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\n\u2018The Top 5 Most Common Paving Issues\u2019 is a guest blog written by Gareth Wilson. Gareth is a multi-award-winning garden landscaper. You can visit his website to learn more about his work.<\/p>\n
In my five years as the UK’s leading expert witness in paving, I’ve seen many issues, ranging from minor snags to mind-bogglingly bad installations. However, many common problems occur almost weekly and can be very costly for the contractor if these basic installation guidelines are not followed. Clients have also become very savvy, asking for advice on Facebook groups, the internet in general, and BS7533:102, now available.<\/p>\n
Incorrect Fall: A Common but Serious Paving Error<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n First and foremost, incorrect fall on the paving is widespread, with many contractors still laying to \u201cthe back of the bubble\u201d or, in many cases, especially with porcelain, the paving is almost level. Insufficient fall, especially on porcelain paving, leads to water holding on the surface with surface tension, creating all sorts of slip-related issues, especially in winter. Insufficient fall can also lead to greening or algal growth, especially when installing natural stone or in shady areas.<\/p>\n Loose Slabs: Getting Bonding Application Right<\/strong><\/p>\n Loose paving slabs are a common issue, and although most landscapers use bonding mortar\/primer these days, the actual application is often the issue. A BS7533-approved bonding mortar is the best option and is applied to the back of the paving slabs, not just its centre, as is often the case. The other key point is how thickly it\u2019s used, with many contractors applying a thin layer where the back of the paving slab is still visible. A good guide is 1-2mm for natural stone and concrete and 2-3mm for porcelain. Remove all dust and loose material before application.<\/p>\n Understanding Reflective Staining in Paving<\/strong><\/p>\n Reflective staining has become a real issue, particularly with sawn products such as Kandla Grey natural stone paving and granite, which are particularly prone to it. Most commonly, this is caused by voids in the mortar bed and minerals migrating through the paving slabs at different rates, where the paving slab touches the mortar bed and doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n