What type of path?

Snorkerz

I have an old concrete path around my newly rented-out house. The concrete is around 4" thick with proper substrate underneath. Unfortunately, it has had a further 2 - 3" of tarmac over the top of it.

So, the whole thing has got to go because it has breached the damp course.

I have had a quote of £650 to totally remove the path (front, back & side) and re-lay it with just basic gravel / chipings.

I am going to need something a bit more sturdy than that, so, based on the cost for the gravel, can anyone give a clue to how much I should expect to pay for tarmac / concrete / slabs?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Is your house sort of A4 sized & the path going around 1 side?

Or is it something more substantial?

People might want to know the square metres required.

andrew-b

How far does it breach the damp proof course by? How wide is the path? (As well as length/area)? Does the path actually serve any purpose for access?

Snorkerz

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

Is your house sort of A4 sized & the path going around 1 side?

Exactly

andrew-b wrote: »

How far does it breach the damp proof course by? How wide is the path? (As well as length/area)? Does the path actually serve any purpose for access?

About half a brick above damp course (half blocking air bricks)

Path varies, but around 1m wide by total length of 20m

Access to rear garden area - will be used by kids.

Location: NW England

andrew-b

So if you were to remove the top 2-3" layer of tarmac the path would come just below the DPC - though it wouldn't look very nice as you'll likely have a black residue left behind. If you did that maybe a replacement thin layer of tarmac (or similar thin surfacing - even just cement/concrete?) would still keep you just below the DPC (still not ideal but better than above it!).

Or cut off about a foot all the way round and fill with gravel - though might need some extra drainage to prevent a moat forming around the house. Actually this is what we have around part of our house adjacent to the path though not sure if any sort of drainage there as i haven't dug down into it to see.

Snorkerz

Thanks. Your suggestion re the channel is called a 'french drain'. I did originally think that but down the side of the house the path slopes towards the hous at present so water will gather in it. As the path removal is to get rid of a damp problem, attracting extra water to the side of the wall might be counter-productive.

I'm not sure how easy removing the tarmac would be - or how good the concrete is underneath - but I need it to look reasonably nice for the tenants.