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More about block paving driveways, paving and patios:
Block Paving is the ideal surface to be used anywhere either for driveways, patios or pathways. When it is correctly laid by professionals such as ourselves it can really look fantastic and will be a long lasting surface that will provide many years of service. Block Paving can also be mixed and combined with other surfaces, such as tarmacadam, and when this is done it can create a superb feature. You can for example have a large tarmac driveway area with a block paving circle feature in the middle using a particular style and design of block or what is more common is a block paving edge around the perimeter of the driveway. The designs and styles of bricks/blocks that you can choose from also vary greatly and you will have a massive selection to choose from before you deicide on which you prefer the most. One of our surveyors from Regency Drives Ltd will have an extensive portfolio with them on your site visit so that you can browse through, have a look and decide which one will suit your area the best.
Using sealant on Block Paving
Sealing block paving bricks has a two fold effect. First of all, discolouration from the sun is undermined in the event that the blocks and the cement adhering each block to the next is coloured for aesthetics. Secondly, water damage is prevented as the water cannot permeate the bricks in any way. However, there are also other reasons for applying block sealant to a paved area. Weeds or moss can be problematic, but the chance of growth is mitigated if not removed entirely with treated brickwork.
Algae and fungi of various kinds often need wet conditions in which to thrive. Again, with the waterproofing of the treated surface, this is far less likely to occur. It is also far easier to remove grease or oil stains from treated paving than untreated paving. It may cost more in the longer term not to have your block paving treated chemically with sealant. A decade from the first installation, the block paving may have weathered so much without it that the sealant would have saved on the costs of a re-paving job. If sealant is applied after installation rather than during the original block paving job, the service provider will thoroughly clean the area before applying.
Block paving, retaining walls and maintenance requirements
Block paving is commonly used in domestic driveways. It may be flanked by retaining walls. Retaining walls may take the weight when there is a change in the elevation in ground levels between the paving and another surface. For example, if the paving is on a slope – or conversely, the grass alongside it is sloping down towards the paving – a retaining wall may be installed to withstand the pressure between the two. It may also serve as a means by which drainage can be handled. Drainage is naturally important, as if the block paving is replacing a soil based surface such as a lawn, rain water will need to drain off elsewhere.
Block paving is a great means of covering over a surface where parking spaces are limited and the need for a parking space is of paramountcy. Such areas include the front gardens of houses where there is no parking available or permitted on the street. Block paving can actually visually enhance such an area, rather than detract from it. It also requires far less time to devote to its maintenance. Regularly mowing a lawn and trimming its edges is more time consuming than occasionally sweeping a path or driveway. (10 December 2010) ||
Advantages of Block Paving for Your New Driveway
If you notice that your asphalt or cement driveway has cracks on it, it is definitely time for you to build a new one. Block paving is the most ideal here since this will last longer and they look better than both asphalt and cement. When you drive along the streets, you may have noticed that most of them are made of cement or asphalt or a mixture of both. Note how often these streets are being repaired. If you do not want to have the same experience, which is quite costly in terms of the maintenance and repair expenses, you should choose block paving. There are a lot of contractors that you can hire in order for you to have a paved driveway. However, if that may seem too luxurious for you, you can opt to do everything by yourself. This is another advantage of block paving since it is the only type of driveway which you can install on your own. Block paving is comparable to laying bricks. However, before you do that, you should first remove the existing driveway. You may need to arrange for a dumpster, which you will use to haul the broken and cracked driveway. Make sure that you have a plan of how your driveway will look like when you are through with the block paving task. The most popular type of block paving is using cobblestones but you can also utilize sandstone, bricks and limestone. Block paving allows you to divulge your own artistry by using intricate patterns when paving your new driveway. Maintaining the health of your paved driveway is easy, which is why this is more preferred by a lot of residents in the United States. If you notice that there are cracked bricks, you do not have to worry since breaking them down and taking them up will only take you an hour as opposed to other driveway types which will take you days to finish. 22.9.11.
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