[DenverHiker]

I would love some recommendations to a tricky situation with a new house I've just bought in Denver. It's an old Victorian that's been vertically split into three units (basement, 1st floor, 2nd floor). Two of the units have side entrances, and I'd like to spruce up the area on the side with the entrances.

Right now, there is a very narrow walk that leads from the sidewalk, up two steps, then along the side of the house to the back. Next to the walk is several feet of pea gravel (I presume for drainage), 3-4 inches deep. The top of the pea gravel is about 2 in. below the surface of the walk. Where the walk goes up two steps, the pea gravel is held in place by some small pieces of stone laid on an angle. In places, the concrete walk goes right to the house and in other places there is 3-4 inches of dirt between the house and the walk.

My problem is this - I'd like to lay flagstone along the entire side of the house without having to break up the walk or remove all the pea gravel and pour a new walk. So I'm thinking I could compact the gravel, then compact about 2 in. of sand on top of the gravel, and then lay the entire area with a wet base. However, I've never heard of anyone using wet base over sand, so I don't know if that will work.

Also, I'd like my steps to be flagstone and not concrete, so I'm planning on covering the existing steps with flagstone. They're low so it won't create a high stepp. However, next to the concrete steps, it's basically a dirt slope with some stones loosely laid on a steep slope, so I am totally lost as to how to create the flagstone steps where I don't have pre-made concrete steps.

All advice, commentary is welcome, but I'd especially like tips and comments on:
1) wet install over adjacent concrete/sand bases; and
2) flagstone steps in dirt next to existing concrete steps.

Thanks all!!!

p.s., I'll try to post photos before Friday to better explain the situation.

[Stonehenge]

I'm not sure I understand the step situation, but mortaring flagstone to existing concrete steps should not be a problem.

However, I'd suggest you abandon the walk concept. Pea gravel is a bunch of stone marbles that will move and shift as the wind blows - anything installed over that is destined to fail.

Breaking out concrete is a lot of work, but right is right. Tear out the old concrete and remove the pea gravel, then lay a fresh base of crushed stone, bedding sand and flagstone. Polymeric sand between the joints and you'll have a nice, durable project.

It's only work, right?

[Lanelle]

You mentioned that the pea gravel was possibly for drainage.
This is a very important consideration.
Is this area close to the property line?
Do you have a swale that carries water away from that side of the house?
If the walk will be near the side lot line, you will need to channel the drainage on your property without pushing it on to the adjoining property.
I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

[DenverHiker]

The gravel is close to the property line, but the neighbor's lot is slightly higher than my lot (2"-3"). There's no swale (maybe b/c Denver's annual rainfall is only ~15"). These houses are fairly close together, so I've only got 6' on the side of my house before the neighbor's 6' of sideyard starts.

Thanks for the comments!