Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 13:36:06

Title: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 13:36:06
So at my new place, there is a lovely brick driveway. Great for cars and walking on, but no so good for service work as the bricks will easily show a small drop of oil  :(

Any suggestions for projecting it? Thinking a sealant first, then some kind of heavy duty sheeting? As I'd be dragging a jack over it, using stands ect.

Anyone else have same problem?

Thanks  :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Kevin Wood on 24 April 2014, 13:37:15
Get an old carpet and roll it out before working. Makes lying on it more comfortable to boot. :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 13:48:12
Get an old carpet and roll it out before working. Makes lying on it more comfortable to boot. :y

I've got one small bit left by old owner, but it's only big enough to go under centre stand of the bike in the garage. Do carpet sellers still do off cuts?  :-\
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Bigron on 24 April 2014, 14:19:12
Have you tried a local car boot sale? They often have either offcuts, as you say, or even bigger, cheap!

Ron.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: omegod on 24 April 2014, 14:33:36
waterproof picnic blanket ! oil wont seep through the plastic backing
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Lagondanet on 24 April 2014, 14:37:43
B&Q sell large 3x3m? blue plastic sheets. I bought two recently for when we had some skips on the drive.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Gaffers on 24 April 2014, 15:01:03
I would get some marine ply, put a small 5mm lip all around and paint it in PVA and use that.  You can then use it for jack/stands as well as catching all spils :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 April 2014, 15:22:58
I assume its a block drive and not brick?

As brick/clay drives are not porous so any oil just washes off
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 16:03:31
I assume its a block drive and not brick?

As brick/clay drives are not porous so any oil just washes off

It's brick...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/Drive.png)

I was under impression oil would soak into the bricks?  :-\

B&Q sell large 3x3m? blue plastic sheets. I bought two recently for when we had some skips on the drive.

My Concern is with those, ripping under heavy use, jacks, tools, ect.

I would get some marine ply, put a small 5mm lip all around and paint it in PVA and use that.  You can then use it for jack/stands as well as catching all spils :y

I'm liking that, I've got a load of PVA left from the garage floor painting.

Like the lip idea, as fluids will always go everywhere. Could easily wash it off in the grass/road  :)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 16:05:06
Just looking at Marine Ply, it would cope with jack wheels digging in when jacking up? Assuming I've PVA sealed, then painted to stop it going soft with oils ect.

http://www.jewson.co.uk/timber/sheet-materials/plywood/marine-plywood/products/PLYMBF12/marine-plywood-12-x-1200-x-2440mm/ (http://www.jewson.co.uk/timber/sheet-materials/plywood/marine-plywood/products/PLYMBF12/marine-plywood-12-x-1200-x-2440mm/)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 16:13:42
I'm confused if it is block or brick now  :-[ :-[ :-[  ;D ;D

Looks like brick to me, but spot of Googl'ing suggests block  ???

As it's a fairly small area, with interesting shape, looking at all the odd angles and cuts, I assumed it was brick.  :-\
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 24 April 2014, 16:17:41
Block is concrete, brick is clay, take a closer pic showing around 6-12 blocks and we can tell better.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 24 April 2014, 16:21:05
Block is concrete, brick is clay, take a closer pic showing around 6-12 blocks and we can tell better.

Will do  :y :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 24 April 2014, 18:24:25
How about a 'Holly' blanket......think i got it from Hellfrauds.....Its the size of an Omega estate boot....its padded, so comfy to lie on....its also pvc on the facedown side.....so waterproof....and also washable.....iirc it was about £15....
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Varche on 24 April 2014, 19:54:19
My suggestion for what it is worth is to buy a gardeners potting up tray. They are plastic and about 3foot6inch square. Well mine is!

Here is a cheap example. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Multipurpose-Potting-Bench-for-Seed-Trays-Grow-Pots-Verve-/251495973141?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Pots_Window_Boxes_CV&hash=item3a8e540115

Any spills you can wipe up and dispose of. When not in use hang up from garage wall/rafter

Great for autobox oil change too.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 April 2014, 19:55:50
I was all set to suggest using next doors', but Guffers' ply tray idea is actually a good shout :y

Easy to wipe clean, durable, and nice and storable when not it use. Could also make mini ones for axle stands/jacks etc
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 24 April 2014, 19:59:25
How much oil are you planning to spill Tunnie?  :o  ;D
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: 05omegav6 on 24 April 2014, 20:02:31
How much oil are you planning to spill Tunnie?  :o  ;D
About four litres from the Desmond ;D
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: omega3000 on 24 April 2014, 22:40:18
If you mess the blocks up , turn them over like i did mine ... looks new again  :D
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 28 April 2014, 20:17:03
Sorry for the delay, pictures...

The question was block or brick?  :-[  :-\

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/2014-04-28%2020.07.50.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/2014-04-28%2020.07.55.jpg)

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/2014-04-28%2020.08.05.jpg)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: TheBoy on 28 April 2014, 20:26:10
Looks block to me, tunnie. But Master will be able to confirm.


Those Costco mats that I used to have (after seeing 'gixers) are quite good. But £15 a pop.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 28 April 2014, 20:30:25
Those Costco mats that I used to have (after seeing 'gixers) are quite good. But £15 a pop.

Yeah, think I need a few, plus Mad Mechanic recommended me some similar ones too. Think I need some just to do basic stuff here.

Reason I ask on the drive, is around the door where there it goes up, looks like brick...

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/2014-04-28%2020.08.12.jpg)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: TheBoy on 28 April 2014, 20:31:44
Still look like block to me...  ...and I've spent a lot of time looking at bricks in the last couple of weeks ;D
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 April 2014, 20:57:09
Concrete blocks.....and at the lower end of the workmanship quality end of the scale looking at that second picture.  :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 28 April 2014, 21:02:58
Block it is then, so need to protect it from oil spills and jack use.

This will be a 5 year house for us I think, it has 10 year warranty when bought, so looking to stay while that is still in effect. As some elements of a new build, do cut costs.

The fence panels between me and people behind me are so thin, I think a paint brush would go through  ;D
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 April 2014, 21:04:45
The 10 year NHBC warranty is not worth a wank, they might do something if there is a fundamental structural issue but pretty much bugger all else, it certainly won't cover the drive.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Seth on 28 April 2014, 21:05:35
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/803897/NewHouse/Driveway/2014-04-28%2020.08.12.jpg)

Look like brick paviours to me Mark :-\

Had very similar ones here a while back. Hard as flint! ::)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: TheBoy on 28 April 2014, 21:07:03
The 10 year NHBC warranty is not worth a wank, they might do something if there is a fundamental structural issue but pretty much bugger all else, it certainly won't cover the drive.
There are 3 (I think) levels of NHBC.  I know I have the top level, as that was the only one to cover the roof, after some of the tiles tried to kill anyone coming to the front door ;D.

But, yes, it was during that that I realised NHBC is bugger all more than a marketing exercise.
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 April 2014, 21:07:34
Concrete pavers they are, full mould construction and you can see the stone aggregate in the concrete.

You can get two types of paver, concrete and clay  :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Seth on 28 April 2014, 21:10:59
Concrete pavers they are, full mould construction and you can see the stone aggregate in the concrete.

You can get two types of paver, concrete and clay  :y

Must've been the jobbies that were here then ... once upon a time ;)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 28 April 2014, 21:14:11
Clay are quite different, less uniform size, wire cut face and extruded. More colour variation, no aggregate visible and the colour comes from the clay like house bricks so they don't fade. But there not porous so much much less prone to staining.

Trouble is they have to be cut with a diamond blade as block splitters won't work so installers dont like them  :y
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: Seth on 28 April 2014, 21:33:10
Clay are quite different, less uniform size, wire cut face and extruded. More colour variation, no aggregate visible and the colour comes from the clay like house bricks so they don't fade. But there not porous so much much less prone to staining.

Trouble is they have to be cut with a diamond blade as block splitters won't work so installers dont like them  :y

As I found out! :o
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: tunnie on 28 April 2014, 23:47:59
The 10 year NHBC warranty is not worth a wank, they might do something if there is a fundamental structural issue but pretty much bugger all else, it certainly won't cover the drive.

They had the plumbers out to a couple of houses in the close to fix few issues, like a radiator problem. Previous owner to mine called them up as the spring return plug thing on basin in bog number 1 failed, they came out replaced it that week. No charge  :)

Think someone else in the close had a leaky shower tray, again out to fix that no problem.

So far they have fixed every minor little thing  :y

So happy here  :)
Title: Re: Protecting Brick Driveway during DIY Service
Post by: TheBoy on 29 April 2014, 21:26:29
The 10 year NHBC warranty is not worth a wank, they might do something if there is a fundamental structural issue but pretty much bugger all else, it certainly won't cover the drive.

They had the plumbers out to a couple of houses in the close to fix few issues, like a radiator problem. Previous owner to mine called them up as the spring return plug thing on basin in bog number 1 failed, they came out replaced it that week. No charge  :)

Think someone else in the close had a leaky shower tray, again out to fix that no problem.

So far they have fixed every minor little thing  :y

So happy here  :)
That will be the original builders, and snag lists.

NHBC will give you a piss-off-pill for that sort of thing. It covers structural defects only, and some levels only cover vertical outside walls.