We're getting our drive and patio resurfaced soon, so thought I might as well get the dog run resurfaced while we're at it.  I wondered what your opinions are as to the best material to put down, bearing in mind cleaning, etc.  Do you think concrete would be better than flags or vice versa.  At the mo we've got some flags and a gravelled area(which is proving difficult to clean properly)  The dogs don't spend loads of time out there, but do go to the loo there outside walk times and lie out there if they want to, so I need something easily cleanable, as I don't want the neighbours complaining about the smell in the summer.

Thanks in advance

Sorry can't help re. the dog run, but make sure that the people doing your driveway dig quite a few inches down and not the top layer or you will have problems in the future!

I have an area of flagstones under his kennel and an area of astroturf.  It's comfortable and warm for him to lie/play on and it's extremely easy to clean and can be jetwashed. 

Re surfacing, Concrete or butt joineted 2'x2' grey slabs will be fine. as both can be pressure washed, disi9nfected etc etc. I agree gravel is awful to clean up on as you take to much up each time. But it is good for the water to drain away, so if you could have a gravel trap beside the run, out side the slabbed area, it would be a good way of getting rid of the water without having bare soil :)
As for  perrodeagua comment, I whole heartedly agree :) :) and will give youy the specs they should be doing if you wish :D
Lea :)

i think concrete or slabs would be great our run is concreted aswell as our whole garden

I know gravel is a pain to keep clean but it's also brilliant for keeping your dogs feet nice and tight.

I built my own patio for my boy. Nice large slabs work very well. I went down to 2 plus foot before putting the hard core down due to the clay soil, packed down then a layer of sharp sand and cement laid down and then the slabs on a full base of cement wetting the slabs before each one is laid. Do not spot the slabs which leaves air holes and they also tend to come loose over time. Also make sure you have a 2 degree min drop off which will help the water run off the slabs. I've seen many patios holding water due to not having a small degree run off. When I filled the joints I also made sure the slabs were wet to help the cement bond to them which was a tip I found on the net.
Its very important that the foundations are firm and deep enough or you will have movement and this is dictated by the soil type in your area. If its by the house try to keep the patio 2 bricks down from the damp course too. 
I spent ages looking at slabs and the ones I chose seem great and are easy to clean.
I tend to do my own work as then I know its what I wanted and built to last. Next door said a helicopter could land on it :)

> 2 plus foot before putting the hard core down due to

Blooming henry!!! You can build a house on your foundations!!!!! LMAO
Lea :)

Lol I never do anything by half :) Its a raised patio which leads of the conservatory we had built. I built a small brick wall on the edge of the garden and I then put decking fence around it with a nice gate and steps leading down to the garden. I am well happy with it as I've never done one before. Took me a while to do though.
When the company did our conservatory they went down 3 foot plus due to clay but they came running in to show me that as I am in a semi the next doors conservatory had no foundations and they were worried it would move. I can remember that one built. It was erected very quickly. Half a job Harry built that :(

LOL, There are some bad 'builders' around!!!
Right, just so people dont get worried,  You dont need to go down 2' for a patio ;)
Rule of thumb is
Dig down 6"
Put in 3" Hardcore I use inch Down and compact with a Wacca plate (vibrating plate)
Mix 6to1 Sharp sand and cement, slightlky wet so it moves better and sticks better and lay a complete bed (NOT 5 blobs as they move) and lay the slabs  on top of that.
Have a slight fall so the water runs away.
The best thing is to buy Slabs that can be butt jointed, as if you dont get the grouting right, it comes away with time.
For a drive way, the difference we do is instead of 3" of hardcore we put about 8" down.
Lea :)

Sounds like I got most of it right lol just went mad with the foundations lol. Clay soils shrink more than other types of soil. Therefore excessive movement of the ground could cause damage to the foundation and the structure it supports thats why I went mad lol.
I hired one of those hand held thumpers as it was just a small area. Blisters all over and a bad back as they weigh a ton lol.
Now ladies I am available to hire. A good meal or lessons on cooking would be payment :)

Yeah, you did LOL
The other thing I will say is the 6" meathod works for clay soil as well, as thats what it is predominantly around here :)
We have a small wacca, which at a push we can lift on our own. But mainly have two people as its awkward!!
Digging out is so much easier with a mini digger as well ;)
Lea :)

Lol you love upsetting me. I dug it out by hand with a shovel with the use of a pick axe.
Am I right that for extensions on clay soil building regs indicate that clay soil which moves upto .75m of depth so foundations for extensions should be deeper? Not for a patio though, I was a mad man on steriods :)

You're hired,!!!! (Oh and if you really are cute and single, and you can build things - can you come when the oh is out :D :D :D)

Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to have it flagged and make sure theres a proper run off - the drainage is terrible at the mo - i have to send any water to the drain using a big yard brush :(. I'll let you know how we get on.

eta: wheres the big smiley gone????

Well you are MAD LMAO, We use that meathod mostly, Well not the pick as we have sharo spades and dont try and gig for Australia ;)
Now mini diggers are easy to hire (we only got a hire centre that stocked them about 5 years ago!!!) We tend to use one if we have a big job to do1!!!
Yes, the foundations for Clay soil should be deeper, not because of the wet, but when it drys out it shrinks, causing movement.
3 years ago in that very long dry summer alot of insurance claims around here were for buildings cracking due to the Clay soil drying out, cracking and moving the brick work :)
Well, if you ever fancy fininding out how to do it the profeessional way, you could always nip over here for a few days practice, especially if you are single and cute LMAO
Lea :) :)

:) Paula you are so naughty :)

I'm not really single, I have a young lady who I love with all my heart. She is my english rose and she tells me I'm her thorn in the side :)

Lea are you trying to get me in trouble too. I must change my sig before I get in trouble :)

I try! :) :) :)