I am thinking of replacing the concrete patio blocks (50 cm x 50 cm) with just plain, washed, medium sized river rocks but I’m concerned that, even with appropriate grading, it may not provide proper drainage.
Does anyone have any advice? Is there a special technique when placing river rocks that will assure proper drainage?
Thanks, Maria
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From what I have seen, river rocks are somewhat round. Wound not be very comfortable to walk on, or easy to live with.
not be very comfortable to walk on, or easy to live with
Which depends on the sizes used and the placement.
I know of some paths made up of 1-2" sized graded "river washed," that are set on a gravel subgrade with a drainage bed below that. It's a realtively nice path, uncomplicated with frost or high rainfall problems, too.
At the same time, I know of some situations with concrete-grade water washed (like 3/8 to 3/4") that are about miserable to walk on, live with, or even look at, too. It's all in the application and the subgrade.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Is there a special technique when placing river rocks that will assure proper drainage?
It will require the same sorts of drainage that any other non-continuous paver will. Which may sound a tad self-evident.
What size "river rocks" are these? Is this "river washed" random aggregate in the 1-3" size? Or are these actual "cobble" sized stones?