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Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:32 pm
by makatar
I am gravelling over an existing garden and there are two concrete areas that the customer would prefer me not to remove but I can't see a way of gravelling over without the risk of the ball bearing effect that I've read about on this site. ..One area is a 2m x 2m x 75mm slab under a pergola and I think should just come out as its a walkway. The other is a metre square that houses a single skin manhole in the middle. The level is 50mm below the intended gravel level. This obviously can't come out so other than gravelling over and putting a focal point structure if some kind on it to stop traffic, I can't see what to do. Any ideas out there. One slightly leftfield thought is that as I was leaving the customers house I saw she has a doormat that is rubber, non slip and honeycombed 8-10mm thick. Wonder if I could stich a few of those together, lay them over the manhole and surround and then gravel over that...told you it was leftfield!
Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 8:36 pm
by msh paving
It wont work forget the idea, sorry for the bad news MSH 
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 7:11 am
by lemoncurd1702
Not sure, but maybe a 40mm slate gravel would be suitable as it's a flat product.
Try a small bag.
Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 10:51 am
by Tony McC
If you end up gravelling over the concrete slabs, then you must issue the client with a letter stating that you have advised them of the risk and that they absolve you of any responsibility. The last thing you need is some numpty to go, as predicted, arse over tit, and then blame you!
The doormat idea is almost a good one - you just need to realise that there are products on the market which do exactly this. A cell system of some sort, possibly glued to the concrete surface, could give the stability you need......
Look at these
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:10 pm
by Natajane
I'm not a driveway expert but i own a house where the previous owner has laid a thin layer of sand and then gravel over concrete in areas to the side of our back garden path.
We've never slipped or had any issues in the last 3 years.
Its that white cotswolds chippings stuff - so its not round really. More jagged.
If the customer is asking for it and is insistent just make them sign an agreement saying that they're aware of the issues you've raised and you won't be held liable. Or provide the stone and let them lay it themselves?
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 6:49 pm
by Adrwilliams
Two suggestions from a novice:
1) screed over the concrete with a suitable mix and set coarse chippings or gravel into - once set, this will create a coarse surface that will hold everything in place above it....
2) lay a heavyweight galvanised steel mesh, say 1 inch square over the concrete. Heavier gauge mesh can have wire thickness anything upto 3 or 4 mm and will create a 'trap' for the gravel to bite into. The gravel will sit in this and stay put.
Cheers
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 8:54 pm
by lutonlagerlout
sorry adrian but both ideas will not work
1 you cannot screed over the IC cover
2 if you are going to bury steel mesh then why not make it cheaper and buy plastic cells that are designed for the job?
you could use an inset cover ,but when people are gravelling they are usually nickel and diming the job
LLL :;):
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 11:11 pm
by Adrwilliams
lutonlagerlout wrote:sorry adrian but both ideas will not work
1 you cannot screed over the IC cover
2 if you are going to bury steel mesh then why not make it cheaper and buy plastic cells that are designed for the job?
you could use an inset cover ,but when people are gravelling they are usually nickel and diming the job
LLL :;):
Thanks LLL,
1 - no of course - but I wasnt suggesting that in any case.... there would have to be separate provision for the IC cover - eg: inset cover as you suggest. that said - I cant see how this wouldnt work?
2 - good point, but I think the steel mesh idea would still work nevertheless. I have a security fencing contractor near me who sells odd panels literally for scrap value.
(just bought a quantity for a chicken run project..)
Having said all of this (and defended the workability of my suggestions!!!) The plastic cells that you refer to seem to fit the bill perfectly -cheaper, easier and quicker.... a 'no brainer', it would seem!
Cheers
Adrian 
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 10:31 am
by Tony McC
Steel mesh exposed at the surface of concrete? Not for me!