side of house gravel path

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chatlow

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Hi all, I am finally getting around to sorting out the small path down side of our house. The plan is to create a lean to roof linking gutters to our main drain, but first thing is the ground. It's going to be walked on fairly often.

I have dug out a couple of cm of mud so far which had some weed in it. Then noticed some stone/gravel underneath, which saves me more digging (and part of this job).

I have blue slate chippings ready to put down but the question I had was about weed membrane. I was going to get the heavy duty stuff but I'm reading it's not very permeable even though Wickes and other places suggest it is. Should I go for the cloth type instead (just to help block any future weeds) before adding my stone on top? Plan on adding 2-3cm worth and keep it at least a brick below the DPC
 
I'd have said slate chippings are for decorative use - not a pathway to be walked on. But it's your choice.

Weeds will grow in the muck in any gravel/chippings and the membrane is there to hold chippings in place (and not migrate into the sub-soil) not for weed suppression.
 
thanks yeah prob more decorative but they were free and local, so decided why not.
So if the membrane isn't there for weed control just to stop the chippings sinking, then would heavy duty be best? We def don't want water pooling issues, so I really hope they allow it through easily
 
If you're planning to instal a lean-to roof over the path then you don't really need a membrane, especially as it'll be in constant use. Foot traffic will suppress any seeds and chippings will take care of any stragglers. You might want to consider placing larger stepping stones along the path though, lest the perpetual crunch-crunch of footsteps drive you crazy.
 
Odds said:
If you're planning to instal a lean-to roof over the path then you don't really need a membrane, especially as it'll be in constant use. Foot traffic will suppress any seeds and chippings will take care of any stragglers. You might want to consider placing larger stepping stones along the path though, lest the perpetual crunch-crunch of footsteps drive you crazy.
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Thanks yeah Im thinking about a few slabs maybe along the middle. The roof is going to happen, but with so much other work going on, im not sure when and would like to membrane down if its going to be a while, plus I thought it helped a lot with weeds, but turns out i'm wrong :-/
 
Membrane can be permeable but that cuts both ways and allows seeds in to grow, too. If i had to choose between a weed or two or allowing better drainage around the house, i'll go with the latter.
 
might be a silly question - but how would seeds get under the membrane if laid correctly and with stone on top? I'm a bit taken back by this as I always thought a membrane was needed to combat weed growth
 
Sharp edges dig into the membrane when you step on them, creating even the smallest tear to allow a seed in. They're tenacious and very persistent. If you go for the heavy duty stuff then by all means, enjoy a weed-free path but you may have to worry about damp rising along the wall in future.
 
Odds said:
Sharp edges dig into the membrane when you step on them, creating even the smallest tear to allow a seed in. They're tenacious and very persistent. If you go for the heavy duty stuff then by all means, enjoy a weed-free path but you may have to worry about damp rising along the wall in future.
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makes sense. The cloth stuff seems terrible especially over time. It's a shame the heavy duty membrane isn't as permeable as advertised as that would have been great to use. I'd rather a few weeds every so often than the possibility of draining issues
 
that being said, the cloth membrane (with a few rips after time) would surely be better than nothing at all, right? or am I just wasting 20 quid..
 
Sounds like it won't be necessary to me, especially if you're going to cover with a lean-to, but it's your dime.
Moss might become a problem if the area doesn't get much light, although regular foot traffic will take care of most things .
 
Just watched this video and I'm really conflicted now. He agrees the thin membrane is rubbish so gonna will leave that.. but he also says that the heavy duty woven weave is actually really decent and allows water through easily

 
Membranes need to go under the sub base to create separation and stabilisation between the sub-base (i.e. Type 1) and Sub Grade (i.e. the ground below), not under the finished surface. Slate is fine for a path although 40mm will be a bit chunky to walk on. Woven Membranes are permeable to water even they don't seem like it. They are tested for permeability under laboratory conditions.
 
Thanks. Last question on this.. if I'm to add some paving stones in the middle of this path to help walking on. Then could I get away with adding some sand under each on then adding this slate around each of them?
 
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