Can a paver walkway be installed on top of existing landscape fabric in Vancouver?

No, you should not install a paver walkway directly on top of existing landscape fabric. Landscape fabric is designed as a weed barrier for garden beds, not as a structural foundation for hardscaping, and will compromise the stability and drainage of your walkway installation.

Why Landscape Fabric Doesn't Work Under Pavers

Landscape fabric creates a barrier that prevents proper bonding between the soil subgrade and the gravel base material. In Metro Vancouver's wet climate, this separation becomes particularly problematic because water cannot drain efficiently through the system. The fabric acts like a slip plane, allowing the gravel base to shift laterally under load, which leads to uneven settling and paver movement over time.

Additionally, landscape fabric will eventually degrade and tear under the weight and movement of a compacted gravel base. Most landscape fabrics are designed for light-duty garden applications, not for supporting the structural loads of a walkway base. When the fabric tears, pieces can migrate upward into the base material, creating soft spots and drainage problems.

Proper Walkway Base Preparation in Metro Vancouver

Remove the existing landscape fabric completely before beginning excavation. A proper paver walkway requires excavation to a depth of 8-10 inches below the final paver surface level. This allows for 6 inches of compacted granular base (3/4-inch crushed gravel), 1 inch of bedding sand, and 2-3/8 inch thick pavers (60mm standard residential pavers).

Install geotextile separation fabric directly on the excavated soil subgrade before placing the gravel base. Unlike landscape fabric, geotextile is engineered specifically for civil construction applications. It prevents clay soil from migrating upward into the gravel base while allowing water to drain through. This is especially important in Metro Vancouver where clay-heavy soils are common in Surrey, Richmond, Delta, and parts of Langley.

Metro Vancouver Climate Considerations

With over 1,200mm of annual rainfall, proper drainage is the most critical factor for walkway longevity in this region. The base must be designed to handle persistent moisture from October through March. Establish a minimum 2% slope (1/4 inch per foot) away from your house and any structures. Install the walkway base with proper compaction in 2-inch lifts using a plate compactor to achieve 95%+ density.

Use polymeric sand in the paver joints rather than regular sand, as it resists washout during Vancouver's heavy winter rains and helps prevent moss and weed growth that thrives in the region's humid conditions.

When to Hire a Professional

While small stepping stone paths can be DIY projects, walkways longer than 20-30 feet or connecting to existing hardscaping should be professionally installed. Proper excavation, base compaction, and drainage integration require experience and specialized equipment. A 100-200 sq ft walkway typically costs $2,500-$6,000 installed, including removal of existing landscape fabric, proper base preparation, and quality materials that will perform well in Metro Vancouver's challenging climate conditions.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Vancouver Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Vancouver Safety Surfacing Ltd
• I love kitchens LTD
• Heilman Renovations