How to assess paving quality?

[Ryancito]

Hi folks, 

We are hiring a landscaper to pave around our pool and the sides of house.

Once completed what advice would can you give to assess if the paving is of good quality.

Have heard of some bad experiences of pavers sinking within the first couple of days from dodgy sole traders.

The landscaping company seems legit but just wanted to double check before we pay the final invoice.

Cheers!

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Ryancito. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about paving.

It’s great that you’re thinking ahead about the quality of the paving work. It's important to understand exactly what’s included in the quote and ensure you’re not just looking at the price alone—cheaper quotes might leave out important steps, which can lead to issues like sinking pavers. Always remember that quality workmanship might cost a bit more upfront, but it will save you from future headaches and costly repairs.

When speaking with your landscaper, ask specific questions about how they’re preparing the area for paving. For example, with the sinking pavers you’ve heard about, one of the key factors is whether they’re properly preparing the base. Ask if their process includes removing the topsoil, adding a solid layer of aggregate, and compacting it before laying sand and pavers. A properly compacted base is needed to prevent subsidence, which is often the main reason pavers sink.

Also, check if they’ve taken drainage into account. Poor drainage can undermine even a well-compacted base, causing pavers to shift or sink over time. Ensure they explain how water will be directed away from the paved area to avoid this issue.

Once the paving is complete, there are a few things you can look out for to assess the quality:

• Are the pavers evenly spaced and level? Any dips or uneven areas could be a sign of a poorly prepared base.

• Has the edge of the paving been properly secured with a strong border? This prevents shifting over time.

• Is the sand between the pavers well-compacted and filling the joints evenly?

By asking these questions and understanding the process, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the work has been done correctly and will last.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Ryancito]

Thanks so much Mitchell

Your advice is golden!

With the aggregate base layer, that is usually similar to a road base? Have heard that cracker dust is used frequently so not sure if that is a substitute for the aggregate.

Cheers

[MitchellMc]

Aggregate is just a catch-all term for gravel or roadbase, @Ryancito. Roadbase is typically a larger aggregate (20mm) compared to cracker dust (3mm). Aggregates compact well when they can lock into each other, so sometimes you'll see roadbase used for the main fill and then cracker dust applied over the top. Through compaction, they lock together to provide a stable base.

The main thing is that they are using them and not just laying the paving over uncompacted soil.

Mitchell