Block Paving Layer in Rowlands Castle

Block Paving Layers in Rowlands Castle — what to expect

For homeowners in Rowlands Castle, arranging block paving installation through local contractors means having a driveway or patio that is properly set up to withstand the South East’s damp winters and warm summers, and the work typically begins with a well-prepared sub-base and a screeded grit sand bed, onto which blocks are laid in a herringbone bond or stretcher bond depending on the effect you prefer, using tegula blocks or other shaped units that lock together tightly. The edge courses are usually concrete-haunched to give a solid perimeter, and the whole surface is then vibrated with a plate compactor so that the paving sits true and level, after which kiln-dried jointing sand is brushed into the gaps and compacted again to lock the blocks firmly in place. Should an older drive in the PO9 district be looking tired or have sunk in places, a lift and relay service is a sensible choice, as the original blocks can often be reused after the bedding is renewed and the sub-base levelled out, which saves money compared to starting from scratch, and the same team will typically re-screed the sand bed before laying the blocks back down in the original pattern. It is also worth asking about sealing, because a good quality sealant will protect the jointing sand from being washed out by rain and will keep moss and weeds from taking hold between the blocks, and your local Rowlands Castle installers will be happy to apply a couple of coats once the surface is dry and clean. Jointing is the stage that people often overlook, so when you get your quotes, make sure the specification includes kiln-dried jointing sand rather than a standard builder’s sand, as the former sets properly when swept and compacted, and for extra durability some contractors offer a polymeric jointing material that hardens into a resilient filler. Having a block paving job done properly in Rowlands Castle means the difference between a drive that stays firm and level for twenty years and one that needs patching up after a couple of seasons, so it is prudent to ask whether the edge courses are bedded on concrete and whether the sub-base depth is matched to the soil conditions around Hampshire’s clay and chalk. With a few local firms working in the area, you can compare what is on offer by asking each one for a written breakdown of the installation, relaying, jointing and sealing stages, which will help you sort out what is essential from what is optional, and that is a good way to get a fair price for the job.