Soak-away’s

Soak-away’s have been revolutionised with the introduction of Aquacell units. These are strengthened plastic cells (1mx0.5mx0.4m) with a 95% void capacity (holds 190 litres of water). In short, one cell holds the equivalent of a 1.5mx1mx1m traditional gravel-filled soak-away. So there is consequently less to remove and dispose of and less to fill-in. They are

Inspection covers / Manholes

Covers come as either standard plastic, aluminium or steel lids or as recessed ‘trays’. These units allow block pavers, slabs, etc. to be cut into the lid to provide a seamless finish. Usually the 4 corners of the lid have holes where lifting keys can be inserted to raise the lid when necessary. Existing chambers

Drainage Channels

Where provision of drainage is required, we mostly use Aco channel drains. These are either made of a resin polymer with a galvanised silver grate or from black moulded plastic. Both are laid on a bed of wet mortar and piped into either existing drains or into a new soak-away (where necessary)

Sealing

Acrylic or polyurethane sealant can be applied to block-paved and resin bonded drives to provide protection from weathering, discolouration and weed growth. The sealant makes the sand between the joints in block-paving set hard. Acrylic sealant can be applied using a sprayer, polyurethane is applied with a roller. Edges are taped to protect areas from

Aco Ground Guard Tiles

A 2-inch compacted screed of sand is laid over the compacted foundation, with a membrane laid between sand and the Aco Ground Guard tiles (for large areas). The tiles interlock and are cut to size on-site to fit edges. The tiles are pinned every 2m to give extra strength and can be filled with gravel

Gravel

Gravel is laid to a depth of no more than 2-inches and is recommended to be between 14-20mm in size with suitable hardness not to crush under the weight of vehicles. Self-bind gravel is a mixture of aggregate from 6mm to dust and is compacted to finish is leave a solid but permeable surface.

Tarmac

Base course tarmac is laid and compacted to a depth of 40-60mm onto the compacted foundation layer. A 20-30mm top coat is then raked, levelled and rolled over surface to finish. Block pavers can be integrated as an edging around perimeter of drive or as a central feature to help break up large areas or

Permeable Block Paving

A slightly different base course foundation (Type3 MOT) is laid with this type of paving to increase its porosity. A 1-2-inch screed of grit-stone is laid on the compacted foundation with blocks laid on to screed. Blocks are cut to size as necessary and drive is compacted with further grit brushed into joints.

Block Paving

A 1-2-inch screed of sand is laid over the compacted  hardcore layer, with blocks laid on the sand. Blocks are cut to size where necessary, kiln-dried sand brushed into all joints and the drive compacted with a vibrating plate to finish.

Driveways

Depending on size, usage and underlying soil-type of driveways, a hardcore base (usually MOT Type 1 aggregate) is laid to a depth of 4-6-inches and compacted with a vibrating plate. Where the subsoil is relatively soft or the ground is ‘made-up’, a membrane can be laid beneath the hardcore to help prevent future movement of