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Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:44 pm
by fredmila
I laid a sub-base similar to DTP1/50mm crusher run in my garden to install patio stone slabs for footpath traffic. The thing is I left it for several months before getting back to it and now weed and grass have spread and started growing in it. Is it possible to get rid of this unwanted vegetation without removing and re-laying the sub-base?
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:36 pm
by DNgroundworks
Maybe a weedkiller may help if the vegetation isnt too bad
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:48 pm
by DNgroundworks
or jus pull the weeds out, and maybe run over again with a roller/wacker plate 
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:23 pm
by fredmila
If I manage to eliminate it with weed killer or pulling it, is there a risk that roots below may grow again, through the paving?
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:31 pm
by seanandruby
yes. you'll just have to keep on top of it.
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:28 am
by Tony McC
If you douse the sub-base with a strong weedkiller, such as sodium chlorate, you should be fine.
Once the paving is in places, assuming it's properly laid on a full mortar bed and with decent jointing, it's going to have to be some sort of super weed to get through that!
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:17 pm
by fredmila
Thanks for the advice
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 10:38 am
by BGHSE
Some questions for the experts, if I may.
I have grass growing between blocks on my drive, will sodium chlorate affect the blocks?
Where might I obtain sodium chlorate?
Is it available neat, or is it supplied mixed with other substances?
All assistance gratefully received.
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:10 pm
by Mikey_C
I have grass growing between blocks on my drive, will sodium chlorate affect the blocks?
NO
Where might I obtain sodium chlorate?
Garden center, diy store, wilksons etc
Is it available neat, or is it supplied mixed with other substances?
Nearly all sodium Chlorate will be mixed 50/50 with fire suppressants. As you intend to use it on your drive and not make bombs with it that shouldn't be a problem!
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:15 pm
by BGHSE
Thank you Mikey C. Great help.
I am sure you, and everybody else, will be pleased I have no intention whatsoever to make bombs with the sodium chlorate!
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:34 pm
by GB_Groundworks
yeah its only about 5% concentration now in path clear etc to stop people making ied
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:06 pm
by lutonlagerlout
i'll probably get locked up for this but when we were kids we used to make bombs our of sodium chlorate and sugar,it was a more innocent time the 70's, we set one off over the park and i kid you not it was like a mushroom cloud
we hid in the woods for 4 hours expecting all manner of retribution but no-one seemed to notice
its the modern times we live in i suppose,my old man said when he was at school in the 50's lads used to bring in their dad's revolvers and other guns their dads had captured from germans etc
imagine that nowadays??
LLL
Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:08 pm
by GB_Groundworks
i'm sure in some schools they have their own revolvers automatics etc haha don't need their dads lol
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:44 am
by seanandruby
Our old teacher was an ex bomber pilot. The trick was to get him talking about the raids, he would go on for ages with every swear word in the book and the gory bits. He used to bring his old guns, even a grenade to show us. he would send me ( age12/13 ) over the shop for his pipe baccy. what a character, taught us a great deal, would get six months in jail nowadays.
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:01 am
by lutonlagerlout
we had 1 like that Arthur peters,funny thing is of all the teachers i had at school he sticks in my mind the most, i met another old primary school teacher at Christmas and she tells me he is still alive and well at 87 
we had another teacher Mick docherty who used to regale us with stories of nights out and building sites in london (he was an ex hoddie)
I would say that these 2 shaped my perception of the world more than my own dad at 8 years old (old fella was working 7 days then)
<saturday morning waffle over>
yes sodium chlorate is fine
LLL :;):