Interlock Installation

With parking at a premium in most places, if you have a driveway, the idea of being able to leave and arrive as and when you want to is a dream come true. There is no fighting for space, no worry that you’ll have to walk blocks to get to your own home and leave your car unattended, and no reason to be concerned about safety.

Yet a poorly maintained or old driveway can cause problems of its own. From damage to vehicles to looking unsightly in front of your home, having a great-looking driveway is something that you definitely need to look into.

One option that has proved to be very popular is interlock paving. An interlock driveway is one created using interlock paving. As the name suggests, these are individual paving slabs that are made to interlock with one another when installed. Rather than needing to use cement to hold the blocks in place, sand is the only requirement to fill the gaps. The blocks themselves hold one another in position. This means an interlock driveway is flexible and can withstand a lot more wear and tear, ensuring it will last for longer than most other options.

If you’re considering having a new driveway installed and interlock paving is your first choice, here are some ways to install it.

Hire An Expert

If you have any doubt about installing interlock paving yourself, or if you want to guarantee a fantastic final result or you just don’t have the time to do it yourself, always speak to an expert. Yes, it will cost you more initially, but when the work is done to a high standard, there are no costly mistakes that mean you have to start all over again (and pay twice), and you can get on with your own life while someone else completes your driveway, it can often be the best choice.

However, if you do want to install your new driveway yourself, read on for some great advice.

Planning

As with most projects around the home or yard, the first step is planning. Part of the planning is determining how many bricks to order and what size your driveway needs to be. You’ll also need to calculate how much sand and other fillers, such as gravel, you’ll need to make the final result not only look good but feel secure underfoot.

Dig The Base

Once you know how many pavers you’ll need and what other materials will be of use, you can order them to be delivered. While you’re waiting, you can start to dig the base so that when they arrive, you’re ready to place them.

Depending on what the area is going to be used for, you’ll need to ensure that you dig down to the proper depth. Because you’re making an interlock driveway, you’ll need to dig the base down to between six and eight inches. If you were creating a path or a patio where people walked, but no vehicles drove, you would only need to dig to between four and six inches.

Lay The Sand

Now the base has been dug out, you can add a layer of sand. This should be a layer not more than one and a half inches. The best way to lay the sand evenly is to spread it as best you can and then use a rake, pipe, and a two-by-four to make sure it is all at the same level.

Add The Edge Restraint

You’ll need to add some kind of restraining wall to the edge of the area you want to use as your interlock paving driveway. You can buy specially designed edge pieces, or you can make one, but either way, you should place this down before you start placing the pavers. Once this is in place, it will prevent too much movement, which could make your job a much longer one that doesn’t look great at the end.

Place The Pavers

Only once all of this preparation has been done can you start to place the pavers for your interlock driveway. To place these correctly, they must be laid at a 90-degree angle. Once the pavers are all in place, add a light layer of sand and use a compacting machine to run over the top of the driveway. The sand will fall into the gaps, and the pavers will compress down into the layer beneath.

Seal The Driveway

Finally, use a broom to sweep away any debris, and then use sealant to cover the interlock driveway. Sealing using a spray and hose is the most accurate and quickest option.