Re-doing my patio (cheaply)

clayton16749

So the previous owners of my house decided to dig up the concrete slabs from the patio area in the back garden - and leave them in the garage. They then covered the area where the concrete was with some gravel.


But now the weeds have taken over and from looking at it, they've not put any sort of membrane down below the gravel.


Being a novice, I just want to make sure what I'm going to do it right.


Gravel will be removed from the area and a membrane of good quality will be placed on the ground. I'll then replace the gravel (maybe a different variety cos I don't like the gravel they used) and it's all sorted - nice patio area and no more weeds!


Is there anything else I need to do? The patio area is right by the rear of the house, it's pretty flat but do I need to take precautions to make sure rain water doesn't build up against the house for example??

Procrastinator333

You can't just put the gravel on the membrane. It will get ripped as people walk on it due to presure on the gravel.

If you really want gravel, then I would dig out a further inch or 2 of soil. Put your membrane down. Then add an inch or 2 of sand. Then put your gravel down.

But I don't think gravel for a patio area is very nice, so personally I would not be looking to keep the gravel!

Ozzuk

If you are using a heavy duty membrane then I don't see any issue, I'd defer to Procrastinator if he's a landscaper but I've made many paths for instance over the years and just used membrane.

getmore4less

I have seen some done with ground grid products,

Along with a good edge the gravel goes nowhere and is much easier to walk on etc.

something like(just an example not a rec. there are loads of suppliers.)
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Ground-Base-Grid-Green/p/222130

Filled correctly you can hardly see it.

Some come with built in weed protection..

Procrastinator333

Ozzuk wrote: »

If you are using a heavy duty membrane then I don't see any issue, I'd defer to Procrastinator if he's a landscaper but I've made many paths for instance over the years and just used membrane.

Nope, not a landscaper. I used what was supposed to be a heavy duty membrane when putting some decking down. I put gravel on it to keep it in place/hide the membrane under the decking and ripped it in quite a few places just by walking on it.

Maybe there are better products out there that won't rip as easily as mine seemed to, but worth considering when getting your membrane.

I_have_spoken

Then add an inch or 2 of sand. Then put your gravel down.

Err...no.

You need a good quality woven geotextile, not the fleece type

clayton16749

Thanks for the replies guys, what I plan to do is intended as a short term and cheap fix to get rid of the area looking awful due to all the weeds coming through.


Long term (after we've done all the other stuff we need to do to the house) I'd want something a bit nicer than gravel.


Does anyone think a membrane might cause rain water to flow towards the house? I just don't want any damp problems - the area is flat but I suppose the water has to go one way or the other if it can't sink down through the membrane.


Thanks

Gigervamp

The membrane should allow water to drain through it.

jellie

Depending on how long your gravel is in place, don't expect it to be permanently weed free. My experience is that weeds will eventually find a way to grow.

SternMusik

Harrods Horticultural (I know - don't laugh) sell a reasonably priced, very good quality heavy duty weed control fabric. I've recently used it underneath a gravel base for a new shed.

The reason I mention them is that they sell it in different widths, so there is no hassle with cutting off a roll and getting various bits of fabric to lay on top of each other. I bought a 3m x 3m piece which did the job perfectly. It's of a heavy, woven quality so will withstand walking on it no problem.

Also don't forget the pegs to pin the fabric down. You can probably make some from thick wire but the DIY sheds sell them also (I got them from B & Q).

SternMusik

Oh and before you start clearing it, generously spraying the area with glyphosate will kill the weeds that are already there. Give it a few days to work its way into the roots. That should reduce the likelihood of weeds occuring once you've got the fabric down.