ᐅ Small cobblestone/granite paving – Any defects? Is a drainage channel necessary?
Created on: 17 Jan 2025 19:12
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ThiasundLina
Hello,
we recently had our driveway paved with granite stones measuring 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in a running bond pattern by a landscaping contractor. The base layer consists of a gravel subbase, and the joints are to be filled with crusher sand. The entire surface will then be compacted using a plate compactor. At the connection to the street, there is a slope, so the stones need to be cut. In our opinion, this transition looks too irregular. Is there a better solution for this?
We are also wondering whether the drainage channel is really necessary. Since the small stone paving with joints should actually be sufficient to drain the area.
Looking forward to your opinions.
Best regards, Thias
we recently had our driveway paved with granite stones measuring 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in a running bond pattern by a landscaping contractor. The base layer consists of a gravel subbase, and the joints are to be filled with crusher sand. The entire surface will then be compacted using a plate compactor. At the connection to the street, there is a slope, so the stones need to be cut. In our opinion, this transition looks too irregular. Is there a better solution for this?
We are also wondering whether the drainage channel is really necessary. Since the small stone paving with joints should actually be sufficient to drain the area.
Looking forward to your opinions.
Best regards, Thias
S
Schorsch_baut19 Jan 2025 11:26The thin strips tend to splinter more quickly due to frost or pressure. Granite is hard but also has a crystalline structure. This could have been compensated for over a longer surface area through the joint width, but that would have involved additional costs.
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wiltshire19 Jan 2025 11:39It seems to me that there was no proper clarification of the project scope—neither from the paver’s side nor from yours. The surprise regarding the paving pattern and the existence of the drainage channel suggests this.
Was this selection your specification or the paver’s suggestion?
Yes, of course there are alternatives, but that is a matter of taste. The paver chose a method and applied it consistently and uniformly. There is nothing wrong with that.
That depends on the site’s topography and the local authority’s requirements. Constructing the area without a drainage channel without consultation would, in my opinion, be considered poor workmanship.
No, the water will run off the paved area and then infiltrate or drain elsewhere. Many municipalities require that water falling on impervious surfaces of a property must be infiltrated on site.
ThiasundLina schrieb:
We recently had a landscape contractor pave the driveway with granite (10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches)) in a running bond pattern.
Was this selection your specification or the paver’s suggestion?
ThiasundLina schrieb:
At the connection to the street there is a slope, so the stones had to be cut. To our liking, the connection looks too busy. Is there a better option here?
Yes, of course there are alternatives, but that is a matter of taste. The paver chose a method and applied it consistently and uniformly. There is nothing wrong with that.
ThiasundLina schrieb:
We are also wondering whether the drainage channel is needed at all.
That depends on the site’s topography and the local authority’s requirements. Constructing the area without a drainage channel without consultation would, in my opinion, be considered poor workmanship.
ThiasundLina schrieb:
Because the small stone paving with joints should actually be sufficient to drain the area.
No, the water will run off the paved area and then infiltrate or drain elsewhere. Many municipalities require that water falling on impervious surfaces of a property must be infiltrated on site.
Paving can also be installed as permeable paving, which is then not considered an impervious surface. However, the joints and substructure must be properly constructed, and there must be a certificate of water permeability provided by the paving manufacturer. In this case, drainage channels can also be omitted.
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