Why does block paving sink

This differs from a porous or permeable surface, where the water is designed to sink into the driveway, in a uniform way across the entire surface. If a pipe under the driveway has begun to leak, over time, it may affect the soil beneath your driveway, causing it to dip and sink where the ground has become saturated. This can happen over a long period of time, which means the implications often go unnoticed until they cause critical concerns with the sub-base.

Driveway sinkage often occurs on new homes or where a driveway has been laid for the first time. This is because the land that the driveway has been built on has not been given enough time to settle before building took place. In many cases, new developments will use poor quality soil, or will leave bricks, stones and even tree stumps in the ground; these can all cause a type of subsidence as they decay and settle. If the underlying issue's the sub-base, the only way to repair it is to start afresh-to prevent the same problem from happening again.

If your driveway is a simple gravel one, you can just top up the stones every year or so to maintain the required level. But in most cases, the repair job on a sunken driveway is much more complicated. If it is determined that the sub base is the issue, the only way to repair it is to start afresh. This means ripping up the old driveway surface and base, and replacing it with a layer of compacted soil, stones and concrete, to offer the very best chance of the same issue not happening again.

If the issue is water related, you may need to locate the pipe and dig up that section of driveway to repair it. Needless to say, this can be incredibly costly. Other options include cutting away the dipped sections, and replacing them with new paving stones or concrete sections with the ground underneath built up. This can result in a patchy looking driveway — not what you were hoping for.

If your driveway has dropped in a uniform way across the entire area you can think about adding a topper such as paving bricks or a resin coating to the required depth. Resin bound driveway material may be a good option for this if your driveway does not have cracks.

It can be trowelled into place, and used to build up certain areas to achieve a flat finish. The right base is essential for this however. The success of your driveway project depends solely on installation-and will be the difference between a driveway that stays put, and one that might shrink or shift over time.

When you decide on the contractor for your new driveway, always ask them for a guarantee that the driveway will not sink, and that they will fix any damage if it does. Do not accept any statements that suggest that sinking is normal — with the right preparation it should not be. Your contractor should also understand the soil in your area, and the right way to prepare it to prevent sinking and water issues.

Always choose a contractor who can show work they have done before. You should look at the driveways they have laid, and check for any sinking, water pooling and dips in the surface.

Clearly making repairs to a brand new driveway should never happen, which is why it is so important to choose a contractor who understands driveways, and a material that will work perfectly for your needs without sinking, and with a long lasting finish. A resin bound driveway material can be used to repair a driveway in some cases, but usually it works best if it is laid from scratch. The process is extremely important and will be the difference between a driveway that stays put and one that might sink or shift.

Your resin bound driveway should start with the contractor digging out the foundations of your driveway and compacting the soil. A layer of sharp sand and stone will provide extra drainage to prevent sinkholes and future dips. This should be compacted as well. Over this, a layer of either concrete or tarmac should be used.

This material is permeable, and will allow free drainage of water, plus it is very stable and flat — providing the perfect surface for the final resin bound layer. Resin bound material is resin and stone mixed together, and then trowelled onto the prepared base to a depth of around 15mm or more in some cases. Ignoring this process or not performing it properly guarantees one thing - your pavers will sink and shift and you will be spending more money on your paver project in less than 5 years.

Pavers are crafted to last a lifetime. Even if a single paving stone, or group of stones, crack or chip, they can simply be replaced, which means the overall installation could last for future generations for your family to enjoy. If you decide to hire a masonry contractor to install your dream paver patio, make sure they have the right experience. If possible, go visit some of these sites in person so you can see how well the job has held up over time.

Remember, a good contractor will stand by their work, and provide a written agreement detailing your project. Also, watch out for low bids. No one wants to pay more than they have to, but a super-low bid is a red flag that the contractor is likely to cut corners on time, materials, and a quality installation, leading to project failure.

As with any home improvement or home service, use a reputable and insured company. Do your homework first, get at least two to three estimates and ask for references. Installing the right materials, in the right application, can provide an experience of a lifetime.

Homeowners should always consult with licensed professionals, check a contractor's license through the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs call for information and ensure that their project complies with NYC DOB regulations before embarking on any home improvement project.

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Ad Choices. Business Directory Enquiries. Why has my Block Paving Sank? Exceptional cause In exceptional circumstances sinkage is caused by water table levels rising and in turn sub soils becoming soggy. Why has my Block Paving sank? The most common cause Most block paving sinkage is due to insufficient support from a sub base. Less common cause Driveway extensions are another cause of sinking block paving.

What to do about it Depending on the extent of the sinking a block paving repair may be possible but if the driveway area has been sinking for some time a new block paving installation may be necessary.