Tools and materials required to lay block paving

A vibrating plate compactor also know as a wacker plate can be hired from most hire shops, this is an essential tool required at all stages from the start to compact the hardcore sub base, the sand laying course prior to screeding and the final compacting of the paving once the kiln dried sand is brushed in the joints

The Stihl TS400 Portable Petrol saw is an indispensable tool for the rapid cutting of all block paving, with a cutting wheel diameter of 35cm it will cut through steel, concrete or rock to a maximum cutting depth of 100mm.

The Stihl TS400 is compact and lightweight at only 8.9kg making it suitable for all block paving driveways or patio construction

To transport your block paving to the spot where your laying you will need a pnumatic tyre wheelbarrow for ease of movement when the wheelbarrow is full of block, other tools required include a good clean spade, a pick or builders mattock and protective equipment including a good pair of work boots, ear protection when using the vibrating plate or 2 stroke brick saw and a good pair of gloves to protect your hands especially if the blocks are wet as your finger tips will soon become very tender and sore.

If you cut the block with a stihl saw make sure you wear a protective dust mask and ear muffs

Protective clothing
Before using any plant or machinery always read the safty instructions and always wear protective clothing
gloves to protect your hands
dust mask to prevent dust from being inhaled
ear protectors to protect your ears

Chalk, felt tip pen or pencil for marking any cuts
Tape measure
Spirit level
Straight edge either aluminim or timber
String line
Stiff brush

Skip hire and waste disposal
A 4 cube skip will take approx 4 - 5 ton
A 8 cube skip will take approx 8 - 9 ton

As a guide the average sized drive on a semi detached or detached house is between 35 - 55 square metres so you will need at least 1 large and 1 small skip to remove an existing drive what is 40 - 45 square metres. This will also depend how you fill a skip and how tight you manage to place everything, if you have large voids between the debris it will be filled in no time and you will have to get it replaced with another at a cost of between £135 - £155 depending where you live in the UK

Zone 2 grit sand
1 ton will cover approx 10 square metres at 50mm deep

MOT type 1 sub-base stone material
1 ton will cover approx 5 square metres at 100mm deep

jointing sand/kiln dried sand
1 bag will cover approx 10 - 15 square metres

manhole cover (if required)
cement (as required)