The Brew Cabin

Tony,
I have inherited a rather ugly paved patio and now wish to cover it with a wooden deck laid straight on the slabs. The problem is there are weeds (and lots of them) growing through the slabs. Can you see any problems with pulling out the weeds and laying a weed suppressing membrane over the slabs and covering this with pea shingle.

I can't see any problem in using a weed barrier membrane, but I'm not so sure about a deck - bloody treacherous things in the wet, you know!

Douse the paving with a top notch weedkiller first - sodium chlorate if you can get it, or summat like PathClear as a second choice. There's no real need for the weed barrier membrane, but you can use one if it makes you feel better. Once the deck is in place, the limited light levels and a regular soaking with weedkiller will keep any sub-deck weed growth to a minimum.

Still, once you've got a few bob, you can always have a good bonfire with the decking, and cook a few spuds with couple of steaks while you install some sensible paving in its place. ;)

Tony,
Thanks for the advice. I'll start saving.
Kind regards........John