In some suburbs, contractors may feel that the aesthetic appeal lies in paving public roads and pedestrian traffic surfaces, such as pavements using paving blocks. Commercial and industrial areas benefit from paving to provide practical operational surfaces that can withstand heavy traffic. As pleasing as MVA Bricks’ pavers are, what makes them last is not only the exceptional quality of our range but how they are installed.
Factors to Consider Before Paving Can Commence
To ensure that your paving project is a success, MVA Bricks has listed factors to consider before paving blocks can be installed:
· The intended use of the area that is being paved – If the paved area is going to be used for vehicle traffic, then dimensional tolerances need to be factored in.
· Type of pavers that will be used – Ultimately, the paving needs to withstand the elements, promote good weather drainage and be durable enough to hold up to varying traffic loads.
· Maintenance – Select paving blocks that require less maintenance and take into account the surface life of the paved area.
A Guide to Laying Paving Blocks
As soil and rock provide the base structural support, evaluate the performance requirements to ensure that the intended paving is compatible with the existing soil conditions. MVA Bricks has compiled a simplistic guide to laying paving:
1. Edge restraints
To prevent horizontal creep and the joints from opening under traffic, edge constraints need to be placed alongside the paved area. Kerbs or channels are constructed on the sub-base layer (or sub-grade layer, if needed) before any paving blocks are laid.
2. Preparation of the base layers
If the sub-grade layer is poor or the paving is needed for heavy traffic, adding additional sub-base layers may be required. As paving blocks perform a structural function, the foundational work for a suitable base layer is much less intensive. In many instances, the sub-base layer isn’t necessary. Digging the correct layer depth is dependent on the rise and fall of the natural surface.
3. Bedding
Applying a thin layer, approximately 25mm, of our washed river sand ensures the evenness of the base layer. The sand is applied loosely allowing the paving blocks to be compacted with the sand rising between the joints of the pavers evenly supporting them. The bedding sand pushes up in between the joints which ensures the adequate width between pavers is maintained and they are interlocked.
4. Paving blocks
As paving blocks must provide adequate resistance to vehicle, pedestrian and traffic loads, and handle horizontal and vertical creep, the strength, shape, thickness and dimensional tolerance must be considered. The laying patterns are determined by the required performance of the pavers and aesthetic preferences. For industrial paving, the herringbone pattern ensures the best resistance. Combining colours and alternating patterns add to its overall visual appeal.
5. Jointing sand
Once the pavers have been bedded in the desired pattern, jointing sand needs to be applied over the paving and swept in between the joints. Coarse sand is ideal for bedding material. However, finer sand is necessary for jointing. Should there be a loss of jointing sand in the first few months, re-apply the sand over the newly paved surface.
At MVA Bricks, we ensure that our Interlock, Twin Cobble, Bevel, Cottage and uBuntu Cobble pavers are manufactured according to performance specifications and provide the added benefit of visual appeal.
Leaders in the Industry
For almost 30 years, MVA Bricks has been the preferred supplier of paving blocks and concrete retaining wall blocks. Ideally situated in Pretoria, our pavers have been used in numerous residential, commercial and industrial projects. We pride ourselves on exceptional quality standards as our products are SABS-certified. Together with our wide product range, our special products and in-house store make it possible for our customers to acquire all they need from one convenient location. Contact us for more information.
