[JSCL]

Hi, could anyone tell me which would be the best way to resand a driveway... by using a brush or by using a wacker plate, regards shaun...

[rob fryer]

 Dry day broom for me using a wacker you will still have to sweep up at the end of the job
rob

[JSCL]

hi rob, would you be able to use a wacker plate on a wet day. sorry for asking this, i'm just doing a bit of reseach before i start buying equipment, kind regards shaun.......

[rob fryer]

Mate i wouldnt bother with a wacker for re sands you would only use on a new drive that has just been layed, for dommestic and medium commercial jobs use a wide headed medium broom that will be as good as anything out there and cheap too.
good luck rob 

[JSCL]

cheers rob, that will save me a few hundred notes. a decent brush it will be, kind regards shaun...

[JSCL]

hi  again rob, do you or anyone else reading this offer a drive repair service when washing drives ( lifting up sunken blocks and relevelling them) and if so , what kind of price guide, kind regards shaun.........

[thewaterwizard]

  hi shaun
  re sand with broom but never try re sanding when the
  surface is wet it must be dry so the sand fills the joints
   good luck hope all goes well for you
     robin

[thewaterwizard]

  i do some small repairs and re pointing
   usually on hourly rate plus materials
   robin

[JSCL]

Hi robin, thanks for replying, many drives around my village seem to have this problem of sinking blocks , so this could be of a useful service  for me to offer them, especially at this time of year when drive washing seems to slack off, kind regards shaun.

[Griffus]

We have carried out a few repairs and believe me there is always more work than you think. Hourly rate is great if you can get customer to agree but unlikely so be careful not to get stung.

One issue is the potential for issues over a long period of time. You could potentially get called back a couple of years down the line for any number of problems.

Ant nests are a big problem and once you start taking blocks up you will be amazed at the amount of ground they cover, hence often more work than you'd think.

I know a good few groundworkers who will not touch repairs as they are so much hassle and it is always tricky to get a perfect result.

It is however well worth trying one or two and see how you get on.

A Light duty Wacka plate with thick rubber cover is essential as will be a block-remover. Hire the wacka from HSS and buy the block reomver (I have seen these for around £50 recently which is a very good price, as they are half that to hire for a few days. Google it).

[R.V.A Window Cleaning Services]

I always use a light weight wacker, the problem i found with just using a broom is that the sand will only go so far down the block and is no longer compact, therefore making it easier for larger weeds to grow between the blocks in no time at all. Also if it is a block drive with traffic  any turning point or braking point the blocks will start to move.
But as i've always said everyone has there own way of doing the job. just do it properly

[mark bowditch]

Hi,

Sorry to have to disagree with you here but never ever use a wacker plate after an installation as all you will do is break the blocks.
A wacker plate is not used to help kiln dried sand penetrate deeper although this does help on installation.
When you install a drive the blocks are set aprox 8mm higher than finished level then the kiln dried sand is brushed over the whole area.
The wacker plate is then used to compact down the blocks to finish level.
I’m not trying to upset you just advice as I’ve been installing driveways for many years have a look at my web site.
PS: If one or two of the blocks are too high just use a rubber mallet or a bit of 4x2 and a club hammer to gently tap them down.
All the best
Mark
http://www.grimeforce.co.uk/befor-after.htm

[R.V.A Window Cleaning Services]

Like i said each to there own, i've used a wacker plate for many years now after cleaning drives only a small bella on snail pace.  I too also run a landscaping firm, not saying i'm right or wrong or you are right or wrong at least it gives jscl a few ideas 

[drive surgeon]

broom 

[BDCS]

Broom, wackers are only to conpact the sharp sand under the blocks when the drive is first laid and as you only remove the jointing sand to about 10 - 15mm when you clean why would you ever want to hump a wacker about ?

[drivewasher]

Just a broom, if sand settles more after sealing it's probably because you sanded it before it was completley dry underneath and the dry sdand has soaked moisture up causing it to clog

[Sure Shine]

I've used a petrol power leaf blower when I was installing drives ways to blow the sand off the bricks. After wacking in the kiln sand. Job done in no time.

I wouldn't bother wacking the sand in if you are re-sanding.