How to install pavers on driveway?

[akshay1]

Hi

I am trying to make driveway strips with pavers on my lawn. I compacted the ground. In the base, I put 3 inches of compacted base coarse and 1 inch of washed sand with little cement. Then filled the gaps with joint sand, soaked and let dry. 

After letting dry, when I drove my car on top, the pavers didn't hold together. The pavers now

 

wobble , but didn't sink. 

How can I seal them better. 

Any help will be really appreciated.

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @akshay1. It's marvellous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about laying pavers.

The issue with your pavers not holding together is likely due to the base not being stable enough to support the weight of a vehicle. While your method of compacting the ground and using paving sand to fill the joints works well for pedestrian areas, driveways require a much sturdier foundation. For vehicle traffic, it’s essential to have a solid base, such as a concrete slab or a thicker, well-compacted road base, to prevent movement and cracking under heavy loads.

Start by ensuring the base is properly compacted using a mechanical plate compactor, which you can hire. Compacting by hand or without the right equipment may not provide the required density. Additionally, while locking paver sand is suitable for foot traffic, it may not hold up under vehicle loads. Instead, consider using normal sand for the joints and topping it up periodically to maintain stability. For a permanent solution, laying the pavers on a concrete base with a thin layer of bedding sand will provide the most durable result, as the concrete prevents shifting and ensures the pavers remain firmly in place. However, this movement you're experiencing is why pavers are never grouted together as the grout cracks as the pavers shift slightly.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[akshay1]

Hi Mitchell

Thanks so much for your quick response, I'll try your suggestions.

Can you also advise what is the best bedding sand  for my project. Currently, I am using Dalton's No.1 Washed sand available at Bunnings Auckland.

 

https://bunnings.co.nz/applinks_p0237636?source=product_share&utm_source=bunnings&utm_medium=retail-...

Cheers

 

 

[MitchellMc]

That sand would be perfectly fine, @akshay1. However, with a non-solid base, such as sand, your bricks will always move minutely, leading to any rigid jointing products cracking.

Mitchell