How to border concrete and prevent erosion

[ChrisC87]

 

Hi all,

I’m looking to remove my existing retaining wall and undertake some excavation work in the raised garden bed to get the earth to ground level (just below the exposed aggregate pictured). 

I’ll be looking to drive across this area with a camper trailer (to park for storage) and are therefore concerned with how I minimize any erosion of the existing exposed aggregate concrete. I was thinking of paving the area in which the camper trailer would be parked but not sure whether I should first have a retainer of some sorts between the concrete and pavers? Given the finish and curved nature of the exposed aggregate I’m not entirely sure what I could use as a retainer/ buffer to prevent erosion. 

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. 

 

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @ChrisC87 

Happy New Year wow  nice  big project to kick the year of.

I am hearing  you  re erosion.  Lets put a coupe of ideas into the hat and see what you think

I think you should paver under the trailer parking  spot  as it is easier to push trailer manually or with a car. Also  the water will run off  pavers to the drive way and no erosion .  To  do this as it is a curve  driveway might need  the minimal bit of concrete  between the curved drive way and the pavers.

The drive way itself shouldnt erode.

Those  retaining blocks   if I remenber  right are tectured one side and smooth on the  other maybe you can repurpose them  as your pavers smooth side up? save money on buying other pavers.   

After your lay your pavers and fill the gap s with cement you could  repaint the new cement and pavers a unifform  color,

Are we on the same  page?  feel free talk more This is just and idea swap

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @ChrisC87. It's great to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about boardering aggregate.

A practical solution would be to install a concrete curb about 100mm out from the edge of the aggregate. This curb would act as a sturdy barrier, preventing the weight of the wheels from damaging the edge of the aggregate area.

The pavers you intend to lay can then be abutted against this curb for a seamless transition. It's essential to ensure that the pavers are bedded onto a solid, compacted base. If you decide to abutt the pavers to the aggregate and they are not adequately supported and sink below the level of the aggregate, the trailer's wheels could drop off the edge, potentially damaging both the pavers and the aggregate.

By adding a solid concrete edging, you can mitigate this risk. This setup will provide both structural integrity and an aesthetic border between the aggregate and the pavers, ensuring long-term durability. Regular maintenance of the area, such as checking for settling or shifting of the pavers, can further prevent erosion and damage.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[ChrisC87]

Thanks. Yes a concrete barrier between the aggregate and pavers sounds like it might be the way to go. 

I’m looking to re-use the retaining blocks elsewhere but I like your thinking from a budgeting perspective! 

[ChrisC87]

Thanks @MitchellMc. That was what I was originally thinking but wasn’t 100% sure. Do you think I would need to raise the 100mm concrete edging slightly above the existing height of the exposed aggregate? 

how well does new concrete bond/adhere to existing concrete? 

[MitchellMc]

You could raise it slightly to account for any subsiding @ChrisC87, though compacting the area first is key. New concrete doesn't bond particularly well to old unless you install lengths of reobar for it to grip onto. This can be done by drilling into the old concrete and glueing in reo with chemical adhesive. Adding Bondcrete to the new concrete mix and painting it on the old concrete can assist, too.

Mitchell