How to utilise pavers for filling the empty space?

[mmw08]

Hi,

I have this space which is not being utilised at the moment, due to which there is a weed growth, which I have to clear once in 2 months, I would like to utilise this space to put my fruiting and flowering plants which are currently kept somewhere else. I want to cover the space first with weed mats and then lay sand on top of that and then use pavers to cover the space and then put the pots which will free up other space.

I am looking for ideas which could be enomical feasible and don't want to do concreting. Appreciate if someone in the group have had similar project and would like to get some guidance on how this can be achieved.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @mmw08,

Thank you for your question about paving an area beside your property to prevent weed growth and beautify the space.

To start, you might like to check out our Top 10 most popular side yard projects for some inspiration on what others have done.

Drainage considerations are the place to start. If there is pooling in the area during large rain events, consider adding subsurface drainage to help move the water where you'd like it to go. Check out How to install garden drainage for some guidance.

If you look along the horizontal mortar lines close to the ground, you should be able to see a line of black plastic like this Plascourse. This is called a dampproof course and it prevents water from rising from the ground up through the bricks which will cause issues over time. The top face of your pavers should not sit higher than the dampproof course in your brick wall, so some excavation is likely required.

You'll need room for 50-100mm of compacted road base, around 50mm of sand or mortar and then the thickness of your pavers. Add the thickness of your materials together to determine how far you need to excavate below the line of your dampproof course. 

Once excavated, instead of weed matting, I'd suggest using geotextile membrane as it will still suppress weeds but will allow water to drain more freely.

You can then put down your compacted road base, paving sand or mortar and then your pavers on top.

Check out How To Prepare And Lay a Base For Pavers and How To Lay Pavers for some guidance.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @diy_hausdesigns and @mich1972 to see if they have any advice or inspiration to offer.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @mmw08 

@JacobZ's suggestions are pretty much what id be suggesting. I do not that your bottom of the fence rail is only just above your lawn. Id also keep that in mind when sorting out the level of your pavers with the damp course of your house.

I have also scalped the lawn (remove the top 5cm of soil and grass) then layed my pavers directly on the clay surface (I have a LOT of clay) I used leftover 8mm gravel for the job. It works ok tho weeds do grow through my pavers of the path.

Side path rebuild from recyled pavers No weeds as the sun dosnt really reach this side of the house

Wiggly pavers for sloped path in front yard These were installed on scalped lawn back to hard earth. These do get weeds coming up through the gaps in the paving. It works as its not slippery and the whipper snipper keeps it down to a manageable level.

Dave

[mich1972]

Good morning @mmw08 Woooohooo !!! Can’t wait to see what you create in this space. Looks like rear access from front yard to backyard ? Jacob and Dave have given great advice for sure and I love the idea of using recycled pavers / bricks. They would definitely make a feature. Some large planters with your fruiting edibles will be fantastic. Good luck 😀😀

[mmw08]

Thanks for your the guidance!!

[mmw08]

Thanks for your the idea.

[mmw08]

Thanks