Page 1 of 1
Posted: Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:58 pm
by angusmeryon
hi all
I have a query. I have about 10 sqm of concrete at the end of my garden. The right half of it is flat, and currently has a shed on it which I intend to dispose of. I'd like to dig the concrete out and gravel over the whole area. The problem is the left hand side of it. It slopes down to a soakaway drain with a slight gradient. Can I dig the concrete out, and what happens to the drain if I do? Can i put a fine mesh over it and then gravel it? There's some hardcore under the concrete - do I leave this and gravel over the top, or do i dig it all up, leaving bare earth, and then put a liner down and then gravel it? I'd like to have a table and chairs there, nothing heavier than that.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Angus 
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:59 am
by lutonlagerlout
it all depends on your levels/and budget really mate
if the concrete is low to the grass/lawn then why not gravel over it??
if it is high ,best to break it out
a picture would be handy
regards LLL
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:12 am
by angusmeryon
Budget non-existent! ha ha! The concrete is mainly a few inches lower than the lawn, so you're right - gravelling over it would be the simplest thing. The problem is the left hand half of it that slopes down to the drain. The gradient is enough for all of the gravel to just fall into the drain if I don't cover over the grille... is this wise and will it affect drainage? I will post a photo later this week (if I ever get home from work in daylight hours ). The patch of concrete that forms a base for the shed is a good three inches higher than the rest. Is it best to break it up with a pickaxe/sledgehammer, or can I hire an air-driven tool to do the job?
presumably if I do take all the concrete out, I won't need the drain anyway as any water will soak away naturally.
Regards and thanks
Angus
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:01 pm
by andpartington
Hiring a tool depends on how strong u are fealing you like spending money n a breaker personally i would get some cans in and the mates round beg borrower or steal a sledge and get on with it shouldn’t take long with a few of u at it but better still rap a piece of landscape fabric over the grate to stop the gravel falling through without blocking the drain
and
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:07 pm
by andpartington
have a look at this post and see if this a soulition u like the sound of
post
andy
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:44 pm
by angusmeryon
Thanks Andy for that. I've been onto the HSS site and I can hire a breaker for £30 ish for the day which seems OK. Will get some mates round anyway to help me shift the concrete into the skip which they should be able to do even after a few beers!
Just one final question really - when I dig the concrete up there's a few inches of compacted hardcore etc. under it. Will water drain through that into the earth, or do I need to get that up as well? Also, if I do take it back to bare earth before gravelling, do I need a liner?
This area will only be for very light usage - table and chairs in the summer only, so no heavy weights ie. cars etc. on it. It's bordered on three sides anyway by the rear garden wall and by two raised flowerbeds so the gravel won't need to be bonded down (hopefully)
Many thanks for your advice.
Angus