tammy42
Member
Hi re constructing an arena......no membrane, single membrane or two membranes! Every firm/person has different opinion on! Can someone enlighten me please!
maneges
- Thread starter tammy42
- Start date
kathantoinette
Well-Known Member
Single membrane - good quality stuff will be adequate. Make sure all other materials are correct otherwise it won't drain correctly.
Booboos
Well-Known Member
You can put membrane between the soil and the hardcore, it doesn't really cost much as it is the common, cheap variety of 100 density.
Crucially you need something between the hardcore and the sand otherwise the stones will just come up. Membrane is your best option but here you need the really expensive 500 density that will allow water through but stop the sand. It will also need to be tacked under the retaining boards and heat sealed so none of it can ride up. The other option is a blinding layer but it is very easy to get this wrong and mess up your drainage.
Crucially you need something between the hardcore and the sand otherwise the stones will just come up. Membrane is your best option but here you need the really expensive 500 density that will allow water through but stop the sand. It will also need to be tacked under the retaining boards and heat sealed so none of it can ride up. The other option is a blinding layer but it is very easy to get this wrong and mess up your drainage.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
Water permable Tarmac makes the best base on a school .
catembi
Well-Known Member
Read my website for what happens if you get it wrong...lots of pictures... Trust me, you do NOT want to be landed with a mistake like this! www.cheapmanege.weebly.com
Be warned!
T x
Be warned!
T x
tammy42
Member
Oh deary me! I have just looked! Name and shame!? It's enough to put me off having one done!
Booboos
Well-Known Member
I've built 3 arenas diy and it is possible to do it, but you need to do your homework on how to construct an arena, you need to spend money on some elements there are only so many savings you can make before you start compromising on quality and you need to employ experts for part of the project if you don't have the expertise, e.g. an experienced digger driver.
JillA
Well-Known Member
The purpose of the membrane is to stop any fine grained surface leaching through into the stone base and drains. If you surface isn't fine grains such as sand you won't need a membrane. Mine was wood chip, so no membrane, neither will rubber chip or carpet fibre. You pays your money...........for me, membranes seem to cause more problems than they solve.
Booboos
Well-Known Member
To be fair wood chip is one of the most problematic surfaces there is. It inevitably biodegrades to mulch causing slippery pockets, uneven riding etc.
JillA
Well-Known Member
Too true - it should never be sold as an outdoor surface, it isn't fit for purpose. I topped mine up with rubber and next top up shortly will be carpet fibre, but it is out there and one of the choices