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renovate an old brick path

barknott77barknott77 Posts: 2
in Problem solving
we have a very long path about 300 ft on both sides of the garden, all uneven and weeds all over. Under the bricks there is old broken up tarmac, impossible to dig down.How can we renovate this.Does it all need removing and starting again ?

Posts

  • Pauline 7Pauline 7 Posts: 2,246
    Bump
    West Yorkshire
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think you will need to remove it and start again @barknott77 . 
    How are the bricks set into the ground - are they mortared in or just laid on the tarmac and with sand or similar? Is the tarmac set into anything or just loose?
    Have you got a photo of the site, or at least - a part of the path showing what's under it etc? That will also help.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • barknott77barknott77 Posts: 2
    Thank you for the advice.There is no mortar, just old bits of tarmac and rubble and cant see any sand either.What we have is a big Victorian walled garden almost derilict. Left untouched for years so we have to start somewhere! if we do the path, at least we can get to the end.Very concerned about the wildlife so no spraying.Full of trees, even our own huge giant redwood! A big task ahead.
                          Thanks again
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Is that where you want the paths to be barknott77? If not then it might be easier to make paths within your new scheme but still use the old bricks. New paths might sound daunting but relaying the old path might be an awesome task.  
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    That's a great idea @Uff, ergonomically sound.
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Can you add a photo? I would have thought the easiest thing would be to relay the bricks where they were originally, making use of the tarmac as a sub-base. If you lay them on sand you will need some sort of edging, otherwise the sand will wash out and you'll be left with loose bricks again - as I suspect has already happened. You can have a wooden edging or perhaps a row of bricks to either side of the path that are fully mortared in.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree with @Loxley. Old weathered bricks look lovely if they're not too badly damaged.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I asked for photos earlier [I always do in this sort of situation  ;) ] because without any further info it's very difficult to give suitable advice or suggestions of any kind.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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