[GD]

Hi,

I'm laying some 100g/m2 phormisol with gravel over the top.  Do I need to stake/pin down the membrane or can I lay the gravel straight on it and let that hold it down?

Also for a small section I'm laying some random slabs/large stones.  Will they sit happily on the membrane and should I sit them in the gravel or sand?

THanks
Dan

[bazh]

Hi Dan

No unless your going to be driving on to it as the gravel will shift the membrane with the movement of driving on/off if your only going to be walking on it then it won't need pinning.

Personally I'd prefer to lay the slabs on a sand/cement mix.

[sunshineband]

I agree that you can get away without pinning the weed suppressant if you are going to use it as a footpath. Our paths have chipped bark, not gravel, but the same principle

We do also have some slabs laid directly onto membrane, which stops the weeds from coming up bewteen them ,and it is fine for walking on.

You do have to be careful not to shift the slabs about though or they can catch in the fabric and tear it.

[Trillium]

I have a pea gravel footpath and I pinned my membrane down. You can tell the one area I didn't pin it down - the membrane has been wedged up by gravel movement. 

In otherwords, YES, pin it all down or you'll be redoing it as I must on that one dratted section.

Only time I wouldn't bother pinning is if the top layer is packed down hoggin or something.

[bazh]

There you go Dan 2 different opinions Trilliums has moved mine hasn't, mines been down a couple years could be the amount of gravel put on top not sure. Mines mixed 10 & 20 mm  could be the extra weight?

[Trillium]

Not sure what size my gravel is, just called pea gravel (for that reason). This year I'm bringing in a load of gravel dust to set over the loose stuff then will rent a mechanical pounder so it all sets in place. Its really hard to walk on in its current state.