EkoFlo Permeable Pebble Binder (5-gal. Bottle)

Bought the ekoflo, bought 3 yards of "lodi" 3/8 rock from a landscaper.Rock wasn't the best call, but the binder worked anyway.Lodi rock is pretty dirty, and washing it was a pain. Best answer is to get a 5 gallon bucket and drill some holes in the bottom with a 1/8 inch bit. Fill it with rock, get someone to spray it down with a hose while you run a mortar mixer (one of the spiral ones) in the bucket in reverse - that pulls the mixer in deeper on the one I have. Run until the water comes out clean, then mix it all up with the mixer again, repeat as necessary. Dump the top half off the bucket into a place to dry, and then do the same for the last half (Should take much less time). The dirt tends to settle near the bottom. Dump all but the last inch and spray again to confirm clean.IF you do that - you'll be ok. Even with Lodi's tendency to shatter when worked and release dust. if that happens, just use your float to pick out the offending piece and move it to a bare area of base rock - it won't be visible and you'll be fine. Replace with something that looks nicer. That's another general tip - if your mix goes a little sideways at any time - just slop that part onto the base rock somewhere else and it won't matter. This stuff is permeable enough to not care. You only will need to be careful about what's showing.If you're getting bubbles, you are using too much ekoflo to your rock size and amount. Most is 3/8, and that's a 5 gallon bucket of rock per red solo cup of ekoflo. Solo cups are 16 ounces almost exact when filled to the brim, and they're cheaply available at your local supermarket.If you aren't getting full coverage, you're more likely not done mixing. Check the corners of your mixing space. I used a wheelbarrow because cement mixers are expensive and tend to be dirty unless you buy new equipment for the job. That dirt will get into your ekoflo and make it look lame. A mortar mixer here will save your back and a ton of time. A dewalt 20v hammer drill was enough to drive my masonry mixer through the stuff easily. Use a hoe or a heavy duty rake to get down into the corners and check the mix to make sure you didn't miss any. I was doing 2x 5 gallon buckets of rock per mix today no problem.Oh, this is a 2 man job minimum by the way. You don't have time to do it solo, it hardens pretty quick. One mixes one floats the material into place. If you have to pause in the project (Let's say the sun goes down and your helpers want to do something ridiculous like sleep) then you need to leave a space to overlap the existing material. I just put a trowel width of material at half thickness down. just make sure you have a sharp line to butt up against, at least the width of your rock deep. Otherwise you'll have a divot in the material and that'll look odd.I've put 200 sq feet in to my front yard so far, and everyone is showering it with compliments as they ride by. The parts that are cured are solid and look fantastic. I may upload photos later.

Great product. Expensive, but the result is just what I wanted. Nine+ gallons stabilized two tons of black la paz pebbles. Surface is glossy and pebble colors are accentuated; area dry and walkable within 72 hours. Easy to blow clean, needs no raking to keep presentable, and no longer have to deal with stones scattering when dog runs across.

Works great if you follow the directions!