Covering up uneven messy concrete slabs with Gravel Grids | Leveling Help

[kavehh]

Hello everyone,

I'm having a meltdown deciding what to do to improve the look of my garden without breaking the bank.

My question is can I cover this area of my garden by laying down gravel grids and fill it up?

Few notes:

* I don't have a good access so ideally want to avoid redoing it from scratch by removing the slabs and laying crushed concrete etc....

*I can't deck the area without getting a planning permissions!

*I'm aware of the manholes and accessing them won't be an issue with bit of gravel on top

* I'm not sure where the DPC is, since the flat is rendered but I assume it's further up.

*I haven't had any drainage issue so doubt I'll need to create drainage.

My questions:

1. What would be best way to level the surface? Would it be better if I lift off the slabs, level them with the crushed concrete or sand and put them back in? what would you suggest as leveling material?
2. Can I level the surface pouring crushed concrete or maybe sand on top then put a membrane and the grid and gravel on top? Will rain possibly wash them and make the surface en even after a while?

Thank you ever so much

 

[Why Not Indeed]

what to do to improve the look of my garden without breaking the bank

Start by jet washing it and then live with it for a bit.

I'm not sure where the DPC is, since the flat is rendered but I assume it's further up.

Rendering shouldn't bridge the DPC

 

[kavehh]

Start by jet washing it and then live with it for a bit.



Rendering shouldn't bridge the DPC

Why would you waste your energy replying if you have no intention to contribute and help ?

is that just to get your number of replies up ?

 

[Odds]

I'm afraid you can't improve the look of your yard without cracking open the piggy bank: a porcelain; granite or slate surface will be the best option to maintain. Gravel will be crunchy to use and messy. If you intend taking the slabs up to relay then i suggest you do so with a slight slant away from the fence and house to incorporate a rain-drain down the middle. That'll help keep moisture away from the wall and keep the surface stable.
I see this sort of job a lot and folk usually ask if they can do it on the cheap. Well, you get the job you pay for, no more or less.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Why would you waste your energy replying if you have no intention to contribute and help ?

is that just to get your number of replies up ?

You appear not to be able to comprehend my post, and then immediately decide I must have some ulterior motive? Says more about you than me, I think. I'm out.

And I am going to be very sore if it turns out everybody else has been getting prizes for their "number of replies"!

 

[aveatry]

Start by jet washing it and then live with it for a bit.
Rendering shouldn't bridge the DPC

The bit about the rendering is a good point
I would just jet wash, you will be amazed how it will look once you have jet washed it, get a karcher with the turbo lance it will be a good investment as by the look of it you will need to do it every year as it seems to be in a shaded area.
Then just sort out the black slabs at the doorway take them up and replace with grey ones that are a better fit. Maybe cut the concrete in a straight line from the furthest end of the manhole cover in line with the slab on the left and lay new slabs there and that will tidy it up.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

What a peculiar response from the OP, I would agree that to start with, pressure wash the paving, brick wall at the end and clean the fence/wall or repaint, it would already transform it, at least then you have a proper clean slate and go from there.

 

[HayMaker]

Artificial grass if you just want to cover it up. It drains well but obviously the cheap stuff won't last forever, and if there are any significant dips or raised edges you'll feel it. Temu and the like have some cheap stuff, we've had it covering a patch of wasteland that we CBA to re-do yet.

 

[Odds]

You appear not to be able to comprehend my post, and then immediately decide I must have some ulterior motive? Says more about you than me, I think. I'm out.

And I am going to be very sore if it turns out everybody else has been getting prizes for their "number of replies"!

I got a set of spanners and a cuddly toy last month.