How easy is it to replace and re-lay the slabs?
I do not want to have to re-lay all of them. It should not be too much of a job to re-lay the slabs that have shifted – but you need to make sure the base for the slabs is firm enough. For a drive there should be about 100mm (4inches) to 150mm (6inches) of concrete under the paving slabs. Lift the cracked slab first, it will probably be easy to remove – break it up with a lump hammer and remove the bits. (Please remember to wear safety glasses). Use a bolster to chip away the mortar that the slab was bedded on. This will allow you to inspect the base and see how firm it is. If it has not cracked lay the new slab on mortar mixed to a ratio of about 4 sand :1 cement. To remove the other slabs, prise them up using a spade or crow bar – mind your fingers! When the slab is lifted, use a hammer and bolster to clean the old mortar off the underside of the slab and the concrete base. The slab can be laid in the same way as the replacement one. Make sure you allow 4 or 5 days for the mortar to
