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Paving Maintenance
By
Gardening Australia ABC
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Paving can be one of the greatest assets of a garden. But it can also be also be a liability. If it is not maintained properly it could cause serious injury to your family or friends. Some simple techniques can be used to repair some of the most common problems. All that will be needed is a spirit level, wooden float, rubber mallet, screwdrivers, hammer and bolster and a steel float.
Sand is the secret to good paving. There are three types of sand: River sand has a coarse texture, with large granules and is usually double washed. Fine coarse or Sydney sand (in NSW) is so fine that it flows without holding together. Brickies sand or Bush sand is a clay based sand that will hold together because of the proportion of clay particles.
GREASE & OIL STAINS
Lift up the paver with an old screwdriver, levering it up from each end until a good grip can be taken of the edge to lift it out.
Clean up the edges of the pavers on the inside of the hole without leaving any excess sand or material on the base sand, otherwise it will raise the height of the paver when it is replaced.
Turn the paver over, making sure the edges are free of loose material and place in the hole, ensuring that it is sitting flush with the rest of the paving. Pour some fine sand in the spaces and leave it to settle and sweep clean.
LOOSE PAVERS can be dangerous, and the noise annoying when cars drive over them.
Before the loose pavers are lifted, mark each side with chalk so that they can be replaced in the same position.
Lift the pavers and clean all the loose debris from the space and around the inside edges of the pavers so the area is totally clean.
Double washed river sand is excellent for compaction. Place a layer down, pushing it right up to the edges and into the corners with a wooden float. Compact the sand by treading it down.
With one of the pavers, check the level by running it around the inside edge, and remove any excess sand.
With a spirit level check that the level is uniform across the base of the sand.
Replace the pavers, matching the chalk markings.
Use the screwdriver to make the gaps between the pavers evenly spaced.
Top-dress the pavers with very fine sand. It will fall into the gaps easily and fill the spaces tightly. Give the pavers a tap with the mallet to settle the sand in and sweep it off.
BUCKLED PAVING AROUND TREES when not enough room has been allowed for a tree to grow.
Remove the pavers that have been lifted by the tree. A hammer and bolster may be needed to remove loose cement. It is important to undercut the paver so that the fresh mortar can give good support to the old cement.
Place a board down on the pavers to protect your knees and the edge of the pavers while they unstable and exposed.
Mix 3 parts bush sand to one part cement and add water to a thick consistency.
With the steel trowel push the cement under the pavers and pull up to the top edge of the paver, scraping it off cleanly. This is called haunching.
Fill in the gap around the tree with the soil that was removed.
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