We inherited a parking area that is made of large river rocks. I got
the bright idea of using a pressure washer to blast out the weeds and
grubby hard soil that was entrenched between the rocks.

I had been told by a friend that there was a type of 'sand/gravel'
that could be used between the rocks that would 'solidify' when
dampened and block any new weeds from coming through. Unfortunately,
I later found out that this type of sand is only for a paver type of
crack. The areas between these rocks are up to two inches.

My next thought was to use some kind of coarse sand to fill the
cracks. In my absence, hubby ordered river sand and spread it. Now we
have a problem in that we took out a bit too much with the power
washer and destabilized some of the rocks. The river sand does
nothing to solve this problem. I want to stabilize the area with
something that is easy to care for. There are a lot of leaves than
come down in this area and I would like to be able to use a leaf
blower. This, of course, would blow away the river sand.

Any thoughts on how I can stabilize the rocks while still showing off
their inherent beauty and yet still be able to use a leaf blower on?
The only thing I can think of was my original thought of a coarser
sand than what was put down, but I think I might still have a problem
with the leaf blower. What I need is sand glue...lol

Any help much appreciated...

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:17:34 -0700, Willi wrote:

We inherited a parking area that is made of large river rocks. I got
the bright idea of using a pressure washer to blast out the weeds and
grubby hard soil that was entrenched between the rocks.

I had been told by a friend that there was a type of 'sand/gravel'
that could be used between the rocks that would 'solidify' when
dampened and block any new weeds from coming through. Unfortunately,
I later found out that this type of sand is only for a paver type of
crack. The areas between these rocks are up to two inches.

My next thought was to use some kind of coarse sand to fill the
cracks. In my absence, hubby ordered river sand and spread it. Now we
have a problem in that we took out a bit too much with the power
washer and destabilized some of the rocks. The river sand does
nothing to solve this problem. I want to stabilize the area with
something that is easy to care for. There are a lot of leaves than
come down in this area and I would like to be able to use a leaf
blower. This, of course, would blow away the river sand.

Any thoughts on how I can stabilize the rocks while still showing off
their inherent beauty and yet still be able to use a leaf blower on?
The only thing I can think of was my original thought of a coarser
sand than what was put down, but I think I might still have a problem
with the leaf blower. What I need is sand glue...lol

Any help much appreciated...

I used type B2 slag in a river rock bed to make it walkable and somewhat
cleanable with a leaf blower. Two years and it has worked well. The only
problem, if you want to call it that, is some of the river rock has managed to
emerge from the surface.
__________________
Bill Waller
New Eagle, PA

Willi wrote:

I had been told by a friend that there was a type of 'sand/gravel'
that could be used between the rocks that would 'solidify' when
dampened and block any new weeds from coming through.

It doesn't block weeds unless it's 4" thick or more, but I think what you are
referring to is "crusher fines".

--
"Tell me what I should do, Annie."
"Stay. Here. Forever." - Life On Mars

I used type B2 slag in a river rock bed to make it walkable and somewhat
cleanable with a leaf blower. Two years and it has worked well. The only
problem, if you want to call it that, is some of the river rock has managed to
emerge from the surface.

I'm not sure what B2 slag is. Do you happen to have a link so that I
can see what it looks like? What type of business would one purchase
this from? I'm in central BC, Canada so I need a push as to what type
of companies to approach..

Thanks so much!

It doesn't block weeds unless it's 4" thick or more, but I think what you are
referring to is "crusher fines".

Thanks...do I get this at a concrete aggregates type of place?

On Aug 5, 7:17 am, Willi wrote:
We inherited a parking area that is made of large river rocks. I got
the bright idea of using a pressure washer to blast out the weeds and
grubby hard soil that was entrenched between the rocks.

I had been told by a friend that there was a type of 'sand/gravel'
that could be used between the rocks that would 'solidify' when
dampened and block any new weeds from coming through. Unfortunately,
I later found out that this type of sand is only for a paver type of
crack. The areas between these rocks are up to two inches.

My next thought was to use some kind of coarse sand to fill the
cracks. In my absence, hubby ordered river sand and spread it. Now we
have a problem in that we took out a bit too much with the power
washer and destabilized some of the rocks. The river sand does
nothing to solve this problem. I want to stabilize the area with
something that is easy to care for. There are a lot of leaves than
come down in this area and I would like to be able to use a leaf
blower. This, of course, would blow away the river sand.

Any thoughts on how I can stabilize the rocks while still showing off
their inherent beauty and yet still be able to use a leaf blower on?
The only thing I can think of was my original thought of a coarser
sand than what was put down, but I think I might still have a problem
with the leaf blower. What I need is sand glue...lol

Any help much appreciated...

3/4" road bed is useful; it's a coarse sharp sand with small coarse
rock in it used underneath roads. It packs very well and is pretty
stable. You might also try decomposed granite (also called stone
dust). It is small flakes of sharp rock which packs very hard,
especially after getting wet.

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 08:17:09 -0700, Willi wrote:


I used type B2 slag in a river rock bed to make it walkable and somewhat
cleanable with a leaf blower. Two years and it has worked well. The only
problem, if you want to call it that, is some of the river rock has managed to
emerge from the surface.

I'm not sure what B2 slag is. Do you happen to have a link so that I
can see what it looks like? What type of business would one purchase
this from? I'm in central BC, Canada so I need a push as to what type
of companies to approach..

Thanks so much!

B2 is a grade of crushed stone. It is coarser than pea gravel. The chunks are
somewhere around 3/4" to (maybe) 1 1/4".
__________________
Bill Waller
New Eagle, PA

On Aug 5, 6:17 am, Willi wrote:
We inherited a parking area that is made of large river rocks. I got
the bright idea of using a pressure washer to blast out the weeds and
grubby hard soil that was entrenched between the rocks.

I had been told by a friend that there was a type of 'sand/gravel'
that could be used between the rocks that would 'solidify' when
dampened and block any new weeds from coming through. Unfortunately,
I later found out that this type of sand is only for a paver type of
crack. The areas between these rocks are up to two inches.

My next thought was to use some kind of coarse sand to fill the
cracks. In my absence, hubby ordered river sand and spread it. Now we
have a problem in that we took out a bit too much with the power
washer and destabilized some of the rocks. The river sand does
nothing to solve this problem. I want to stabilize the area with
something that is easy to care for. There are a lot of leaves than
come down in this area and I would like to be able to use a leaf
blower. This, of course, would blow away the river sand.

Any thoughts on how I can stabilize the rocks while still showing off
their inherent beauty and yet still be able to use a leaf blower on?
The only thing I can think of was my original thought of a coarser
sand than what was put down, but I think I might still have a problem
with the leaf blower. What I need is sand glue...lol

Any help much appreciated...

In any area where there is a limestone quarry, fine crushed and
unwashed limestone can be had, which in our midwest area is referred
to as 'road pack'. After spreading it settles into a super firm layer
almost like concrete. Larger aggregate mixed with it then remains
fixed in place, making dandy driveways that rarely need much
maintenance. I have 500 feet of driveway around a commercial building
made this way which still looks great after 4 years. The limestone
people also supply what they call 'white rock' for driveways which is
an attractive alternative to plain gravel, concrete or asphalt. HTH

Joe

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:17:34 -0700, Willi wrote:

Any thoughts on how I can stabilize the rocks while still showing off
their inherent beauty and yet still be able to use a leaf blower on?

How about a few loads of smaller river rock? Freshen up what you have.
--
Oren

"If things get any worse, I'll have to ask you to stop helping me."