What do I do with a scruffy concrete path??

[SarahS12345]

We have a scruffy concrete path area in our small London garden. It is cracked and uneven and seems to be a weed and gunk magnet. I'd love to sort it out but need to be able to do it myself. Any suggestions? Had wondered about decking or paving? Has anyone laid decking directly onto a concrete path? Is it doable? Thanks

For the quickest fix, could you fill the cracks and paint with concrete paint?

I think it's a bit beyond that! Needs more drastic action. The cracks lool like someone has taken a sledgehammer to it. Thanks for the suggestion though. Could maybe reconcrete and paint.

The weeds will come through decking. Painting sounds horrible! Sorry! This is really a professional job unless you are a builder. I would get it removed and lay edging, a membrane, and put down gravel. You could do everything except taking up the concrete. Or build up the edges and put gravel over the concrete, but you need to retain the gravel or it goes everywhere.

The trouble with gravel is two small children who constantly pick it up and transport it round the house!
Would weeds come through decking even if I lined with landscaping fabric. Don't mind picking the odd weed if the decking is doable.

Painting may sound horrible to you. But if you look on google images there are some fabulous results with paint on coatings. Not everyone can afford a professional.

watching with interest as we have a long knackered path. Really don't want gravel.

Tiles?

If the concrete is in poor condition, you cannot lay tiles on it without a good, level base because the tiles will move and crack. The same applies to paving slabs or stone. Yes, put down a membrane under the decking but, I can assure you, decking gets slippery. My DH slipped up and cut his head open on ours! Had to have a scan too! Personally I would not have a path made out of it or maybe you could find a non slip when wet wood. Not sure if this is actually possible though. Decking is not that cheap either. We have a gravel drive and my children never played with it. No child that came here ever played with it. You could use a larger size. I forget the name but it is more like small pebbles. Children can be taught to respect the path. I do not see how painting a cracked concrete path will help. Won't it just look just as grotty but in a different colour? What about putting soil on top and having a grass path?

I really don't want gravel because I use a wheelbarrow up and down it, and the kids scooter up and down it, (wheels and gravel are a bad combination) and the stones will migrate onto the lawn on either side and damage the mower.

If you are worried about decking being slippy, you can get anti-slip decking boards and decking that you can retro fit grip strips into.

www.qualitydecking.co.uk/anti-slip-decking-range.php

We have Q deck but not fitted grip strips. I was going to see how it goes and lay them on the main traffic route if necessary.

Anyone I know with decking has either taken it up of is planning on taking it up. It is high majntenance, slippy and apperently provides a pefect spot for mice to nest underneatb. There is a composite decking that wears better in our climate but it doesnt slove the mouse problem.

I think you need to save up to have a gardener or builder lay new paving.

Htttp:www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-409670/Garden-decking-triggers-rat-plague.html

I know at least 3 petiole who have had mice under their decks and my parents twice had a rat take up residence under theirs!

People, not petiole! Stupid phone keyboard!

I quite fancy a brick path as I have a load of old bricks that used to be an internal wall

Could you maybe put another layer of concrete on top and make it smooth?

So we are going to try to pave it. Layer of concrete first to level it and then paving slabs. Will report back on how successful that is!