Driveway advice : Best surface option? Cobblelock, gravel, tarmac, concrete?

Re: Driveway advice

hi, 4 inches of hardcore(804) compressed with a heavy wacker plate, 1-2 inches of PAVING sand again compressed is enough for a driveway base. Cost per metre ranges from €75-€100 supply and fit including groundwork for a proper contractor. Brush-in sand costs €5 per bag which covers approx. 5 sq. met. and is essential for stabilising the paving and weed control. Definitely the nicest of any finish on a drive if done properly and with care, worth every penny
 
Re: Driveway advice

monstie said:
hi, 4 inches of hardcore(804) compressed with a heavy wacker plate, 1-2 inches of PAVING sand again compressed is enough for a driveway base. Cost per metre ranges from €75-€100 supply and fit including groundwork for a proper contractor. Brush-in sand costs €5 per bag which covers approx. 5 sq. met. and is essential for stabilising the paving and weed control. Definitely the nicest of any finish on a drive if done properly and with care, worth every penny
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Yep

Thats it, are you a tradesman then? I pass info on, going by 20 years of
being married to one;) but then, its difficult to price a job, without seeing it, because it depends on the base, some need a lot of digging out, to make the ground level first, as I said before, getting the base right is the most important part.
 
Re: Driveway advice

Could anyone advise where you can buy silica sand? I have asked for Silica sand/brushin sand previously at my local hardware and the sand doesn't seem to gel or hold within the cobble lock. I suspect they just sold me a fine sand.
 
Re: Driveway advice

I went into roadstone over in tallaght(I think thats where is was anyway!) a few years ago and they didn't seem to know anything about Silica sand!

Is there a brand name for silica sand?
 
Re: Driveway advice

roadstone people call it brush- in sand but it is the same thing
 
Regarding the imprint concrete, anyone know what you can use to freshen it up? It's looking a bit worn after a few years.
 
I have pea gravel in my driveway, came with the house. I cannot recommend it enough. It needs a rake a couple of times a year but that's about it. If you spill something on it such as paint or engine oil just rake it and it disappears. Ours was the grey variety but we mixed in some white stones (only a few) and they glisten when it rains on them. Our neighbour got cobbleock, at a cost. The area where he drives his car has a dark mark from his tyres and some weeds and moss have taken up residence in the cracks.
 
Odea said:
I have pea gravel in my driveway, came with the house. I cannot recommend it enough. It needs a rake a couple of times a year but that's about it. If you spill something on it such as paint or engine oil just rake it and it disappears. Ours was the grey variety but we mixed in some white stones (only a few) and they glisten when it rains on them. Our neighbour got cobbleock, at a cost. The area where he drives his car has a dark mark from his tyres and some weeds and moss have taken up residence in the cracks.
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Weeds and moss are easily treatable in paving .You will also get weeds on gravel. Gravel is constantly displaced by car tyres which looks awful imo. Don't think you will find too many kids who are fond of gravel either - nightmare for bikes , scooters , prams go karts and the like.
 
With every outdoor surface there is a bit of maintenance involved every so often to prevent the likes of weeds and moss but over 10 or 15 years a cobblelock will cost no more than a gravel one and it dosnt tend to get stuck in your shoes as much as gravel and also gravel and wooden floors inside is a definite no no
 
Agree with you Brendan, it's a nightmare for kids. It looks great but the thoughts of stones stuck in shoes around the house wrecking the flooring.
 
I am the same, hate gravel, it looks ok, on country cottages, with thatched roofs, but I much prefer to see paving, a little work now and then, and you got a good firm driveway, and looks nice too.
 
Re: Driveway advice

monstie said:
hi, 4 inches of hardcore(804) compressed with a heavy wacker plate, 1-2 inches of PAVING sand again compressed is enough for a driveway base. Cost per metre ranges from €75-€100 supply and fit including groundwork for a proper contractor. Brush-in sand costs €5 per bag which covers approx. 5 sq. met. and is essential for stabilising the paving and weed control. Definitely the nicest of any finish on a drive if done properly and with care, worth every penny
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Just wondering if it is necessary to hire out a wacker to refit the sand or will just brushing it between the bricks be sufficient?

Should we spray for weeds before putting the sand in and if so what weed killer is suitable for use where a dog hangs about? Presumably we will need to leave a few days for the liquid spray killer to dry out to ensure that it does not cause problems with the sand?
 
Sueellen, where is the sand gone? Have you powerwashed it out? If so, you would be better off with a compactor so that the sand is worked well into the joints. It is the sand that creates a frictional bond between the bricks that stops them from rocking about.

Best thing is to brush in sand, compact (the sand will fill all voids in the joints) and then brush a final coat of sand to top up the joints again. Make sure the bricks and joints are competely dry before you brush in any sand.

I'm no expert on weedkiller but Roundup is good and I think it is safe enough for pets once it has dried (unless your dog has a habit of eating the weeds). Spray the roundup a few days before to ensure it completely gets into the weeds.
 
Squire said:
Sueellen, where is the sand gone? Have you powerwashed it out?

If so, you would be better off with a compactor so that the sand is worked well into the joints. It is the sand that creates a frictional bond between the bricks that stops them from rocking about.

Best thing is to brush in sand, compact (the sand will fill all voids in the joints) and then brush a final coat of sand to top up the joints again. Make sure the bricks and joints are competely dry before you brush in any sand.

I'm no expert on weedkiller but Roundup is good and I think it is safe enough for pets once it has dried (unless your dog has a habit of eating the weeds). Spray the roundup a few days before to ensure it completely gets into the weeds.
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Yep, never do things by halves. Should probably have been more careful but the sand was covered in moss also.

What's the difference between a compactor and a wacker (whacker?)? When they did the job originally they used the latter.

Will have to measure the area also and do a guesstimate on the amount of sand needed. Trip over to Roadstone needed also.
 
have you checked out www.matcrete.ie
came across them before when i thinking about doing some work out the back.. the city council in cork have used it at some junctions between streets running from south mall, looks well
 
sueellen said:
What's the difference between a compactor and a wacker (whacker?)? When they did the job originally they used the latter.
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No difference, a Wacker is just a make of plate compactor. You don't need anything too big, just ask for a small petrol plate compactor in your local hire shop. Wear a dust mask and ear plugs when using it. That dried sand is very bad for the lungs.
 
Squire said:
No difference, a Wacker is just a make of plate compactor. You don't need anything too big, just ask for a small petrol plate compactor in your local hire shop. Wear a dust mask and ear plugs when using it. That dried sand is very bad for the lungs.
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Thanks for your help and advice Squire. Nearly finished the cleaning. Will let it dry out properly, then spray, then let that dry and wait for some good weather before laying the sand. The good weather will be sure to arrive when the poor kids step inside the school doors :)
 
jus to have a different perspective... I have paving and cobblelock and I powerwash them once every few years to keep them clean. Last time round I didn't get around to replacing the sand in time and I now have a weed problem but instead of spraying with chemicals I am pulling, scraping and burning them over time. I don't use chemicals anywhere in the garden.
 
I've used printed concrete about 6 years ago and its a great job where between 4 - 6 inches of concrete is laid, coloured and then a pattern is imprinted onto it - cobble, slate or whatever you fancy. Many colours and prints & designs are available. It can be expensive to have done (>£35/sqm) but it is a life time job but is by specialist contractor. It require littles or no maintenance. As with any driveway you should be careful not to allow any HGVs e.g. oil delivery lorries onto it!
 
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