Gravel over concrete?

[GoddessKristie]

I have an area in the back of my house that has a bit of concrete in an L shape. The concrete is in bad shape, cracking and breaking up in areas.I would like to have a patio back there and I was thinking about a gravel patio. I like that Mediterranean look ( like this: http://st.houzz.com/simgs/37a11d440d...nean-patio.jpg ). However, I am wondering if I can just put the gravel right over the concrete instead of tearing it out.

I was thinking I should dig out the topsoil and put in 2" of hard pack, use steel edging and cover it all with gravel. Is this crazy? Is there anything I am not thinking of?

Thanks!

[DaleK]

As long as it'll drain you're fine. If it ponds up it'll be a mess

[Forcast]

thats a pea stone not really gravel. gravel is bigger and has shape edges and I think is hard to walk on.

[Harry Chickpea]

Pea stone can get caught in the cavities of any footwear with an aggressive tread. It then gets tracked into the house, where it can ruin floors. If you ever have to shovel snow off it, you will hate it.

[bonnie in indiana]

call a contractor and you will get free advice and a free estimate. As a retired contractor, putting stone, gravel, and pea gravel over concrete is not recommended. And pea gravel is the most hated thing in a homeowners yard.
Pea gravel is used around pipes and usually underground. It is not for walking on!

[GoddessKristie]

I agree that the photo looks like it has pea gravel in it. I hate pea gravel, so I would be using something not so squishy underfoot like decomposed granite or limestone.

Does the type of gravel I use make a difference?

[DEKE01]

The problem I hate most with any sort of gravel is that in a year or two, you will have stuff growing out of it. You'll have to spray with Roundup or pull lots of weeds by hand. It doesn't look like that photo for long.

What you might consider is concrete pavers over the concrete. Depending on how bad the concrete is, you might have issues getting it level. You'll still end up with grass/weeds in the cracks, but it is way easier to manage than gravel.

[rambler]

Originally Posted by DEKE01

The problem I hate most with any sort of gravel is that in a year or two, you will have stuff growing out of it. You'll have to spray with Roundup or pull lots of weeds by hand. It doesn't look like that photo for long.

What you might consider is concrete pavers over the concrete. Depending on how bad the concrete is, you might have issues getting it level. You'll still end up with grass/weeds in the cracks, but it is way easier to manage than gravel.

A couple inches of sand between the concrete and the pavers helps level things up and isolate the cracks in the concrete from showing in the pavers, and provides drainage.

Donno if I would like gravel for a patio.

Paul

[Alice In TX/MO]

If you mow anywhere near that area, you don't want gravel at all. It's asking for injury and broken windows.

[mnn2501]

Here's what I did a couple houses ago.
I built a frame and then after removing the grass and spraying liberally with Roundup I put concrete paver's about 4" apart with pea gravel in between.
Never did take any pics and sold the place shortly after this but it sure looked good while I was there.
Framing is important though so the pea gravel does not get in the grass.

[snowlady]

I work for a landscaper and pavers over concrete is asking for trouble. The concrete/cement breaks, cracks and settles then the pavers get uneven and wobbly.

[GoddessKristie]

What about quickcrete's walkmaker forms? Anyone use those? Would they work well over my concrete?