Block paving fails for predictable reasons: jointing sand washes out, the sub-base shifts under Cambridge’s clay subsoil, and individual blocks sink or rock. When that happens, the base beneath is no longer level or stable. Laying a resin bound overlay directly onto sunken or moving blocks transfers those faults straight through to the new surface. Full removal is the correct route when the base has failed, not an optional upgrade.
Once the block paving is lifted, the sub-base is inspected and any degraded or uneven sections are addressed. A vibrating plate compactor is used to bring the base to the correct compaction standard before drainage falls are set and edging is installed. The resin bound aggregate is then mixed on site and trowelled in a single continuous layer. Aggregate selection and edging style are confirmed at the site survey stage.
Older Cambridge housing stock often has driveways laid decades ago where both the jointing sand and the sub-base have degraded significantly. In those cases, removal reveals the true condition of the ground beneath. Where the sub-base is sound after lifting, it is retained and compacted. Where it has failed, new MOT Type 1 material is laid. Either way, the base condition is confirmed before the resin finish is quoted.
Questions about block paving removal & resin replacement
Can you remove my old block paving and put resin down in its place?
Yes. Old block paving is lifted, the base is assessed and prepared, and a resin bound surface is laid in its place. A local specialist will check the sub-base condition before any work starts, so the finished surface has a stable foundation to bond to.
Do the old blocks need to come out fully, or can the resin just go over them?
It depends on the base beneath. If the blocks are stable and level, a resin overlay may hold. If they are loose, cracked or uneven, full removal is the safer route. A site assessment confirms which approach suits your driveway before any quote is issued. Learn about resin overlays
Will the base need to be replaced as well, or can you work with what is already there?
The existing sub-base can often be reused if it is compact, level and well-drained. Where it has shifted, crumbled or holds water, a new sub-base is needed before the resin goes down. Excavation and sub-base work are quoted as separate line items, so you see exactly what each element costs.
How do I know if my driveway base is sound enough for resin?
A local resin specialist assesses the base in person before quoting. They check for movement, soft spots, drainage and levels. You cannot judge base condition reliably from the surface alone, which is why the site visit happens before any work is committed to.
What happens if the base is not right before the resin goes down?
Resin laid over a weak base will crack, sink or delaminate within months. The base must be stable and properly drained first. If the assessment finds problems, remedial work is scoped and priced separately before the resin surface is installed.
Will the new surface crack if the old paving moves underneath it?
Yes, movement in the sub-base will crack any surface laid over it, including resin. That is why loose or shifting blocks are removed and the base is stabilised before the resin is applied. Skipping that step is the most common cause of premature surface failure.
What is the cost to remove block paving and replace it with resin?
Most block paving removal and resin replacement projects come in at £5,500-£8,500, depending on driveway size, sub-base condition and drainage requirements. Excavation, sub-base, drainage and the resin finish are quoted as separate line items so you can see where the cost sits.
What affects the price of removing the old blocks and fitting resin instead?
The main factors are driveway area, depth of excavation required, sub-base condition, drainage work needed and the resin aggregate chosen. Each element is quoted separately, so you can see exactly what drives the total rather than working from a single combined figure.
Describe the area, what is down there now, and how it drains. We’ll arrange a local resin specialist to assess the base and quote every line item separately.