Gravel foundation boarder questions.

[ben2go]

My property slopes toward the mobile home on it.I am planning to build a reenforced concrete block retaining wall under the mobile home on the slope side.After I do the retaining wall,I am planning to install french drains on the outside of it.I will back fill with crush run.I'd like to top it off with a good fabric that will drain and allow me to top it with a decrotive stone.What fabric should I use to allow for good drainage and stop plant growth?The mobile home has gutter system that will be piped to twin cisterns.My main goal is to keep water out from under the mobile home and growth away from the underpinning.

 

[farmer2009]

I would wrap the pipe in a non-woven geotextial sometimes called a filter fabric. It's thick stops soil from mixing with rock(claimed) and let's water move through it. Wrap around the outside of the gravel bed. Also use the pipe with the sock on it.
As far as weed control. If it's all gravel keep the dirt and grass clippings out. Grass doesn't grow well without soil. May get sprouts but during summer they die. You can try another layer of fabric just below the decorative stone. Otherwise a little roundup goes along ways.

 

[KYDan]

If your soil is heavy (clay) you may want to consider using some composted soil (loam) instead of backfilling with the clay as it will not allow for quick absorption and you will get downhill runoff.

 

[dave1949]

Back fill with stone/gravel without fines in it. Sometimes called "washed gravel" and is used for french drains, foundation drains, leach fields, etc.

Crusher run sounds like something with lots of fines/dust in it. Not a good drainage material.

 

[ben2go]

I would wrap the pipe in a non-woven geotextial sometimes called a filter fabric. It's thick stops soil from mixing with rock(claimed) and let's water move through it. Wrap around the outside of the gravel bed. Also use the pipe with the sock on it.
As far as weed control. If it's all gravel keep the dirt and grass clippings out. Grass doesn't grow well without soil. May get sprouts but during summer they die. You can try another layer of fabric just below the decorative stone. Otherwise a little roundup goes along ways.

I have everything covered as far as below grade.My pref pipe will be pre-wrapped with mesh and the hole will be lined with geotex as well.I do plan to use a decrotive plastic edging or pavers to edge the area.I think I will invest in one of those gas blower/vacuum deals to help remove clippings.I will try to keep clipping out but the wind can be a cruel mistress. :laughing: The plan was to use some type of fabric over the crush run and before the decrotive stone is scoped in.I see so many types of landscape fabrics that claim to help eliminate growth,I'm not sure what to use.

If your soil is heavy (clay) you may want to consider using some composted soil (loam) instead of backfilling with the clay as it will not allow for quick absorption and you will get downhill runoff.

My back fill will be crush run.Our top soil has some clay in it,and about a foot down it turns to red clay.That stuff is just awful. :thumbdown: I'm going with crush run, because it will drain fast and get the water out quickly.I hope, before it starts to penetrate and get under the mobile home.

Back fill with stone/gravel without fines in it. Sometimes called "washed gravel" and is used for french drains, foundation drains, leach fields, etc.

Crusher run sounds like something with lots of fines/dust in it. Not a good drainage material.

The crush run we have is 3/4 to 1 inch granite.I know the guy that loads my truck.I can ask for stone from the side and not the bottom.We used the same crush run for septic systems when I worked with my uncle doing septic systems.I understand about fines clogging up the geotex.Washed stone is a good idea but I'm not sure if my local quarry has it.We get so much rain lately,it's all washed stoned. :laughing:



I have everything covered below grade.I just wanna keep growth out of my decrotive stone and keep things as easy and quick as possible for maintenance.This place is going to my youngest son in a few years and I will retire to my motorcycle travels.

 

[dmccarty]

I have all sorts of gravel that grows grass/weeds. Some is ABC gravel which does have fines but we have just gravel with no fines that grows grass/weeds. PITA. Round Up only sorta helps and I have tried to burn some of the weeds but they just laugh at the propane burner. The only thing that I think will kill the grass/weeds is a more persistent plant killer which I don't want to use because of trees...

Later,
Dan

 

[farmer2009]

I have everything covered below grade.I just wanna keep growth out of my decrotive stone and keep things as easy and quick as possible for maintenance.This place is going to my youngest son in a few years and I will retire to my motorcycle travels.

Stop by a nursury and ask what they use. Or talk to a pro landscaper. If you have gravel all the way down to the pipe then keeping soil from mixing with it is the key. Wouldn't recommend plastics as water can't penitrate and then any organic matter collects on top and eventually you get soil. 3-4 inches of the stone would also shade the ground enough to minimize weeds. But no way to be 100% on this.