BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LANDSCAPE GARDENERS
  • Home
  • Landscaping
    • Decking
    • Driveways
    • Garden Patios
    • Garden drainage
    • Fencing
    • Turfing
    • Planting
    • Landscape Gardeners Amersham
  • Design
    • Landscaping Ideas
  • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Contact

Can you pave over block paving?

3/7/2022

1 Comment

 
Can you pave over block paving
This article contains affiliate links


Very often when confronted with a new project there is always a desire to make things quick and easy. If you are building a new patio or driveway, excavation and base work can be expensive and laborious.

Many times people wonder if you can simply lay over the old surface to save time and money. This is no less the case with block paving patios and driveways.

In this article we will investigate to answer the question, can you pave over block paving?

Levels


​Before we dive into the exploration of suitable block paving base work we need to address surface levels. Whenever you desire to lay directly over old paving you have to ask the question, will the levels allow me? Look at where your patio or driveway level meets the home, pavement and sideway.

Do you really want an awkward step at these points? Will you need to change the height of gates and garage doorways?  Paving should not go any higher to your homes damp proof course than two bricks high (150mm). This is to prevent too much moisture being exposed to the walls of your home.

Occasionally some people attempt to ramp new paving up and over existing paving for transition levels to meet. This not only looks terrible but can be hazardous. Therefore in terms of finished levels it is not a good idea to pave over block paving. 
​
Block paving step

Block paving construction


​Block paving is a popular choice for the installation of surfaces which take vehicular traffic. There is a good reason many driveways are built using this method. Block paving relies upon the fundamentals of flexible construction.

This is whereby construction can resist destructive forces by allowing small movements within its structure. This can be seen in the engineering of tall buildings or floor levels which take transitory loads. This is also the case with block paving!

The daily movements of a heavy vehicle are concentrated onto four, small, surface, areas. Hence the surface needs a small amount of flexibility built into the paving. This is why block paving is laid upon a layer of compacted sand.

When sanded the blocks interlock into a continuous, flexible, wearing, surface. Edgings are concreted in to provide a ridged and retaining barrier to the perimeter. This enables the central screed to remain compacted with no displacement. 
​
Block paving driveway

The problem with paving over block paving

The biggest problem you have with paving over block paving is it is flexible. Meaning you do not have a rigid base to lay upon. This means your new paving will probably crack and distort over time.

This combined with the difficulties of surrounding levels means you should not really pave over block paving.

Not only that you cannot guarantee the base of the existing blocks was built correctly. If it wasn’t then there is an even higher threat it will distort and crack overtime.

Excavating the old base means you can rest assured the job has been carried out correctly. By trying to save money on excavation you will more often than not, spend more in the long run.  


Brindle block paving
Thank you for reading our article on can you pave over block paving. Did it help in your research? If so why not share it via the tabs below, this really helps us to write more useful content in the future. 

​If you are undertaking your very own paving project why not visit our recommended equipment page? 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


'As an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases'
1 Comment
Iris Smith link
12/21/2022 07:58:50 pm

Thank you for mentioning that you should pay attention to the intersection of your patio's or driveway's level with the road, sidewalk, and sideways. My sister wants the driveway in front of her house to be paved. I would advise her to hire a driveway paving expert to ensure that the driveway level fully meets her house.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    The Author 
    Paul Nicolaides 
    BA (Hons) Dip

    Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening. 
Landscaping services across Buckinghamshire, Norfolk & East Anglia 

Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Rockland All Saints, Attleborough, Norfolk
Read our Google Reviews
Picture

What Our Clients Are Saying

​Paul laid a very curvy brick mow strip all around our lawn and also added a circular patio and added some new grassed areas. He paid so much attention to each brick laid to make sure the end results was perfect. Despite the wet and muddy work everything was made good and looked amazing once finished. His enthusiasm and knowledge for the garden and plants was infectious. He even fixed a couple of broken paving slabs that he saw down our side alley without being asked It is refreshing to see someone take so much pride and care in their work and we would definitely book him again for any other garden project."
Privacy Policy

Contact Us

Call me on 07535228686

    Newsletter Subscription

Subscribe to Newsletter
Photos from Maggie Hoffman, Aaron Volkening, Darlene Roelofsen, David Paul Ohmer, denis.zabin, Permaculture Association, Bill Selak, The fixed factor, The Garden Smallholder, Tauralbus, nan palmero, Lee Cannon, Monkeystyle3000, Darlene Roelofsen, nicolas.boullosa, Bryn Pinzgauer, cattan2011, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Matthew Paul Argall, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), tdlucas5000, Acabashi, Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier, Gilles Gonthier, Martin Hesketh, Owen P, steve p2008, Bennilover, *_*, blumenbiene, Julianna, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Daryll90ca, Wendell Smith, Acabashi, Decorative Concrete Kingdom, Permaculture Association, MizGingerSnaps, Tjflex2, wuestenigel, travel oriented, Aaron Volkening, shixart1985, SupportPDX, pete. #hwcp, MostlyDross, Local Food Initiative, Ronald Douglas Frazier, Oregon State University, perfectgrassltd, shixart1985 (CC BY 2.0), aarongunnar, Acabashi, Actual Brian Crawford, jeans_Photos, alh1, Darlene Roelofsen, Rromani from Romania, docoverachiever, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), tawalker, markfountain52, Maria Eklind, treegrow, deckerme, Kevan, richardghawley, Ivan Radic, Mark Wordy, garryknight, Matt Lavin, greger.ravik, Capt' Gorgeous, LWT Gunnersbury Triangle, Wonderlane, Rudi1976, stonescape, Dinesh Valke, troutcolor, Acabashi, Juhele_CZ, Darlene Roelofsen, pikkuanna, tdlucas5000, Jocey K, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Acabashi, focusonmore.com, BethinAZ, zoetnet, kurt.stocker, Monkeystyle3000, ell brown, Bryn Pinzgauer, Mark Wordy, infomatique, Linda N., Armcon Precast, Tinkers Moon, AnnSophieQ, mikecogh, Bob Klannukarn, Aiko, Thomas & Juliette+Isaac, ChrisHamby, Alessandro_Corsoni, Stiller Beobachter, GLVF, denisbin, MizGingerSnaps, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), garryknight, goforchris, Dick Thompson Sandian, alljengi, Paul Comstock, Kelowna09, Decorative Concrete Kingdom, Kanesue, BlossomPDX, Wonderlane, alh1, PAUL (Van de Velde) -Fotografie, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Paul and Jill, Gilles Gonthier, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), katunchik, thinkactlove, gidlark, jugreen_de, Ivan Radic, tompagenet, corsi photo, www.to-tuscany.com, Mark Wordy, UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden, Aaron Volkening, Mark AC Photos, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, arripay, denisbin, alans1948, wallygrom, Frank.Vassen, alh1, Scottb211, LenkinDesign, wallygrom, Mike Bonitz, Aaron Volkening, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), juliamaudlin, dwblakey, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, mikecogh, jeans_Photos, Corey Leopold, Jeremy Levine Design, Kaibab National Forest Photography, Ciarán Mooney, onnola, 35mmMan, longlabcomms, nc.hort, Jamiecat *, pom'., Puddin Tain, Acabashi, tompagenet, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), Loz Flowers, Alan Stanton, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic (CC BY 2.0), denisbin, Darlene Roelofsen, zakzak7, Center for Neighborhood Technology, wht_wolf9653, LenkinDesign, HerryLawford, FoodCraftLab, Miranda J Wood, Key West Wedding Photography, Montgomery County Planning Commission, bienen-nachrichten.de, zaphad1, SupportPDX, Ronald (Ron) Douglas Frazier, itmpa, Judy Gallagher, SteveR-, kylehase, simonmgc, treegrow, garryknight, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, el cajon yacht club, cattan2011, Ed Bierman, mikecogh, Mike Prince, photofarmer, M. Martin Vicente, Darlene Roelofsen, La Citta Vita, Mary Gillham Archive Project, Puddin Tain, sustainablejill, ScotGov Rural, Macleay Grass Man, Andesine, denisbin, *_*, samsaundersleeds, onnola, James St. John, Pixelteufel, www.twin-loc.fr, The359, F. D. Richards, berniedup, Monkeystyle3000, Mark AC Photos, Mark Wordy, michael clarke stuff, La Citta Vita, jeremy_norbury, gbohne, jmeissen, blumenbiene, Scrap Pile, eibar, Allan Hack, 4nitsirk, Phil Gayton, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Ruth and Dave, AnnSophieQ, pete. #hwcp, regina11163, Matt Lavin, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋), john.purvis, MikeHawkwind, Key West Wedding Photography, alh1, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, tristanf, shixart1985, blumenbiene, Paul Comstock, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Seattle Parks & Recreation, MCristian2013, Ruth and Dave, alh1, Matt From London, Ruth and Dave, Matt Lavin, ndrwfgg, Mara ~earth light~ free potential, radio silence, wallygrom, Maria Eklind, brewbooks, denisbin, Maria Eklind, F. D. Richards, Tauralbus, samsaundersbristol, carolinezimmermann.com, Maria Eklind, roger4336, MAMM Miguel Angel, Jeanne Menjoulet, Mark Wordy, Mark Wordy, stanzebla, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, wbaiv, Tauralbus, Sharon Mollerus, dsearls, denisbin, OregonDOT, Tatiana12, ell brown, puffin11uk, Croydon Clicker, LodestonePhotography, Ronald Douglas Frazier, Tauralbus, basak senova, Vicky Brock, Ivan Radic, dalbera, Melanie-m, La Citta Vita, Ross A Hall, alh1, Allan Henderson, Sharon Mollerus, SJU Undergraduate Admissions, dungodung, Sustainable Economies Law Center, Puddin Tain, alh1, Firebirdflame, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, gbohne, ell brown, grassrootsgroundswell, gertjanvannoord, thetalesend, Tony Armstrong-Sly, Mark Wordy, Hub☺, rcamboim, Sandrine Rouja, Oregon State University, Darlene Roelofsen, danciminera, harum.koh, Baugher Webmaster Services, HerryLawford, Gail Frederick, wallygrom, Neilhooting, Arnie Papp, foilman, Stephi 2006, Mom the Barbarian, Ivan Radic, 雷太, Arty Guerillas, marcoverch, JPC24M, Chik_v, mikecogh, Robert T Bell, LenkinDesign, sugarfrizz, mikecogh, heyexit, grabadonut, JohnSeb, alljengi, Permaculture Association, LennyWorthington, wallygrom, waferboard, wallygrom, STC4blues, gailhampshire, RJJ245, travelling_eidolon, Me in ME, prof.bizzarro, foilman, Maurizio Albissola.com, dejankrsmanovic, André Hofmeister, It's No Game, Sterling College, wallygrom, Permaculture Association, Martin Cooper Ipswich, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, InvisibleGarden.org, irio.jyske, MeganEHansen, F. D. Richards, John Rusk, conall.., thatredhead4, tedeytan, tawalker, Vicky Brock, Infomastern, Paul and Jill, Starr Environmental, don_macauley, s1ng0, orangeaurochs, John McLinden, karenandbrademerson, wallygrom, Tobyotter, Sustainable Economies Law Center, akhouseproject, chimpwithcan, heystax, Puddin Tain, winecountrymedia, Landscape Design Advisor, Darlene Roelofsen, ell brown, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, Michele Dorsey Walfred, Günter Hentschel, watts_photos, Morgaine, 阿橋花譜 KHQ Flower Guide, Local Food Initiative, tdlucas5000, Ruth and Dave, BulletproofSloth, London Less Travelled, Andrew Stawarz, Michele Dorsey Walfred, midwestlawnandlandscape, Darlene Roelofsen, sybarite48, Pam_Broviak, Gail Frederick, massmatt, Grow It, Catch It, Cook It, D H Wright, chuck b., Maria Eklind, wuestenigel, amandabhslater, timo_w2s, 666isMONEY ☮ ♥ & ☠, Wendell Smith, shixart1985, gailhampshire, mriggen, poppet with a camera, James St. John, liveoncelivewild, urbanfoodie33, wallygrom, onnola, shixart1985, Darien Library, emmacraig1, wuestenigel, laijos, matsuyuki, Monkeystyle3000, anoldent, alh1, mikecogh, HerryLawford, MeganEHansen, Michele Dorsey Walfred, cattan2011, ScotGov Rural, North Charleston, juantiagues, Rosmarie Voegtli, pstenzel71, RaeAllen, Edna Winti, Matt Lavin, S∆M.I.∆M, alh1, Starr Environmental, comedy_nose, Alizarin Krimson, jmlwinder, sebastian.rittau, mikecogh, Scott McLeod, alh1, Mark Wordy, shixart1985, transport131, Nick Saltmarsh, owlhere, Maria Eklind, agulivanov, woodleywonderworks, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic, Paakkonen Photo, ell brown, Smoobs, liesvanrompaey, stonescape, Darlene Roelofsen, AndreyZharkikh, Larry Lamsa, wallygrom, cazalegg, *_*, Charles Patrick Ewing, kamirao, cricketsblog, Mary Gillham Archive Project, deczak, Doolallyally, RASSIL, Smudge 9000, Loz Flowers, stanzebla, Acabashi, treegrow, jmlwinder, HerryLawford, edenpictures, wlcutler, shaire productions, S John Davey, Doolallyally, Percita, Prof. Mortel, Björn S..., mikecogh, @tc_goatwriter, *_*, Frank.Vassen, Robbie1, foilman, garryknight, EliteBalustradeImages, Derek N Winterburn, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, redirockphotodatabase, alh1, yewchan, Gunnar Ries zwo, hedera.baltica, itmpa, bluefootedbooby, john shortland, Fiberon, Center for Neighborhood Technology, Aaron Volkening, yellow book, M. Martin Vicente, David Paul Ohmer, amandabhslater, Dinesh Valke, jeans_Photos, grongar, arripay, Maria Eklind, Phil Gayton, Anton Rannala, amandabhslater, patrick_standish, Akuppa, cristina.sanvito, Puddin Tain, waferboard, Mark Wordy, Mike Bonitz, Juanedc, Björn S..., Clive Varley, vastateparksstaff, madaise, edenpictures, plentyofants, kitmasterbloke, barnoid, mark.hogan, chuck b., F. D. Richards, Ivan Radic, *rboed*, sustainablejill, Martin Pettitt, Thien Gretchen, Atmovera, mikecogh, Wildroof, tompagenet, jacilluch, wlcutler, stanzebla, La Citta Vita, Rob.Bertholf, Landscape Design Advisor, Aaron Volkening, osiristhe, MarilynJane, wallygrom, spinster, Maria Eklind, hedera.baltica, kewl, Dave_S., Julia Manzerova, Landscape Design Advisor, ActiveSteve, onnola, mikecogh, Ankur Panchbudhe, Phil Gayton, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Tatters ✾, ianpreston, Ruth and Dave, wallygrom, titanium22, T.Kiya, PAUL (Van de Velde) -Fotografie, stanzebla - voyage voyage, yellow book, Aaron Volkening, MeganEHansen, puffin11uk, Maria Eklind, TravelBakerCounty, Acabashi, Keith Laverack, quinet, anro0002, NSPaul, mikecogh, sybarite48, amandabhslater, ell brown, alljengi, wallygrom, LWT Gunnersbury Triangle, the real Kam75, mikecogh, lupisfer, piropiro3, Beverly Pearl, hedera.baltica, Deanster1983 who's mostly off, edenpictures, berriehol, Mick E. Talbot, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, string_bass_dave, danperry.com, Peter Curbishley, sybarite48, alh1, M. Martin Vicente, Amarnath, loutraje, conall.., goforchris, USFWS Headquarters, ianpreston, F. D. Richards, quinet, jmlwinder, carabou, wallygrom, wallygrom, engcon, nicolas.boullosa, wwarby, fringedbenefit, Crinklecrankle.com, Jim Morefield, F. D. Richards, MizGingerSnaps, Lauren Gutierrez, Tim Green aka atoach, daryl_mitchell, wallygrom, yewchan, Green Mountain Girls Farm, Darlene Roelofsen, HerryLawford, treegrow, Kirt Edblom, Eric Kilby, Barbara Walsh Photography, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, CaptainOates, Acabashi, Ninara31, amandabhslater, wickenden, ShebleyCL, sunshinecity, Ivan Radic, Matt Lavin, James St. John, quinet, goforchris, [email protected], cattan2011, Kaibab National Forest Photography, dollarclassics, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Jocelyn777 Love Europe, Andrew Coombes, cwellsny, JeepersMedia, amandabhslater, wallygrom, alh1, Mark Wordy, Thank You (22 Millions+) views, USDAgov, Acabashi, F. D. Richards, Macleay Grass Man, Alexander C. Kafka, Darlene Roelofsen, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, wahoowins, andres musta, Mary Gillham Archive Project, wallygrom, Russ2009, Permaculture Association, Rennett Stowe, Ruth and Dave, F. D. Richards, Teddy Mafia, texturepalace, puffin11uk, georgegillams, Darlene Roelofsen, crustmania, denisbin, waferboard, denisbin, Audire Silentium, LenkinDesign, akfoto, MeganEHansen, amandabhslater, Ivan Radic, Matt Lavin, frankieleon, redirockphotodatabase, jeremy_norbury, PavingDirect.com, Justin Beckley, wallygrom, Acabashi, 阿橋花譜 KHQ Flower Guide, wallygrom, Acabashi, talaakso, Robert.Pittman, Jeanne Menjoulet, quattroman76, Björn S..., Rushen!, Ivan Radic, sam_churchill, pdinnen, amandabhslater, La Citta Vita, judy dean, Landscape Design Advisor, charcoal soul, jinxmcc, m.borden, Landscape Design Advisor, Andreas März, gliak00, romana klee, masae-photo, Derek N Winterburn, daryl_mitchell, trekkyandy, Local Food Initiative, D.Eickhoff, *_*, BlossomPDX, goosmurf, Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Doolallyally, Jim Morefield, "Besenbinder", Anika Malone, Elsa Blaine, Local Food Initiative, wallygrom, Isaszas, @tc_goatwriter, M. Martin Vicente, watts photos1, harum.koh, platycryptus, hardworkinghippy : La Ferme de Sourrou, NRCS Oregon, Darlene Roelofsen, Ivan Radic, MizGingerSnaps, Me in ME, John Brighenti, adamnsinger, jeremy_norbury, gailhampshire, pdbreen, Torquay Palms, wallygrom, MeganEHansen, jlodder, randihausken, Tony Webster, onnola, Earl Ruby, The National Guard, Bods, amandabhslater, Bennilover, corsi photo, PavingDirect.com, Tobyotter, MeganEHansen, andres musta, Darlene Roelofsen, Tony Webster, Darlene Roelofsen, Mike Bonitz, Aaron Volkening, conall.., Bennilover, mikecogh, marthelelièvre, ell brown, cvtperson, Ruth and Dave
  • Home
  • Landscaping
    • Decking
    • Driveways
    • Garden Patios
    • Garden drainage
    • Fencing
    • Turfing
    • Planting
    • Landscape Gardeners Amersham
  • Design
    • Landscaping Ideas
  • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Contact