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Coletrickle_780816 Jan 2023 07:20Hello,
I would like to create a gravel strip / splash guard / paved path on the west side (rain-exposed side) of our house/garage.
The garage is about 9m (30 feet) long and is 80cm (31 inches) away from the neighbor’s fence/curb.
Since this area will also be used for walking occasionally, I plan to lay 60 x 40 x 4cm (24 x 16 x 1.5 inches) slabs. These should be flush in height with the driveway pavement and embedded at the end with basalt crushed stone (40-60mm) (1.6-2.4 inches) (see picture).
Basically, I understand that excavation is necessary, a drainage membrane (dimple mat) must be installed against the wall base, frost protection must be applied, compacting is required, weed protection fabric, etc.
However, there is a lot of different advice online: some recommend an excavation depth of 80cm (31 inches), others say 20cm (8 inches) is sufficient.
In the end, I just want rainwater to drain well, with the slabs slightly higher than the basalt crushed stone.
Maybe you can help me with exact measurements. Attached are some pictures.
I would like to create a gravel strip / splash guard / paved path on the west side (rain-exposed side) of our house/garage.
The garage is about 9m (30 feet) long and is 80cm (31 inches) away from the neighbor’s fence/curb.
Since this area will also be used for walking occasionally, I plan to lay 60 x 40 x 4cm (24 x 16 x 1.5 inches) slabs. These should be flush in height with the driveway pavement and embedded at the end with basalt crushed stone (40-60mm) (1.6-2.4 inches) (see picture).
Basically, I understand that excavation is necessary, a drainage membrane (dimple mat) must be installed against the wall base, frost protection must be applied, compacting is required, weed protection fabric, etc.
However, there is a lot of different advice online: some recommend an excavation depth of 80cm (31 inches), others say 20cm (8 inches) is sufficient.
In the end, I just want rainwater to drain well, with the slabs slightly higher than the basalt crushed stone.
Maybe you can help me with exact measurements. Attached are some pictures.
A
Aloha_Lars16 Jan 2023 10:26Hello :-)
Basically, you have already described everything well. For me, the most interesting question would be whether it all fits well in the narrow passageway. You still have to place the curbstones somewhere, and they also need a small base on both sides. With the fence there, it looks quite tight here. Maybe the photo is deceiving, but I would guess that you will actually have only about 60cm (24 inches) of width available once the curbstones are installed.
Good luck
Basically, you have already described everything well. For me, the most interesting question would be whether it all fits well in the narrow passageway. You still have to place the curbstones somewhere, and they also need a small base on both sides. With the fence there, it looks quite tight here. Maybe the photo is deceiving, but I would guess that you will actually have only about 60cm (24 inches) of width available once the curbstones are installed.
Good luck
C
Coletrickle_780816 Jan 2023 10:29The curbstones are already in place; the neighbor installed them. After all, it’s his fence. They are positioned between the posts. They measure exactly 80cm (31.5 inches)… it’s supposed to be just an emergency access path, I would say.
A
Aloha_Lars16 Jan 2023 12:00Okay, that’s not visible in the photo. Surely there are local regulations that specify a required depth, etc.
I have filled about 30 cm (12 inches) with compacted 0/32 crushed stone, then a thin layer of fines, and on top of that the slabs, or basalt gravel next to them (don’t ask me for the exact size—something like 16/32 mm (5/8 inch to 1 1/4 inch)…). Location: Swabian Alb, where it often freezes. So far, it works very well.
A dimpled membrane on the house wall is important to prevent the gravel from pushing directly against the plaster.
I have filled about 30 cm (12 inches) with compacted 0/32 crushed stone, then a thin layer of fines, and on top of that the slabs, or basalt gravel next to them (don’t ask me for the exact size—something like 16/32 mm (5/8 inch to 1 1/4 inch)…). Location: Swabian Alb, where it often freezes. So far, it works very well.
A dimpled membrane on the house wall is important to prevent the gravel from pushing directly against the plaster.
W
WilderSueden16 Jan 2023 12:47Coletrickle_7808 schrieb:
You read a lot of different opinions online, sometimes an excavation depth of 80cm (31 inches) is recommended, other times 20cm (8 inches) is said to be enough.It depends on the soil and the intended use. The worse the drainage, the more frost-sensitive the soil, and the heavier the loads, the deeper the excavation should be. For a footpath, though, 80cm (31 inches) is seriously overkill, even with very heavy clay. I would go for 30cm (12 inches), since the slabs aren’t very thick.W
WilderSueden16 Jan 2023 13:09One thing I forgot to mention earlier: it also depends on the top layer you have. For example, tiles set in a mortar bed create a rigid top layer. If anything underneath moves, cracks can form in the mortar. Pavers are somewhat more flexible, but they can cause ruts. Your option is unproblematic in this regard, since your slab is laid loose on a gravel bed. If it lifts by 3mm (0.12 inches) in winter, nothing will happen.
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