1. Survey the Site Thoroughly
Survey the site as a whole, including beyond the boundaries. Check soil type (clay, chalk etc) and possible flooding issues. Also be aware of potential problems with tree roots.
2. Use Formal Documentation
Ensure your quotation, terms & conditions and specification documents are signed by both customer and contractor. Make good use of the excellent format of the Construction (Design Management) Regulations 2015 to protect yourself.
3. Include Preliminary Costs and Variation Orders
Ensure your terms & conditions include both Preliminary costs and Variation Orders as a means of preserving your profits and controlling project finances.
4. Keep Detailed Daily Records
Maintain a strict record of daily procedure with words and photographs, especially underground/hidden works such as depth of foundations and installation of membranes etc.
5. Build a Products Library
Create a Products Library of all materials proposed and accepted by the customer/designer for inclusion on site. Once agreed, get all Parties involved to initial the products to avoid any future queries regarding choice of materials.
6. Add Break and Sunset Clause
Ensure your quotation has break clauses and sunset clauses to allow for Practical Substantial Completion to avoid drawn out time periods whilst you remain responsible for maintaining the project prior to signing off the contract.
7. Match Bed and Jointing Materials
Ensure that your choice of laying bed and sub-base matches the type of jointing material. If laying over a permeable base, use a permeable jointing product. If laying over an impermeable laying bed, use an impermeable grout.
8. Fully Screed the Laying Bed
Always ensure the laying bed is fully i.e. screeded, to prevent any voids within the bed that may collect moisture drawn from under the slabs and cause freeze/thaw problems.
9. Consider the Slab Weight
If using heavy or large sized slabs, consider the weights involved when planning your scheme. Is the weight too much for one person, or is it a teamwork project?
10. Apply Bonding Slurry to Slabs
Ensure the backs of the slabs – especially porcelain – are fully coated with a bonding slurry immediately prior to laying to create a firm connection between the slab and bed.
11. Use Sharp, Wet-cutting Tools
Ensure your cutting equipment is sharp, avoiding dry cutting wherever possible (to comply with H & S and to reduce chipping of the sawn edges) – especially when cutting porcelain.
12. Wear Safety Gear
Wear safety gear at all times especially when cutting. This should include goggles/safety glasses, ear defenders, gloves and suitable work boots.
13. Follow The British Standards for Tiling and Paving
Be aware of the requirements of BS5385 (Tiling) and BS7533 (Paving) due to the differences in laying specification. (Tiles are between 6mm and 16mm. Paving is generally 20mm and above) (Some 20mm slabs are badged as ‘tiles’ in their packaging)
14. Check the Weather Forecast
Check likely temperatures before laying and pointing. If the forecast is too cold or too hot, consider delaying the project. Protective measures may be taken but if these fail, so will the work.
15. Allow Curing Time Before Jointing
Allow 21 days between laying the slabs and jointing to ensure the laying bed has fully dried out (If the jointing is carried out too soon, shrinkage, discolouration and cracking may occur)
16. Secure Edging with Ties or Mesh
When adding an edging detail to a paved project, ensure the base and laying bed are extended beyond the paving, linking the two areas together with either brick ties or steel mesh to prevent any movement between the two surfaces.
17. Check Irrigation Systems
Check to establish whether any irrigation systems finish at or near to the paved areas, especially automatic lines or lawn drainage, as any localised increase in moisture could affect the field water capacity under the paving and cause heave, especially on clay soils.
18. Keep All Documentation
Always retain any instructions or documents that arrive with the materials, and keep them for at least six years. As the industry is evolving, and products and advice change, if you can prove that you followed the advice given at the time of working, you will not be liable for any future problems.
19. Prevent Ponding in Rainfall Protection
When protecting your paving works from heavy rainfall, ensure the sheeting cannot pond or pool into one area and cause settlement/ponding by pressing down on freshly laid work as these depressions can cause surface drainage issues.
20. Invest in Quality Materials
Always buy the best quality products, avoiding wherever possible any low price materials as this can be a false economy!
