Block paving

Virtually no maintenance is required once laid. Sweep occasionally
to remove dust and detritus. If you find green algae building up on
them, it can be safely removed by cleaning . Use of a pressure washer
should be limited to very dirty pavements and no more than once a
year, as the high-power water jet loosens jointing and can damage
some pavings.

This is the simpler of the herringbone patterns to set up. Decide on a "base-line" that will be the start of the pattern. This is usually taken to be a line along the main directriopn of travel or one that is parallel or at right angles to the house or other building. If there is a right-angle corner, the setting out can be based on the two lines , as shown in the diagram below. Setting out a perpendicular, ie a line at exactly 90° to the base line, is described on the setting-out page.

On a square or rectangular area, a 90° herringbone pattern can be used to keep cutting to a minimum. Only one block width in 4 need be cut to fit, and judicious positioning of edge courses can ensure that the pavement is a given number of full bricks wide. It is best to start laying tight against a fixed edge, such as against an edging course, but if this is not possible, then a taut string line can be established as the base-line. With this pattern, most of the blocks at the edge of the work will need to be cut at an angle to fit in. It is usual to lay all the full bricks first, then once these have been checked for alignment, the edge pieces can be cut in. Leaving out the edge pieces allows the body of the paving to be accurately aligned BEFORE fastening in the work . In the following diagrams, the bricks are the standard 200x100mm plan size blocks most commonly used for domestic paving. Setting up the first line of blocks Continue to lay as many full blocks as possible and then check the alignment, using a pinch-bar or pavior's mall to 'nudge' blocks into line. Once the alignment is complete, the edge blocks can be cut to shape and fitted in prior to final sealing. Complete the double starter course as shown.This startercourseshould be as long as possible, to ensure accuracy These drawings represent a flexible construction. Page 2