Replacing sloping path

Cherryfudge

We are in the process of breaking up the old concrete path to our front door. It’s on a slope so there’s a step up from the road and a further wide step before the door, then a step into the house.

It has to go as it’s cracked and has moved slightly over the 80 or 90 years it’s been in place, and there’s a tree root lifting it too! The tree stays - I have decreed. 🙂

We originally looked into block paving but it’s hard to find someone to do it and we need to reduce costs if possible. We’re now wondering it if would be possible to edge it with sleepers and create wide steps filled with a membrane, sand and gravel.

Obviously we’re wanting to reduce hazards as well as create a path/steps, so it needs to be something that can be used in all weathers, including ice, doesn’t become too susceptible to moss/slippery surface, is safe for various visitors who have sight and/or mobility issues… not a lot to ask! Sadly, the house will never be wheelchair accessible so that’s not in consideration.

Is our idea of gravel boxes feasible? Is it a job we could attempt ourselves? Is there a better surface to consider, bearing in mind we want to keep costs down?

And is there anything else we’ve not thought of?

 Thanks in advance 😊

MikeJXE

Judging by the photo it looks as though it could be possible to have a path with no steps

depending of course the distance and gradient 

Brie

MikeJXE said:

Judging by the photo it looks as though it could be possible to have a path with no steps

depending of course the distance and gradient 

If so don't just use loose gravel as that gives you 2 problems.  Cats will think it's a lovely litter tray and the gravel will constantly drift down hill.

Wooden sleepers would work but ensure they are given rough surfaces to avoid slipping.

FreeBear

Gravel will travel. Even if you use gravel grids, the stuff will still escape. You also run the risk of bringing it inside stuck to the bottom of your shoes if it as small stone chips. Also not fun with wheelchairs, shopping trolleys, or prams.

Would be worth digging a small test pit and see how deep the hardcore is that is under the existing concrete. If it is of adequate depth, laying block paving on top is relatively easy.

Cherryfudge

MikeJXE said:

Judging by the photo it looks as though it could be possible to have a path with no steps

depending of course the distance and gradient 

The path as it is at the moment has a step up from the pavement and another before the house, but no intervening steps. We could try to do the same again - or put a middle step in where the tree root runs underneath. I'm thinking that could accommodate any further root growth more easily than a slope, but I may be wrong.

I'm wary of trying to do all the maths to do with gradient but there's a rise of about 3' from road level to the floor of the house. The step up from the road is approximately 6", the step from the path to the door is 7.5" and the doorstep is 7", so a guestimate says the gradient of the actual path is around 16" over about 28'.(All imperial as the house is 1930s)!

Any step would only be shallow but it would help reduce the issue of gravel spilling into the road. A neighbour has a gravel drive but without a lip to contain the gravel and it's always on the road.

Thanks for the feedback. I must admit fewer steps would reduce the hassle!

Cheslea2010

You could use Self Binding Gravel provided the gradient isn't too steep. You could have a gentle grade going from the road to the house without the need for a step. It is pushchair/wheelchair friendly and cats can't dig it up.

Cherryfudge

Brie said:

If so don't just use loose gravel as that gives you 2 problems.  Cats will think it's a lovely litter tray and the gravel will constantly drift down hill.

Wooden sleepers would work but ensure they are given rough surfaces to avoid slipping.

Thanks @Brie The sleepers would just be to provide boxes to hold the gravel: it's quite shaded so wood would tend to get slippery. I hadn't thought about cats - perhaps it's time for us to get a dog!

Cherryfudge

FreeBear said:

Gravel will travel. Even if you use gravel grids, the stuff will still escape. You also run the risk of bringing it inside stuck to the bottom of your shoes if it as small stone chips. Also not fun with wheelchairs, shopping trolleys, or prams.

Would be worth digging a small test pit and see how deep the hardcore is that is under the existing concrete. If it is of adequate depth, laying block paving on top is relatively easy.

Thank you @FreeBear: I'd not even heard of gravel grids - this forum is a mine of knowledge! 


Eek to constantly bringing gravel into the house. I'd have to look at something a bit too large to stick to shoes but small enough to bed down well.

Wheelchairs are unfortunately an absolute impossibility as the entrance to the house is too narrow and the step into the house is steep for a chair. We know because it's been tried. When there's a pram it has to stay on the lawn for the same reason. There's no access at the other side of the house either!

The test pit is a really good idea. There's rubble underneath but it can't be very deep. However, all these years under concrete will have compacted it nicely so block paving could work. I wonder if that's something we could look at doing ourselves? We can manage some DIY but I think amateur work would soon break down under daily use.

Cherryfudge

Cheslea2010 said:

You could use Self Binding Gravel provided the gradient isn't too steep. You could have a gentle grade going from the road to the house without the need for a step. It is pushchair/wheelchair friendly and cats can't dig it up.

Thank you! I'm learning fast: a few minutes ago I didn't even know the name for self-binding gravel but we've seen it around and wondered whether it would work. I imagine it would give a much more stable surface so would be good for people who might find loose gravel too unstable, and we do have visitors who this applies to.

Brie

Cherryfudge said:

Brie said:

If so don't just use loose gravel as that gives you 2 problems.  Cats will think it's a lovely litter tray and the gravel will constantly drift down hill.

Wooden sleepers would work but ensure they are given rough surfaces to avoid slipping.

Thanks @Brie The sleepers would just be to provide boxes to hold the gravel: it's quite shaded so wood would tend to get slippery. I hadn't thought about cats - perhaps it's time for us to get a dog!

Cats would simply do their business while a dog barks furiously through the window.  In fact we had a cat that people complained about because it scared their dogs.  Granted it was a huge 23 pound monster but it was strange to see full grown Dulex English sheep dogs whimpering as they went past our house when Wimsey was on the front lawn.

twopenny

Like the gate step. It has character. 
I'd be inclined, while you're at it, to widen and deepen the door step to make it easier to stand on when ringing the bell, finding your keys and highlight the front door. Concrete or use bricks around and slate slabs on top.

I think the area around the tree roots probably isn't too much of a worry. It's mature so what is there now won't swell for years. If it does in future you could cut out a section and just mend that bit. It will weather in. Or you could cement so small cobbles over that part and run them through the garden a bit in a decorative way.

I've seen gravel steps done and they don't work on any way.
I wonder if bound gravel can be repaired if the tree roots come fourth? If so it's worth it. If not it's expensive.