Paving in Table View: Salt, Sand and a High Water Table

Salt spray, blown sand and a high water table

The majority of the Blaauwberg District is covered by well-drained grey to light-grey regic sands, the district plan says. The immediate coastal strip is unconsolidated white sand with pebbles and shells. The calcareous soils of the low-lying areas contain decomposing shell matter, are rich in calcium carbonate and frequently become waterlogged due to high local water tables.

The City lists the Table View beachfront among 16 hotspots expected to feel storm surges and rising sea levels more over time. The district description does not identify the soil or groundwater conditions of an individual erf.

Keep salt out of the sand

The CMA's specification commentary wants bedding and jointing sand clean of harmful soluble salts, which cause halo efflorescence. It notes that halo efflorescence is unsightly and can reduce the skid resistance of the pavement.

The CMA's homeowner guide asks for good quality, well-graded, washed river sand for the bedding layer.

Low-lying erven near the beach

Where a high water table exists, the CMA's earthworks note says subsoil drainage should be installed. It generally requires a minimum fall of 2% in any direction, with no undulations, to keep surface water from ponding.

The CMA's permeable paving note says one of the key criteria in choosing a system is the permeability of the existing ground, established from tests on site, with the groundwater table level among the other factors. Its full-infiltration system suits ground with good permeability. Where permeability is poor, its no-infiltration system puts an impermeable membrane on the subgrade and up the sides of the sub-base to form a storage tank, with outlet pipes through the membrane to other drainage devices.

The steps for building a driveway base are on the driveway paving in Cape Town page.

Blown sand and cleaning

The plan says sand dune migration impacts the use and maintenance of coastal infrastructure and properties.

High-pressure paving cleaning in Cape Town averages about R45 per m². The method is set out on our paving cleaning in Cape Town page.

Complexes, freehold erven and the verge

The plan describes Parklands and Sunningdale as greenfield development since the late nineties, largely low and medium density residential. In a complex or estate, ask whoever manages it before paving any shared area. On a freehold erf, a new or altered carriageway crossing is a City Miscellaneous Permit application to the RIM district office.

Table View paving prices

Driveway paving on a vehicle base is quoted per job. The Cape Town averages used on this site are explained on paving prices in Cape Town. Other town pages are listed under Cape Town paving areas. The services are listed under paving contractors in Cape Town.

Table View paving questions