Driveway Side Wall

[ukanonymous]

Hello Peeps :) so we are looking at ordering all the material for the driveway. If you look in this picture there is a wee wall on the right. We are choosing some bricks that match the drive and will rebuild it. My OH is a bit purplexed how to do this. Should the bricks be 100% level with a spirit level or do you think it will look ok if it isnt flat and follows the drive steepness. https://imgur.com/S8piAj1

I always remember doing our kitchen we made sure everything was level despite the house but what about this wall? Also will it require a foundation?

[ukanonymous]

THis is what we are paving it with btw https://www.castorama.fr/pave-antinea-nuance-brun-13-3-x-13-3-cm-ep-6-cm/3389979892777_CAFR.prd

[dannyk13]

I don't think that the wall would look right if it followed the slope of the driveway.

[The Builder]

Something else for you to think about, UK.
I rather like the stone used in the dwarf wall. This is entirely personal, but I would just rebuild the wall using the stone again.
It would complement those pavers nicely. It's a lovely rural setting, and I'm not a fan of modern brick. I always call it the "Health Centre" look, especially when the chosen pavers are nicely subdued and rustic.

Rebuilding would mean that I would throw away the level and keep that "random" look that the stone gives you. Trying to level it up would be unnecessary.

But... your question: if you use any modern brick, even rustic, it should always be laid horizontal and level.
The very nature of continuous straight lines in the brick joints (horizontally, and vertically) tend to make it look awkward if they run with the adjacent slope. It would, of course, mean breaking the wall into sections, with one end higher than the other. Nothing wrong with that, but it means having a "stepped" wall along the length of the drive.
A long length of brick wall with sloping horizontal beds would mess with my head.......... but that may be just me ;o)))

Foundation: certainly not necessary for re-building the stone.
Even with brick, there is such little load, that you could get way with what's there already.
BUT............ brick laid level means that you would have to pay quite a lot of attention to getting a level bed to work off. No problem, but bear in mind that it may involve some excavation at one end of each section......... and obviously level at the other end. You don't want foundation concrete rising above ground level... not a good look.

So much to think about, isn't there? :o)))))))

[ukanonymous]

OK well BUILDER thanks it makes it much easier :) We can clean those stones and do that a bit. thanks!

[ukanonymous]

Builder if you look to the left there is like a pavement of the same stone. This we really do not like. What would we do there do you think? Pave over it?

[The Builder]

Ugggh... Crazy paving,.....

Yes, continue the pavers right over it.

[The Builder]

UK, when you pave the drive, are you going for bedding the pavers on concrete/mortar, or are you going for the 50mm sand bed?

No matter, either is fine, but I have a reason for asking.

[ukanonymous]

The Builder at the top 5 layers where the gate will go we will use concrete then after that use sand :)

[ukanonymous]

But concrete on the edges too is that right?

[The Builder]

Yes, the edges... perimeters.

No problem up against a side wall (you won't be driving there.)
BUT... where you drive off the pavers onto the road for instance, you should solid bed the last two or three pavers (laid in mortar - not the sand bed)
Obvious reason of course. Driving onto or off pavers will eventually cause them to loosen and tip.
The road will naturally be lower than the pavers. A good thing would be to have a short concrete ramp from road level to the top of the pavers.
Do this anywhere you're likely to drive onto or off the paved area.

One idea for any "kerb" is to use matching brick-shaped ordinary bricks and bed them at right-angles to the pavers. Bricks bedded "on edge" look good.
You may find that the paver suppliers can provide something suitable.

That's it really... except, when calculating the amount of bedding sand needed, (50mm thickness) allow for 70mm (before compaction), as it will compress under compaction :o)

[The Builder]

Just to be sure... if you use ordinary bricks on edge, I would mortar them together (just like a brick wall).

It's the most vulnerable point. Mortar jointing makes them really solid, and very unlikely to move or tip.

[ukanonymous]

OK great so when ordering the sand we just order AREA of drive multiplied by 70mm ? Sounds good. Where would you start on this? From the bootom or top and work your way in the opposite direction?

We appreciate all the help Im sure we will have more questions but its very exciting :)

[The Builder]

You're very welcome, Uk. Yes, it is exciting when people try things for themselves :o)

Where to start?
it depends... will you be laying the sand before you have the pavers delivered? If so, where would you put the pavers when they arrive?

I think I would have the sand tipped on the drive first, and get on with that first. Leave an area free at the bottom near the road for the pavers to be craned off onto. You could even leave a bigger area so you can park your cars down there for a while.
Small areas such as patios are usually laid in one go, but you've got 20m. It wouldn't hurt if you did it in two sections. Top half first, leaving the bottom bit for pavers and cars, as I said above.
Then the bottom section.

There are only two things needed in Building.......... skills (which you can learn) and common sense (which is the hardest part.)
Think it through. You don't want to be moving stuff about later because you put it in the wrong place.