The problem is smooth stones were used instead of crushed rock, which would have avoided the slippage caused by smooth stones. With crushed rock, you stabilize it by tamping it down. Tamping causes the facets of the rocks to align and wedge together, eliminating the slippage of smooth stones. Never make a pathway using rounded stones.
I made a gravel pathway with smooth stone and there is too much movement in the gravel....do you think I can use a wacker on it or is it pointless using a wacker on smooth stones?
A contractor was supposed to put a gravel path in the shady side alley between mine and my neighbors house where much of the grass has died. He put some metal edging and is putting gravel right on top of the dirt which is muddy in parts. He didn’t really dig down much, maybe an inch in some areas, but I’m worried the gravel will sink down over time and the mud come up. Can laying down crushed stone help? Update: the contractor was a con artist. Actually artist is a nice word. He was just a con. Gravel did end up sinking in parts. In some areas it sunk down where the fake French drain pipe he installed got crushed by it. Follow this video and do it the right way
Our contractor did same and turned out krappy. Weeds come up and gravel sinks. This video looks like the right way. 1. Landscape fabric 2.Crushed stone paver base 3. Washed pea gravel. Our contractor put small stone edging on sides and grass grew over it. Sort of waste of money.
Love it. Can you add a final step? Cover with thin layer of cement powder and wet with hose? Purpose would be to lock down the stones so they might "glue" and hold together. Otherwise gravel ends up all in your grass overtime really want to mitigate that. Thanks
The mixture he has made is effectively a self binding gravel with a stone topping. Normally the fines float to the top when you water it and then compact which is the look a lot of people are going for with self binding gravel but by adding stones right a the end and the compacting he has made the top surface have stones, but they will be roughly held in place by the fines, and other smaller stones binding them in place. The top stones need to be not the rounded type.
Thank you Chris, this is exactly the same issue we have with the path we just had made. 4cm of gravel but with no base. It's like walking on the beach. But there is landscape fabric under the gravel to stop weeds penetrating. If I do what you suggest with the hardcore, should I remove the fabric or will the hardcore still pack down and stay put if I leave the fabric where it is?
We’re creating paths in our garden following the Wickes method. There’s a video on yt. The process is dig down 4 or5 inches. Put down landscape fabric and whatever edging you want, then spread subbase and compact it then it’s ready for a one inch layer of gravel.
Hi sir, how long does this pathway last? And does it need regular maintenance and if it does need maintenance then how often? Also is it a viable pathway if subjected to regular foot traffic such asin schools? Thank you
Hi, Do I need a permit for a gravel pathway in my backyard? N.B. If its already done what should I do since the city has to come in the future for a gazebo inspection?
