banned my SWMBOA ! The quotes we got are for 50mm blocks. Th e contractors we chose can do 60mm blocks for an extra 250 quid. Since thei r sub-base is well specified and the whole job is guaranteed, I suppose the y think 50mm is fine, but the blocks still seem a bit thin to me. A few yea rs ago 60mm was the standard block.

Not easy to lay & remain level. I laid about 8,000. By the time I'd finished I was pretty good.

[sm_jamieson]

elf before I was banned my SWMBOA ! The quotes we got are for 50mm blocks. The contractors we chose can do 60mm blocks for an extra 250 quid. Since th eir sub-base is well specified and the whole job is guaranteed, I suppose t hey think 50mm is fine, but the blocks still seem a bit thin to me. A few y ears ago 60mm was the standard block.

50mm usually stated as OK for driveways these days: 00

[sm_jamieson]

elf before I was banned my SWMBOA ! The quotes we got are for 50mm blocks. The contractors we chose can do 60mm blocks for an extra 250 quid. Since th eir sub-base is well specified and the whole job is guaranteed, I suppose t hey think 50mm is fine, but the blocks still seem a bit thin to me. A few y ears ago 60mm was the standard block.

The theory is that you level the surface first and then just place the bloc ks onto it. So the trick is to get the compressed sand flat by whacking and then scraping it off, but still leave enough give to whack the whole thing down to the final level. However I'm sure some tweaking is still required as you go along.

I saw another (probably) DIYer doing it and he was trying to level the sand as he went along - NOT how the professionals do it. It took him about a we ek !

Anyway I am going to keep the best of the old blocks so I'll try a small se ction down the garden sometime. The nice thing about blocks laid this way i s you can take them up and have another go.

Simon.

[dennis]

I have relaid one set of blocks three times now and the bloody rats still keep tunnelling under them and the blocks fall into the tunnels.

The next thing to try is broken glass in the sand.

If that doesn't work I may as well makes a concrete slab.

[harry]

Or get rid of the rats?

[News]

In message , dennis@home.?.invalid writes

Could you take one or two posters from here and lose them in the foundations?

[dennis]

I tried, a squirrel ran off with all the bait, 100 big cheese poison blocks. They are probably buried.

[harry]

There's other ways of getting rid of rats.

[dennis]

None that work.

[Tim Lamb]

In message , dennis@home.?.invalid writes

The *carry home* bait sachets work in time. However, our masters have decreed that these are no longer safe to use without training and certification.