Sidewalk Question

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here

thewoodlands

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Aug 25, 2009
17,401
In The Woods
Since our water line runs from the well under what we call a sidewalk coming to the front porch, we just have some stone set in some pea gravel. It's not very good anymore so I'll be taking out the stone and pea gravel and would like to replace it with something that packs down pretty good and won't track in the house if that's possible.

I usually use the snowblower and the tractor when clearing it in the winter, any ideas what would work the best for the sidewalk?
 
  • Like
Reactions: PA Mountain Man
Does water have to drain through it between the flat stones? If not, crusher run which is the fines from crushing stone packs like cement after wetting and walking on. It is the cheapest product at any quarry. They mix loose stone with it to pack and support weight. You don’t want mixed called “modified“ with crusher run. You want just crusher run. May be called different things in other areas. In PA, you can specify b for loose stone, such as 2b; a for mixed, such as 2a, and “state” certified which is mixed well with crusher run for road shoulders for a consistent product.
 
Thanks for the replies, I'll post pics if or when it happens.

Thanks
Mike
 
The wife was asking about this project while we were on the front porch today, I'll do it this year but it will be after we have a new roof (shingles) put on. The contractor should be giving us a date when they'll do the roof in the next couple of weeks.
 
Does water have to drain through it between the flat stones? If not, crusher run which is the fines from crushing stone packs like cement after wetting and walking on. It is the cheapest product at any quarry. They mix loose stone with it to pack and support weight. You don’t want mixed called “modified“ with crusher run. You want just crusher run. May be called different things in other areas. In PA, you can specify b for loose stone, such as 2b; a for mixed, such as 2a, and “state” certified which is mixed well with crusher run for road shoulders for a consistent product.
I think the crusher run will be fine, it has a nice drop from top to bottom so the water should run off fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PA Mountain Man
Yep those asphalt millings make great walks and such. The summer sun and heat tend to cause it to bind together
 
Just lay a 4" capped piece of pipe under a new sidewalk in case you need to replace the water line at some future date. Even if you use something other than concrete, a capped pipe laid now will prevent the need to destroy the walk way if the water line requires replacement.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EbS-P