The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:26 am**

Hi all,

I have recently specified a gravel pathway to be installed at a school, following advice from the pages on this website which has been most enlightening

The spec was as follows:

1) Take up existing grassed area to a depth of 125mm and lay permeable geotextile membrane.
2) Install 100mm tanalised timber gravel board edging and 450mm stakes to pathway. Fix with 50mm annular nails.
3) Lay 75mm thick DTp1 compacted sub base.
4) lay 25-40mm thick layer of rounded peagravel (6-15mm)

This has since been completed but the problem I am now faced with is that the sub base appears lumpy, and the membrane is now showing through the gravel. I have a meeting this afternoon with the contractor in order to resolve this - any ideas on how this can be rectified without incurring further costs?

All help appreciated!!

Cheers, Gem

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 10:43 am**

cant see any way it can be fixed witout costing is it used a hell of alot ? maybe its the kids kicking it about going over it on bikes an that :p

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:02 am**

Not used at all at present as the Headteacher is not happy with it so she is refusing to allow the children access; the children are only 4-5 years old and as far as I am aware the trikes they have are only suitable for use on the tarmac playground.

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 5:38 pm**

is the membrane showing through the 75mm of type 1 and the gravel???

they havent put the membrane on top of the type 1 have they?

a picture would help with a diagnosis

LLL

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:11 pm**

Sounds like they've messed up and the geotextile should be below the sub base, and they should have compacted it before and after laying the gravel.

If you specified it that way and they havent done it as specified then it's at their cost to put it right

Gi

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:48 pm**

picture tells a thousand words so heres 18000 lol

excavated and terram geotextile laid,

we used 50mm boards as easier to shape to tight curves so laid 100mm of mot type 1 first then fixed edging ontop of the subbase.

laying out the edgers

putting a bit of bend into the boards

edgers pegged and haunced with concrete

bending the boards

topping up subbase to allow for gravel so not to much board showing

all ready for the gravel

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 7:53 pm**

mot consolidated

compacting gravel

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:14 pm**

nice work, very neat and tidy

Posted: **Fri Feb 11, 2011 11:09 pm**

Lovely looking job - what's the timber frame building at end of drive? - garage, but with dormers? - it's huge? - never get planning for that round here - too scared you might want to turn it into a house one day.....

Posted: **Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:48 am**

Gravel and kids? Not a good match, plus it will get full of cat shite etc. I would just take out the membrane and see how it stands up to time.

Posted: **Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:25 am**

Thanks everyone for the advice and info, those pictures are fantastic! The membrane is coming up towards the end of this week so will see how that helps. I did advise the school on several occasions that gravel would not be the most suitable option, but the teachers were adamant so I had to go with it.

The Brew Cabin

Gravel pathway