Laying new gravel on top of old gravel

sam_mirfin

I am wanting to lay some new gravel/slate on top of some old pebbles. I have weeded as much as I can and will spray weedkiller before laying down a new high quality fabric sheet. Is this method OK? 

Loraine3

I would think that membrane on top of original chippings would move, better to take up chippings and either mix with new or remove and use all new. I have washed old chippings in a cement mixer and then mixed with new.

Busy-Lizzie

I think that would be OK so long as there is enough new gravel to cover the fabric properly and that the fabric lets the rain through.

Busy-Lizzie

I now see that Loraine has posted before me, wasn't there. The reason I thought it would be OK is because the builder who renovated a holiday cottage that we had a few years ago had done that in the front parking area and it was OK.

Fairygirl

I'd just put more gravel down. Why add to the work ? 

If you've weeded, there's nothing for weed killer to work on, so do one or the other 

Pete.8

I had a gravelled drive for many years.
Every few years I just put more on top of the old. So long as you're going to use the same type of gravel it'll look fine - mine did.
Eventually it got quite deep so it was a bit like wading over Brighton beach, but you could hear anyone approaching as soon as they started crunching over the gravel

sam_mirfin

Thanks all. I’m looking to lay 40mm slate on top. There will be no traffic, purely for decoration so hopefully it should be alright just laying it over the existing with a new fabric sheet

Lizzie27

@sam_mirfin You don't need to put down a new fabric sheet, just lay your slate chippings in a deep enough layer on top of the old gravel - it will be fine like the others say.

sam_mirfin

@Lizzie27 The old fabric is not in great condition, there are lots of weeds that have broken through. I suppose that would happen in time with a new layer anyway so you’re probably right

Lizzie27

Yes it does happen, weed fabric is not the magic answer everyone expects it to be. Just today I dug out a leaf mould bin to find that tree roots had actually penetrated a double layer of very expensive, top quality root proof barrier. I was not amused.
You will also find that annual weed seeds will get blown in with the wind and will self seed in your gravel/slate, however they are usually easily pulled out or a weedkiller can be used.

Gardens are never perfect and are never finished. You just have to learn to live with it.