My block paving has weeds in the joints, does that mean it needs relaying?

Not necessarily. Weeds in joints are usually a sign the jointing sand has washed out or broken down, which is fixed by cleaning out the joints and re-sanding, not a full relay.

How many sunken blocks before it's worth a full relay instead of patch repairs?

There's no fixed number, but if sinking is spread across a large portion of the area rather than a few isolated blocks, it usually means the sub-base has failed more broadly, and a full relay ends up more cost-effective than repeated patching.

Can block paving be relaid using the same blocks?

Yes, existing blocks are commonly lifted, cleaned and reused during a relay, with new bedding sand and sub-base underneath, and only damaged or badly worn blocks replaced.

Block paving repair vs full relay: which does your driveway need

Block paving fails in stages. First the joints lose sand and weeds creep in. Then individual blocks start to rock or sink where the bedding underneath has moved. Eventually, if enough of the base has failed, the whole area needs lifting and relaying rather than patching block by block. Knowing which stage your driveway or patio is at changes the quote you should expect.

Re-sanding and joint stabilisation for paving that's otherwise flat and solid
Lifting and re-bedding individual sunken or rocking blocks
Cleaning and sealing to address discolouration or moss without touching the base
Full lift-and-relay when enough of the sub-base has failed that patch repairs won't hold

Block paving specialists in Cheltenham typically assess which category a job falls into on-site, since blocks that look similar on the surface can have very different problems underneath.

What it costs

Re-sanding and cleaning are the cheapest end of this scale since they're surface-level maintenance. Lifting and re-bedding a handful of sunken blocks costs more but is still localised. A full relay costs the most because it involves lifting all the blocks, repairing or replacing the sub-base, and relaying everything with new sand and jointing.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for block paving.

1. BJ Surfacing
4.8★ · 148 reviews

88
2. Grass Scape
4.9★ · 35 reviews

84
3. B E Rudman
4.9★ · 32 reviews

79

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FAQ

My block paving has weeds in the joints, does that mean it needs relaying?: Not necessarily. Weeds in joints are usually a sign the jointing sand has washed out or broken down, which is fixed by cleaning out the joints and re-sanding, not a full relay.
How many sunken blocks before it's worth a full relay instead of patch repairs?: There's no fixed number, but if sinking is spread across a large portion of the area rather than a few isolated blocks, it usually means the sub-base has failed more broadly, and a full relay ends up more cost-effective than repeated patching.
Can block paving be relaid using the same blocks?: Yes, existing blocks are commonly lifted, cleaned and reused during a relay, with new bedding sand and sub-base underneath, and only damaged or badly worn blocks replaced.

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