Driveway

[Munroast]

I am going to widen the entrance to the driveway, which you can see by the picture I got started the day by digging out the area it is going to be extended into.

The plan: Form a new edge just in from the grass, dig completely out the old edge, fill with hardcore, compact down and then relay the new paviour blocks on a bed of sharp sand.

My Questions; How long after I lay the new edge on/in concrete can I add the hardcre and compact down? I know its sort of dam-shaped but I don't want the compacter to break it. Is a week enough?

Also, the old edge, if I just break off the top of the edging leaving the concrete below (it will be close to the underneath of the blocks) will it be obvious what I have done? or would I be best digging all the concrete out and have an even sub-base throughout ?

 

[Ian H]

A week is plenty. If you leave the concrete in and the rest settles a bit then the new bit above it may sit proud of the rest.

 

[Munroast]

A week is plenty. If you leave the concrete in and the rest settles a bit then the new bit above it may sit proud of the rest.

As it turns out the concrete holding up the original edge was fairly soft (must of been 8:1 / 10:1) , soon broke it up with a little micky mouse 2kg SDS

By the time I get round to back filling with hardcore and getting a whacker the concrete on the new edge will of had a few weeks, and with the turf relaid I'm guessing it should be strong enough

When I back fill with hardcore, what sort of gap should I allow for for the sharp sand - (what depth of sharp sand should these blocks sit in? looks like they have used about an inch on whats there)) is that about right?

 

[Ian H]

Not more than 50mm of sand

If you can match the existing that would be ideal.