Weed protector that's reliably porous

[chatlow]

Hi,

I'm about to remove a few inches of grass and soil outside the front of my house, and add some stones, so we can walk on it alonside the drive.

The dilemma I have is that there's a slope towards the house and I really want to try and prevent as much water running towards it as possible. I know some will, as it already does. I wanted to use some weed protector on top of some MOT (and below the stones) but all the weed protectors I have used in the past seem to collect and pool water a lot. Which might turn into a slide of sorts.

I won't touch the heavy duty stuff but even the material protector still pools and I think only allows through once enough has gathered , on it, perhaps

Are there any recommendations for my situation?

thanks

 

[Odds]

how large is the area and the degree of slope on it?

 

[chatlow]

not very big. it will be a curved section - 3m at widest section, 2m at narrowest. Probably 5-6m in length. Slope i'm not too sure. Nothing dramatic, no more than 10 degrees

 

[Odds]

Why dig up the grass in that case?
I see loads of little patches dug up with stones scattered all over the place after a few weeks of wear.

 

[chatlow]

because we are also lowering some rather large drains in that section and want to cover them over with stones that be brushed to the side if an inspection is ever needed - which it hasn't ever. Plus my hope is that water will drain a bit faster at the top of the slope if stones/mot are there put down, rather than travel towards the front of house. The second reason is a nice to have, drain work is the main reason.

We're also digging up 2ft width of grass and soil across the front of the house. Mainly for aesthetics, but also to help water drain away from foundations.

 

[chatlow]

But getting back to main point of the thread - are there any weed membrane alternatives that would be more porous?

 

[Odds]

more porous than what? Grass?
If you intend to put stones down, rather than slate, you'll need a relatively thick membrane or the stone will wear right through it.
'Apollo' does a relatively good membrane. I'd start there...

 

[Deluks]

Simple answer, use whatever weed membrane and if it doesn't let enough water through, just punch holes in it with a fork.
Then just accept that you'll still have a little bit of weeding to do. Tbh I've never seen a completely weed free membrane/stones solution. Certain weeds will happily grow above the membrane in between the stones.

 

[Deluks]

Or use a coregrid type solution. Some have the membrane already attached underneath. The holes in the grid may just be enough to hold back the water while it seeps it's way through the fabric.

 

[Odds]

Simple answer, use whatever weed membrane and if it doesn't let enough water through, just punch holes in it with a fork.
Then just accept that you'll still have a little bit of weeding to do. Tbh I've never seen a completely weed free membrane/stones solution. Certain weeds will happily grow above the membrane in between the stones.

One man's weed is another man's herb.

Lao Tsu said it, i believe it.

 

[chatlow]

Maybe I've been super lucky with the thin fabric i used down the side of the house (which doesnt have a gradient). Zero weeds in over a year, but now I've jinxed it.

 

[Deluks]

One man's weed is another man's herb.

Lao Tsu said it, i believe it.

I wonder what he was smoking.

 

[Odds]

I wonder what he was smoking.

marshmallow, maybe. Some folk treat it like a weed but it's a medicinal herb with many beneficial uses...including smoking.

 

[stevie888]

Type 1 will be pretty impermeable: you'd do better with a no fines material if you're worried about ponding