If you are looking for a way to renovate and refresh your garden hardscape without spending a lot of money or using non-sustainable products, try recycling existing concrete structures and reuse the slabs for a fresh look that is also environmentally friendly.
Traditional concrete is non-porous so when it covers large areas, such as a driveway or patio, rainwater runs off the surface carrying pollutants into drainage systems. This flow of water puts unnecessary strain on the sewer system and may damage local eco-systems. You could resolve this issue by replacing traditional concrete or asphalt driveways with porous concrete or tiles, but that option may be expensive and you have the additional issue of disposing of the concrete slabs used in the existing driveway or sidewalk. One way around this dilemma is to remove the concrete driveway, sidewalk, or patio and reuse the concrete slabs as paving stones to create an attractive and eco-friendly surface.
Advantages of Using Broken Concrete Slabs to Build Patios and Paths
Using broken slabs produces a look similar to flagstones with gaps between odd-shaped stones. Grass or moss can be allowed to grow in the gaps between stones for more casual pathway or patio. The gaps between the pavers also allow water to drain more naturally and filter through the soil before draining into the sewer system. The filter removes pollutants and also reduces the amount of water that flows into drains.
Another advantage of using broken slabs is that removing the existing concrete structure is much easier if you aren't trying to keep the slabs intact. You are free to dig them up in the easiest way possible, such as using a jackhammer or bobcat. You can also use a heavy sledgehammer to break the pieces into sizes and shapes you can work with. Remember that a typical concrete slab is four inches thick.
Steps to Building a Path or Patio With Broken Concrete Slabs
Once the existing structure is removed and you have a supply of broken concrete slabs, you can start building your path or patio:
- Decide where you will build the path or patio, clear the area of debris and plants, and mark out the edges with stakes and lines.
- Dig out the soil within the stakes and lines so it is about one inch deeper than the thickness of the slabs. For typical concrete slabs, make the area about 5 inches deep.
- Flatten the soil with a tamper. If the path or patio is next to a house or building, create a slight grade away from the building so water drains away from the building.
- Pour one inch of leveling sand over the tamped soil and level the sand. To gauge the flatness of the sand, stretch a cord from one boundary to another ensuring that the cord is at the same height at both ends.
- Start laying the broken concrete slabs from the center and work outward fitting pieces together as you go. Leave as much gap between the pieces as necessary to achieve the look you want and to accommodate the size of the path or patio and the number of pieces you have available.
- Rinse sand or soil into the gaps between the pieces and add moss or other creeping plants, if desired.
Reusing existing concrete driveways, walkways, or patios to build eco-friendly garden paths and patios removes the harmful effects of non-porous areas in outdoor areas and also keeps those materials out of landfills. If you don't have any areas with concrete slabs that you can reuse, consider approaching a local builder or contractor. Since they normally have to pay to dump those materials in a landfill, they may be happy for you to take it off their hands for free.
Sharon Russell - Currently a freelance writer, Sharon has worked as a technical writer in the high tech industry for over 15 years. Prior to that, she ...
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