Monobloc
Monobloc is by far the most popular way to cover your driveway as it is long lasting, very easy to maintain and provides an attractive look to your property.
It is also one of the most complained about coverings as people are often offered cheap prices they think there getting a bargain.
This is the reality of the bargain, within two years it starts to come apart, weeds grow up between the bloc and it will look like a complete shambles with big furrows.
I say this virtually everyday about monobloc drives it is the base layer that determines how good your drive is not the bloc on top. It is also essential to edge a bloc drive with either small key kerb or concrete edging as this is what holds the drive together.
The requirements for laying monobloc are:
- The dig out 150 mm for hardcore, 50 mm for sand and 50 mm for the block which means the top 250mm needs to come out of your drive which is a lot of material. Example removing 50 sqm to a depth of 250 mm result is approximately 25 tonnes to be removed which is 3 skips.
- During the dig out there should be no services visible at a depth of 250mm experience tells us different some pipes do not meet their required depth. In this case it is the suppliers responsibility to repair any damage.
- Infill the drive with hardcore to a level of 150mm and compact using a motorised roller for at least 5 passes. Then install the edging stones which is the frame that holds the blocks in place. Edging can be small grey key kerb which is attractive but more expensive than strait concrete edging.
- Then the sand is spread over the area at a depth of approximately 50mm and this can be whacked or rolled.
- Finally the blocks can be laid over the prepared area.
Once laid the kiln dried sand is used to lock them into position. If you wash your drive with a power washer it is important to refill the joints with kiln dried sand. This area should then be whacked to settle the blocks into position.