Weed/Dirt Erosion Control?

[karoc]

Looking at this pic, can see that my house has couple sides that ground slopes down about 3’. My overhang is 3’ wide, which I do plan on having gutters installed. Up to this point I have erosion and just lots weeds growing. What I like to do is smooth out the area filling in with dirt and pack it down. For weed control and to help keep dirt from washing away I like to put down good grade of weed, road fabric down that will last long long time. Over that fabric, come back put rock or stone down on top of fabric. I’m clueless on what kind of fabric, I’ve search under weed barrier, under driveway barrier, French drain etc. Watch some YouTube’s but still not sure what is good fabric to use that keep dirt from washing away(which it is) keep the weeds from growing through and that will support a layer or rock or stone on top. Any links, suggestions, or what has work for you.

 

[P0234]

With rocks, the fabric doesn't matter that much. Even without fabric, not many weeds will grow, at least where I live. I've used poly sheeting, cheap fabric and expensive landscaping fabric. The biggest difference is how durable the stuff is. As long as you have good drainage away from the foundation, I like straight poly sheeting, its cheap and weeds really don't grow on it. Also keeps water away from your foundation. The only con for me is if the dirt settles the wrong way, you'll have water going towards your foundation.

 

[Buckaroo5]

Here in Ohio, you definitely want to put down the fabric or poly before you put down the rocks. It really is a simple and not very costly step given you are doing all the rock. It will keep the weeds down for a very long time if the sun doesn't get to it - UV will break it down. I have seen expensive landscape jobs that folks decide to forego the cloth because they are trying to save a buck that look horrible after a year or two.

 

[txvwnut]

Landscape fabric or poly underlayment will only prevent weeds from growing up, it will do nothing for the airborne seeds that get deposited from the top. However it is much easier to pull them up as the roots can't get through the the underlayment to root into the ground. When it comes to landscape fabric the thicker the better and as stated do your best to make sure its fully covered to keep the uv rays at bay. I have some in my front yard that is over ten years old and hasn't broken down yet. I have some in the back that has a few pieces exposed to the direct sunlight and weather elements and still hasn't broken down and its right at four years old.

 

[Copymutt]

Never had long term luck w/ rocks or even gravel on top of a barrier. Wind blow dust & seeds take hold. Gets labor intensive in a couple years. Hate to use weed killer, but it has its place.

 

[Jacko264]

I would say the first thing is guttering to stop water
and the cheapest .
then I would use poly before stone/ rock

 

[duneslider]

I'm in the camp of not using fabric or poly under rocks. I have very little issue with weeds and haven't been using fabric. Make sure you're sloped away from the house and have enough rock coverage. I find you need 3-4 inches for good weed control. Nothing is 100% free of weeks but what does grow in my rocks is easy to take care of.

 

[P0234]

Landscape fabric or poly underlayment will only prevent weeds from growing up, it will do nothing for the airborne seeds that get deposited from the top. However it is much easier to pull them up as the roots can't get through the the underlayment to root into the ground. When it comes to landscape fabric the thicker the better and as stated do your best to make sure its fully covered to the uv rays at bay. I have some in my front yard that is over ten years old and hasn't broken down yet. I have some in the back that has a few pieced exposed to the direct sunlight and weather elements and still hasn't broken down and its right at four years old.

I'm sure there are a lot of regional differences, but right now I have an area of river rock, about 6" deep and nothing under it. Opposite that area I have about 4" sitting on poly. Each will get a weed or two here, maybe once a month. Without some sort of controlled experiment, I'd say they are equal in performance.

Compared to the mulch beds about 10 feet away, which get dozens of weeds in that same time period.

 

[ATC]

I'm in the camp of not using fabric or poly under rocks. I have very little issue with weeds and haven't been using fabric. Make sure you're sloped away from the house and have enough rock coverage. I find you need 3-4 inches for good weed control. Nothing is 100% free of weeks but what does grow in my rocks is easy to take care of.

Tell that to my gravel driveway!

I want to do the same around my house. Currently, it's vegetation/landscape beds around our house. I'd like to strip it all out and do rocks & gravel. A quick spray a couple times a year with weed killer should be easy enough. But I would use fabric under mine. If anything, to help keep it from sinking into the dirt over time.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Don't use poly, use a high quality geo fabric, you want the water to pass through. Also a good fabric prevents the rocks from being pushed into the subgrade and will give you a more stable surface. I will let you know what we use, have to look.

 

[P0234]

Don't use poly, use a high quality geo fabric, you want the water to pass through. Also a good fabric prevents the rocks from being pushed into the subgrade and will give you a more stable surface. I will let you know what we use, have to look.

Are you going to say why not use poly or are we just supposed to trust you, lol….

 

[karoc]

Don't use poly, use a high quality geo fabric, you want the water to pass through. Also a good fabric prevents the rocks from being pushed into the subgrade and will give you a more stable surface. I will let you know what we use, have to look.

If possible, brand name. This is something that I need to get right first time. I had to build up about 3’ of 60/40 dirt for slab. Which rain has wash away the softest dirt so I will have to fill in and pack down. Like to put that fabric on top then maybe something like river stone or rocks that stay in place

 

[Renegade1LI]

Here's a link and gives you some basic info, hope this helps, definitely use the woven fabric.

Woven Geotextile Fabric

How To Separate and Stabilize Utilizing Woven Geotextile Fabric The stabilization of soil is critical for roadways, railways, or load-bearing construction. Poor drainage along with various materials can cause structural damage causing the entire project to fail. Due to the increase in costs for...

www.paramountmaterials.com

 

[NUTTSGT]

River rock and for the airborne weed, just spray them once-twice a year.

How long till the build is finished and you can get grass planted ?

 

[manwithtools]

Don't use poly, use a high quality geo fabric, you want the water to pass through. Also a good fabric prevents the rocks from being pushed into the subgrade and will give you a more stable surface. I will let you know what we use, have to look.

Are you going to say why not use poly or are we just supposed to trust you, lol….

He told you why in the same sentence as he said not to use poly. See bold text above...

 

[Renegade1LI]

Here's some fabric I put down 25 years ago, still in good condition and no stone mitigation. Had to pull it back to add a dry well.

 

[Youngandfree]

Are you going to say why not use poly or are we just supposed to trust you, lol….

He said because the water won't pass through poly.

 

[Youngandfree]

Don't use poly, use a high quality geo fabric, you want the water to pass through. Also a good fabric prevents the rocks from being pushed into the subgrade and will give you a more stable surface. I will let you know what we use, have to look.

This is the answer. It isn't as much about the weed control as it is the separation.

 

[P0234]

He said because the water won't pass through poly.

Yeah I got that. So you want water around your foundation to keep it moist and supple?

 

[Renegade1LI]

Yeah I got that. So you want water around your foundation to keep it moist and supple?

If graded properly you shouldn't have water issues.

 

[Youngandfree]

If graded properly you shouldn't have water issues.

There won't be much once the gutters get installed.

 

[csp]

Like to put that fabric on top then maybe something like river stone or rocks that stay in place

Don't use a river rock because it doesn't stay in place. Use a crushed rock which locks in place and doesn't move if you walk across it.

 

[Youngandfree]

Don't use a river rock because it doesn't stay in place. Use a crushed rock which locks in place and doesn't move if you walk across it.

Probably not walking on it up against the house

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wouldn't want river rock to walk on but as a rock to prevent erosion that looks nice. The water can pass right through it and creates larger voids for water if used in water retention.

 

[karoc]

Thanks guys for all suggestions and comments, no walking those rock. It’s about 3’ drop over about 8’. With rocks be no mowing or weed eating, maybe an occasional spray as suggested. So even with gutters my plans are smooth and pack down then install the geo textile down then cover that with smaller rocks as suggested so interlock together