DG on a path - just plain DG or with added stabilizer?

This topic has 1 reply, 5 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by Keven Graham.

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September 2, 2009 at 4:15 am #173054

Keven Graham
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It depends on the material but for the most part the installations we have used it in and they have varied including high traffic commercial applications, we have pretty much done nothing except put it down. We have in some situations had to put a fabric under neath to stabalize the soil. Decomposed granite is a very good path material and is generally pretty reliable.

September 2, 2009 at 2:16 pm #173053

Clayton Munson
Participant

It can be done either way. I think a lot of it will be based on the amount of foot traffic that it will get. usually using a 1/4″ minus granite. It can be done by just rolling/tamping it. Or there are many different types of liquid stabilizers out there. Your granite suppliers usually carry some form of it, or paver suppliers will often stock it as well. Soil-Loc Soil Shield LS is a common one. Basically you put down a layer of granite then spray the stabilizer on it, then another layer of granite and another coat of spray and repeat until you reach your desired thickness. Usually 2-3 layers will suffice for a pathway. Done properly it will last for years even with wet weather.

If you have a LAM laying around flip through it and you will find 3-4 different brands of stabilizer.

September 2, 2009 at 5:50 pm #173052

Bob Luther
Participant

I agree with the above mentioned methods, the factors that I have seen that require stabilizer are in areas of freeze/thaw (it may help), in areas of high rain (minimizes some repair work), in areas where there is high traffic (especially bikes or golf carts), and if it is a handicap access (check local regulations). otherwise plain DG is normally sufficient.

September 2, 2009 at 11:01 pm #173051

Baxter (Gene) Miller
Participant

With traffic (little feet) and the clay content of the DG you will have problems with all three of your concerns. We have spec’ed a little cement to be added to the DG as a binder. It lasts longer than the polymer based material. The City of Santa Maria, California has been using DG walks in all of there public parks with great success.

September 2, 2009 at 11:14 pm #173050

Naomi Sachs, ASLA, EDAC
Participant

Great stuff, thanks very much. What a great resource, this Land8Lounge. I think that for their purposes, plain DG will be just fine.
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