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How to lay stepping pavers and pebbles over concrete?

Hi, I’m wanting to lay rectangular limestone pavers on top of existing concrete down the side of my house, with pebble stones in between and down the sides.
firstly, can I do rhiis? Are there any issues, I’m thinking of drainage? Any advice is appreciated.

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Comments

EricL

Hello @Ros2

Generally speaking, it would be possible to put a sand base over the concrete and place the pavers over it. The pebbles can then be placed around the pavers. My main concern is that the pavers are technically on a very thin sand medium which means that movement will be very likely. Your second picture shows that your bins are in that area as well, these will not interact well with the pavers as they will tend to push them out of position. You would probably need to move the bins to another location.

Your worry about drainage is quite valid, but if the fall of the concrete path is correct it should drain away from the house. Plus, you have that very large drain at the end of your path. Aside from the pavers possibly moving the pavers can be put into position. This particular issue could be resolved by sticking the pavers to the concrete using adhesive and not using a sand base at all. Just keep in mind that should you wish to remove the pavers it will need to be hammered loose.

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

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Ros2

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/49165#Comment_49165

Hi Eric,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my questions. I like the idea of fixing the pavers to the concrete. Do you have any particular recommendation for the adhesive?
I’m having some internal house renovations done and I’ll get onto this task in a couple of months. I’ll send through some ‘after’ photos!

Ros.

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/86672#Comment_86672

Hi @Ros2,

To stick the pavers to the concrete you can use mortar like you would with bricks.

The pavers would then help to retain the pebbles in between them.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Ros2

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/108740#Comment_108740

Perfect. Thanks Jacob.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/121677#Comment_121677

I wonder whether paving paint might be a better solution for refreshing your sideway @Ros2. It looks like at least some of the concrete has previously been painted.

Jason

Ros2

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/129833#Comment_129833

True, it does seem some have been painted previously. However, I like the pavers and pebbles look so I’ll probably go with that. There is a raised concrete area near the bins so I think I might use paving paint in that area. 👍🏼

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134966#Comment_134966

Good Evening @Ros2

Late to the party 🙂 But I had the same thought in my mind as @EricL and @JacobZ

Maybe test out one paver with some mortar and see how solid it feels. If it dosnt want to move then why not 🙂

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @Ros2

Lay the stepping pavers on a cement/mortar base will secure them in place. The fact your filling the around the path in pebbles, should allow the water to drain through to the existing concrete path and flow in the same current direction as it is doing now. So, you just need to ensure that drainage if not already installed will need to be at the lowest end of the path.

Nailbag

Jewelleryrescue

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/49198#Comment_49198

Hi @Ros2

You can always use an in expensive tile glue for the pavers. it has a little movement as a bonus whereas mortar can crack loose especially on a previously painter cement surface as opposed to a raw concrete surface.

Gluing the pavers to the path will give a shallower area around them to fill with pebbles so it is a good solution keeping costs down.

If a Mortared paver lifts up no problem just clean the paver and path and glue it down with outdoor liquid nails.

Apple_Blaq

I hope this does'nt come too late but I'm concerned you will block your weepholes if you do anything above the current level of the path. The weepholes already look like they have been slightly encroached on by the concrete path being too high. The last thing you want to ddo is prevent water exiting weepholes. You can imagine the consequences if water can directly enter the weepholes due to the new heights of pebbles and pavers. I would actually first ensure there is clear space and drainage away from the weepholes. This may involve removing sections of the concrete path especially towards the front sunny part of the building in the photo where the weephole appears to be partially below the concrete path. Tree roots from the established trees alongside will cause further lifting and shifting so you should factor that in should you decide on paving in future.

Apple_Blaq

Screenshot_20250702_213524_Samsung Internet.jpg

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/54101#Comment_54101

Hello @Apple_Blaq

Let me tag @Ros2 to make them aware of your recommendations.

Eric

Ros2

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/54101#Comment_54101

Thanks Apple Blaq.
I appreciate all the advice I can get. I haven’t started this project yet as I’m waiting on a small Reno job first.
I’ll have a good look at the weep holes and may need to dig up a bit of concrete as you suggest. Thanks again. Ros

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