Hey everyone! I've got several pathways around my house made from tumbled 1-inch gravel, which is relatively smooth but not perfect. A family member who uses a wheelchair is moving in, and I really don't want to remove all that gravel. Is there a way to spread something over it to create a flat and accessible surface? I came across Gravel-Lok, but it's way too pricey compared to just ripping everything up and going for concrete. The total area of the pathways is about 300 square feet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
8 Answers
If you go for crusher run or decomposed granite, build it up about 2-3 inches and compact it really well while wetting it down too. It locks together super tight and gives a great surface!
You might want to consider using stone dust. It's basically small crushed stone that can fill in the spaces between the gravel, helping to lock everything together. Just avoid regular sand since it won't pack well. For a 300 square foot area, you'll need about 1.5 to 2 yards of the stuff – that's roughly 6 tons if you're going for a 2-inch layer. Just rake it into the gravel and really tamp it down. Over time, this should settle nicely!
Getting a few estimates could be helpful. That way, you'll get a better idea of the terms, costs, and the size of the job. Plus, it could help you explore different materials and see if you want to tackle it yourself or hire someone.
A self-leveling concrete overlay could be ideal. It lets you keep the gravel while providing a smooth, wheelchair-friendly surface. Just clean and compact the gravel first, add edge restraints, and then apply an overlay. Proper prep is crucial to prevent cracks. Interlocking pavers over compacted gravel might work too without heavy digging.
I laid some 1x1 foot pavers directly on the gravel and filled the gaps with marble chips to beautify it. It creates a good path for my manual wheelchair. I planned to fill the gaps with polymeric sand, but honestly, it still works without it after a year, although powered chairs might need a more robust solution.
Using a layer of decomposed granite is another option. It compacts well and provides a flat surface.
Compact a layer of limestone screenings, which is basically crushed limestone mixed with dust - it compacts tightly. This should give you a solid base for your pathways. It's super versatile and can really help with leveling.
You could dig in some pavers or flat stones, spacing them out slightly and filling with gravel in between. Make sure they’re close enough together for good wheelchair traction!