Signs a driveway has been poorly installed

Question

We had a new block paving driveway laid six months ago and parts of it are already moving and settling unevenly. What are the signs that it wasn't done correctly from the start?

Simon · Accepted Answer

That is a good sign that it hadnt been done correctly,  also if its Permable you should  see  5m stone inbetween if not dry kilned sand. Good fixed edges ie, edging kerbs or simular if against flowerbeds or loose ground, The Blocks should stay in line not wander off. Its everything you dont see that is most important like the substructure make up.

Dean · Answer

Hi. You should have had a proper sub base laid. 100mm of MOT Type 1 crushed limestone the the blocks laid on 30mm of sharp sand. The edge blocks should have laid on a proper bed as well to begin with. Once laid , sweep in kiln dried sand and compact again. Hope this helps?
Thank you.
Dean.
J Ketley Construction Ltd

Kaiden · Answer

Six months is far too early for a block paving drive to be moving — that’s rushed groundwork, not the blocks.

Main culprit is the sub-base. You need around 150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 underneath. If it’s dipping in the wheel tracks, it was too shallow or never properly compacted.

Check the edges too — blocks should be locked in with concrete haunching. Gaps opening or blocks creeping outwards means the edge restraint’s failed. And if any rock underfoot, the laying course is too thin.

I’d get someone independent to lift a couple of blocks and see what’s underneath before going back to the installer — that gives you real evidence of how it was built, not just a guess.

Roger · Answer

Hi if it's bin laid wrong sounds like it's not got enough bed ie subbase it should be 4 inch 100 mm deep  it mite be best to take a few blocks up in a corner and see how deep the sub base is if it isn't deep enough the whole driveway will have to come up we dug out and re-laid nothing much more then can be done

Carl · Answer

You have already answered what signs you see. Basically very poor sub base  and not enough of it. Not compacted enough causing the drive to start sinking. Moving is caused by the edging not being concreted in properly  sound like they just done a strip of concrete  along the edging. Never strong enough to hold the driveway together.  Sound like a very poor job after 6 months.

Michael · Answer

Hi Mo,
Warning signs as the drive is be installed is are the borders installed correctly edges of drive should be Haunches or have Kerbs installed.
Also the sub base is of utmost importance correct depth correct materials Type 1 Road stone should be used not crushed concrete and the correct amount of compaction with a vibrating Wacker plate.
I hope this if some help to you.

Regards,

Michael

Jamie · Answer

If a block paving driveway is showing movement and settlement after only six months, that’s often a sign that the underlying construction wasn’t done properly rather than normal wear and tear. While a small amount of bedding-in can occur, noticeable sinking, rocking blocks, or uneven areas so soon after installation are red flags

Steven · Answer

If it's starting to sink and move they've most likely to not have compacted it down properly

Signs a driveway has been poorly installed

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