How to concrete or pave over stormwater pipe?

approachmhn

Hi,

I am planning to lay concrete or brick pavers between my driveway and fence in front yard to extend my driveway.

the issue is there is a storm water pipe 50-60 cm below exactly between the sandy area.

if I pave that area, will parking car or any vehicle will affect storm water pipe?

please suggest

thanks

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Comments

EricL

Hello @approachmhn

Thank you very much for sharing your question about paving your pathway. Just to be on the safe side I would not risk it, even when paved the typical weight of a standard 4 door vehicle can go from 1.5 to 2 tons or even more if you have an SUV. Even when buried half a meter deep there is still the possibility that the weight of the car will crush the storm water pipe. If you are truly keen to use that section as parking, I suggest relocating the storm water pipe away from the driveway.

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 @approachmhn

The depth of your stormwater pipe is fairly deep. If you were to first have a compacted layer of road-base, followed by packing sand to lay the pavers on, I would expect the weight distribution would be more than adequate to accomodate a domestic sedan.

Nailbag

approachmhn

Thanks @EricL @Nailbag

in that case, what is the better option other than pavers?

I am fine with any maintenance free landscaping. Paving is one of the option I thought of.

i don’t want any plants there.

please suggest with any references.

Nailbag

Hi @approachmhn

you could go a number of options from crushed rock (road-base) type products to small stone/pebble all available in different colours.

Nailbag

approachmhn

Thanks Nailbag.

how about just laying some grass so mowing is the only maintenance.

does grass seeding work at this time of the year in Melbourne?

EricL

Hello @approachmhn

I believe Nailbag has given you the possible options for your pathway. Will grass work on the pathway? If the soil is prepared properly then yes, the turf can work properly. But if you are driving over the grass every day and using it as a parking spot that area will turn muddy and will kill the lawn. Since we are heading towards winter, I don't recommend seeding the area. I suggest waiting for spring to plant your lawn.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

approachmhn

Thank you @EricL .

i don’t want to risk storm water pipes. They were laid just last year replacing clay pipes due to root damage. So paving that area is now ruled out after analysing your suggestions.

we are planning to move and rent out this property. I don’t want to plant any thing there.

so better option is to do something that doesn’t allow to park vehicles.

I hope people don’t park on lawns. Not sure though.
if you can suggest any other options, that will help.

Dave-1

Good morning @approachmhn

If it was for you and your place I would suggest to concrete it with your concerns about the pipe. The Stormwater pipes made today are much stronger then ones 30 years ago and 500mm -600mm is a good distance. Concrete with reo and that issue wont turn up unless you need access to the pipes 😕

I would put in a raised garden bed with timber sleepers for the edge as a work around while renting. Install some hardy shrubs in the garden bed and mulch deeply. That way No tennants will be able to park on it. Problem solved.

Dave

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52790#Comment_52790

Hi all, just a heads-up that we have moved this discussion to its own thread so it is easier for others to follow and find in future.

All the best,

Jason

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/52790#Comment_52790

Thank you @Dave-1 .

that’s a good suggestion.

with a raised bed and hardy shrubs, the roots won’t go down deep as well.

This area is 19 m long.
I haven’t seen that long garden bed 😄 but I believe with variety of shrubs, it will look better.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/88577#Comment_88577

Hello @approachmhn

I was thinking about Dave-1's suggestion and even if you did a single sleeper level it would be enough to let people know that you're not suppose to park there.

Eric

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109970#Comment_109970

Thanks @EricL .

this is the best and easy suggestion.

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/109970#Comment_109970

Hi @EricL @Dave-1

I already got nearly 0.75 to 1m cube river pebbles leftover from agi drain project.

just thinking if I can plant some succulents and use these pebbles to cover the ground with weed mat under.

is this good idea?

are succulents invasive I.e deep rooted.
Thanks.

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122346#Comment_122346

Good Evening @approachmhn

Yes that would work and succulents generally have shallow roots. The length you mentioned before is 19m but think its meant to be 1.9m 🙂 That would be fine for the pebbles at around 50mm depth (the thicker the pebble mulch the less weeds) Generally I would think succulents are not an invasive weed but it may be an idea to check at the nusery to see if they are for your area.

Dave

approachmhn

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130297#Comment_130297

Thanks @Dave-1 .

sure. I will check at my local bunnings and see which ones suit.

I promise it is 19m 😄

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135242#Comment_135242

Hi @approachmhn,

As @Dave-1 mentioned, most succulents are non-invasive, though some larger varieties can have reasonably extensive roots.

Mitchell

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