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How to build a river rock pathway?

I There

I am wanting to build a river rock pathway. I intend to remove the current dirt and prepare a bed of yellow packing sand. The river rocks will then be place on the packing sand and I will use a mortar to secure the river rocks in-place.

Does this sound like the correct approach. The river rocks will be dark and approx. 50-80 cm in size

Cheers

Bob

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Comments

EricL

Hello @Bobg

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building a river rock pathway.

I believe using a mortar base would be better than a sand base. As rainwater passes through the river rocks it will carry away the sand a little bit at a time and eventually the sand foundation will be washed away. This will then cause the river rocks to become unsteady and give way even with the mortar holding it together. But with a mortar base it will not get washed away and the rocks will stay in position. Plus, if you put a mortar surface cover and do a sponge surface wash it will hold the river rocks much better.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Bobg

by coincidence I just bought a lot of river rocks myself today for a job. Though much smaller in size. If the sound is fairly flat then your approach is spot on. But if on a slope, then cement base and mortar.

Nailbag

Dave-1

Good Evening @Bobg

They are very large river rocks and I do think that the sand will wear away from under them over time with rain. I am also thinking of weeds growing up through the sand so a weed mat of some kind first for sure.