Block Paving Layer in High Biggins

Block Paving Layers in High Biggins — what to expect

In High Biggins, the quiet lanes and farm tracks of the LA6 district often bear the marks of decades of weather, and it is here that local block paving installers earn their keep, laying fresh tegula blocks in a herringbone bond or a simpler stretcher bond depending on the drive’s intended traffic. The proper approach, as any Cumbrian contractor will tell you, begins with a well-prepared sub-base, followed by a screeded grit sand bed that is levelled with a straightedge before each block is tapped into place. Edge courses are then set in concrete and haunched to prevent the whole surface from creeping, and the final stage is a thorough plate compaction to lock everything down. When a driveway has settled over the years, a lift and relay service is often the more sensible route than starting over, particularly where the original sand has washed out and the blocks have begun to edge their way apart. After relaying, the joints are swept with kiln-dried jointing sand, which is vibrated into every narrow gap, or a polymeric jointing compound may be used to stiffen the surface against weed growth and ant activity. Sealing is the last and often most overlooked step, a protective coat that keeps the colour rich and the sand in place, something that the damp climate of the North West makes particularly worthwhile. For those in High Biggins thinking about a new frontage or sorting out an uneven patio, a quiet word with two or three nearby firms can reveal a great deal about their preferred methods and materials. It is always sensible to let the driveway sit for a few weeks before sealing, and to compare quotes from local installers who know exactly how the Cumbrian weather will test a new surface. A well-laid block surface should last for decades, so it pays to look at the details of the workmanship rather than the price alone.