How to build a backyard pebble pathway?

[Sakthi]

My grass was dead and there were a bit of weed so I just put a weed mat on the top of it and considering do put some pebbles and pavers on the top as a pathway. 

Do I need to remove the dead grass and weed? and level the ground? or its fine as it is?

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Sakthi 

I would remove the deadgras/weeded area. Mostly because weeds will grow through no matter what and by removing the top part of the grass/soil it will lesson the chances of it growing. Also by removing the soil you will be creating a more level area with the yard (If you just placed the stones on top of the existing mat then there would be a rise for that whole area.

I would strongly suggest you have an edge between the grass and pebbles. Just to keep the stones in place more then filtering into the yard as they can be a pain when mowing. 

I can see a grill for a drain in the middle of the yard? Something to factor in waterwise and where it pools when leveling the ground for the pebbles and pavers.

Dave

[Sakthi]

Thanks Dave, I dint understand the drain part or pools - can you share more info on it?

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Sakthi 

So the drain I saw is circled in red. Is that a drain of some kind?

The green arrows is where the water runs towards the drain?

The question marks in green are for pooling water and factoring in drainage to somewhere (even to a shallow pond as part of the path it coud be)

The Circle in orange and the question mark is for a drain cover maybe? that I hadnt noticed earlier.

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @Sakthi 

Thanks for sharing your question about building a pebble pathway. It's great that you've received excellent advice from @Dave-1. I totally agree that the weeds and grass be removed so that you will have a flat surface to work with. Just to add to the suggestions made, I also recommend using Tuscan Path 75mm x 10m Black Garden Edging to prevent the pebbles from mixing into the lawn.

Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to lay a stepping stone pathway

Here are some fantastic path renovations our Workshop members have shared:

• Front path renovation using pavers and stones by @Remarka6le 
   
• Travertine pavers and gravel garden path by @TaylerMayd 
   
• Side yard paving and bike shelter by @weekenddiyer 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Sakthi]

So the drain I saw is circled in red. Is that a drain of some kind - Yes correct 

The green arrows is where the water runs towards the drain -  Yes correct 

The question marks in green are for pooling water and factoring in drainage to somewhere (even to a shallow pond as part of the path it coud be) - that area is a bit download slope so water can slide out towards the fence or can go into the red drain. 

The Circle in orange and the question mark is for a drain cover maybe - that's a stepping stone. 

[EricL]

Hello @Sakthi 

Let me tag @Dave-1 to make him aware of your answers. 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Thankyou @Sakthi 

The drain you have is something to keep in mind when thinking of your path. The round top in the middle of the lawn is a little odd (as in can clog easily) I would have expected a square larger grill. I would still remove the grass before the pebbels and pavers go in. I would potentially change over the top of the drain to something that can recieve more water during storms ect and wont clog up. Maybe even have it a little lower in the lawn to guarentee the water drains.

I dont like the idea of water running to the neighbours (they really shouldnt have to deal with water from outside their yard) so I would raise or install a drain to go back to teh other drain at that low point.

The last thing I would do is to make sure that that drian is a stormwater draina nd not a sewage breather hole (I suspect it is stormwater but the smallness of the drain is why I hesitate to say which it could be) To do so you could try poking down your stormwater pipes a hose (without the nosel) and seeing where it goes and how much hose you can push down the pipe. (It should also head towards the street gutter) otherwise a plumber will be able to sort out the piping.

Dave