Block paving
How long does block paving last?
Block paving is one of the longest-lasting driveway surfaces you can have. The blocks themselves are tough. Concrete blocks made for driveways are designed to take the weight of cars day in, day out.
When a block-paved drive fails early, it's nearly always down to what's underneath or round the edges, not the blocks. Here's what makes the difference.
The blocks rarely wear out
A decent driveway block will outlast most of what happens to it. Over the years the colour will soften a bit and the surface will weather. That's normal and a clean usually brings a lot of it back. What you don't want is blocks moving, and that comes down to the groundwork.
What actually shortens its life
- A thin or poorly compacted sub-base. The drive sinks where the car parks, usually in two wheel tracks.
- Weak edging. If the kerbs or edge blocks aren't set in concrete, the paving slowly spreads outwards and the joints open up.
- Empty joints. The sand in the joints locks the blocks together. Lose it and blocks start to rock.
- Water with nowhere to go. Puddles sitting on the drive soften the base over time.
- The wrong pattern for a drive. Some patterns don't interlock well enough for cars turning on them.
How it compares with resin and tarmac
All three can last a long time if they're laid properly, so we wouldn't pick on lifespan alone. The big difference is repairs. With block paving you can lift a sunken patch, sort the base and put the same blocks back. With resin and tarmac a repair is more likely to show. Our tarmac vs resin vs block paving guide goes through the rest.
Keeping it going for longer
- Sweep it regularly so muck and seeds don't settle in the joints
- Top up the kiln-dried sand when you can see the joints dropping
- Re-sand after any jet washing
- Deal with weeds while they're small
- Get a sinking patch looked at early, before it spreads
A sealant can help hold the sand in too. See is sealing block paving worth it?
Old drive looking tired?
A lot of older block paving round Stockport and Manchester is still sound underneath and just needs a clean, re-sand and a few blocks relaid. Some has had it. If you're not sure which yours is, send a photo on WhatsApp on 07519 945 497 or call 0161 825 8053. We'll tell you straight, and we can do a free survey and quote if it does need replacing.
