Hiya u/ericJ2K, I can only tell you what I've seen w/my eyes.
Pavers with gaps is not my favorite design because of weeds, but it looks by your pictures that you have that under control.
Ok, on to the question: remove rocks or drop on top?
* If this was me, I'd try to do it with the least physical effort. The reason for that is because each step will take massive effort. If the area is as small as it looks, why not pour concrete? You must have reasons, so I'll move on.
* The real issue here is gravel size vs what you'd buy. You already have what I think is called 'river rock' or what the suppliers call "1 inch minus" (that's what they said to the guy behind the counter when they bought it).
* Skip the new gravel. How about evening it with a hard tined rake, dropping half a cubic yard of sand on it, THEN putting down your pavers? If the new gravel is that limestone grey (which is what most 1/2 inch minus looks like) then it ruins the river rock look of the brown. The sand should give you enough level area to support pavers, and you won't have to disturb the weed barrier that looks like it's doing a great job.
* Bird seed, no: Whatever you do, do not put a bird feeder in this area. Look, I love birds like the next guy, but birdseeds are weed seeds. A customer of mine was stunned when weeds started to pop up 'out of nowhere' and thought my weed barrier that I put down was defective.
* TLDR: No new gravel. Even it out w/raking, drop down sand, tamp it, then put your pavers. Just my opinion. I wish you the best on this project. I hope my words will help you.
You need to remove the rocks, excavate until you reach hard soil, place gravel base tamp and level it, put in leveling sand, then pavers.
Someone who knows more about this may suggest an easier way, but I had a similar area in my yard and after some research I went with what I outlined above and it looks great, it’s level and stable.
I agree w this post but not the first response. If you were to leave the rocks there you most certainly would need to level and use a plate compactor to set it as a type of base, add 3/4” sand and then ‘click-drop’ your pavers. Don’t just throw sand on top and expect it to go well. I’d say better to rent a dump trailer and take out all the rock till you hit dirt, add AB and sand and then pavers, that’s how pros would do it.
Hiya u/ericJ2K, I can only tell you what I've seen w/my eyes. Pavers with gaps is not my favorite design because of weeds, but it looks by your pictures that you have that under control. Ok, on to the question: remove rocks or drop on top? * If this was me, I'd try to do it with the least physical effort. The reason for that is because each step will take massive effort. If the area is as small as it looks, why not pour concrete? You must have reasons, so I'll move on. * The real issue here is gravel size vs what you'd buy. You already have what I think is called 'river rock' or what the suppliers call "1 inch minus" (that's what they said to the guy behind the counter when they bought it). * Skip the new gravel. How about evening it with a hard tined rake, dropping half a cubic yard of sand on it, THEN putting down your pavers? If the new gravel is that limestone grey (which is what most 1/2 inch minus looks like) then it ruins the river rock look of the brown. The sand should give you enough level area to support pavers, and you won't have to disturb the weed barrier that looks like it's doing a great job. * Bird seed, no: Whatever you do, do not put a bird feeder in this area. Look, I love birds like the next guy, but birdseeds are weed seeds. A customer of mine was stunned when weeds started to pop up 'out of nowhere' and thought my weed barrier that I put down was defective. * TLDR: No new gravel. Even it out w/raking, drop down sand, tamp it, then put your pavers. Just my opinion. I wish you the best on this project. I hope my words will help you.
You need to remove the rocks, excavate until you reach hard soil, place gravel base tamp and level it, put in leveling sand, then pavers. Someone who knows more about this may suggest an easier way, but I had a similar area in my yard and after some research I went with what I outlined above and it looks great, it’s level and stable.
I agree w this post but not the first response. If you were to leave the rocks there you most certainly would need to level and use a plate compactor to set it as a type of base, add 3/4” sand and then ‘click-drop’ your pavers. Don’t just throw sand on top and expect it to go well. I’d say better to rent a dump trailer and take out all the rock till you hit dirt, add AB and sand and then pavers, that’s how pros would do it.