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Gravel Driveway Help
Posted on 1/8/20 at 1:31 pm
Posted on 1/8/20 at 1:31 pm
We have about 600' of gravel driveway leading to our house that is need of some TLC. I have a tractor with a grader on it, and have graded the driveway several times, but still eventually end up with big pot holes and dips in the same spots. We're working with whatever gravel/rock was put down originally and I'm pretty sure that's the source of the problem. What size and type of gravel would be best for resurfacing the driveway and getting rid of the pot holes? Any other tips on keeping the driveway nice and flat?
8
Posted on 1/8/20 at 3:14 pm to TomSpanks
quote:
We're working with whatever gravel/rock was put down originally and I'm pretty sure that's the source of the problem
Likely the problem is whatever is under the gravel. This probably won't solve your problem but i recently saw a video on YouTube where used tires had their side walls removed and placed on the ground creating a web of circles. Gravel was then backfilled over the tires. The tires create a strong barrier to keep the gravel from shifting.
LINK
Posted on 1/8/20 at 3:26 pm to TomSpanks
quote:
I have a tractor with a grader on it, and have graded the driveway several times, but still eventually end up with big pot holes and dips in the same spots.
Are you just using a box or do you have a blade you can turn to pull material to the middle of the road? It works best if you angle your blade to pull material to the middle and create a turtleback on the road. As someone alluded to, you may have a rotting stump under the road creating the sink holes.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 8:36 pm to TomSpanks
Do you have a land plane grader?
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:14 pm to TomSpanks
Concrete that thing and never worry about it again. In the long run it will be cheaper also and since you have the gravel already there you have a good base.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:27 pm to TomSpanks
Three things. Sounds like you have crappy CLAY gravel. As you drive in/on your driveway, try to drive a steady speed. If you slow down, and then goose it just a we bit, over time you have a pot hole. Next time you drive on it, check this out.It's out of habit. Consider a thick layer of limestone.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 10:25 pm to LSU Tiger Bob
Limestone. I like the washed personally. 2 big tandem loads.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 10:50 pm to CheEngineer
quote:
Concrete that thin
600' of a concrete driveway will cost a pretty penny
Posted on 1/9/20 at 5:23 am to tenfoe
quote:
Are you just using a box or do you have a blade you can turn to pull material to the middle of the road? It works best if you angle your blade to pull material to the middle and create a turtleback on the road
I have a blade and do my best to create a turtle back, and that actually works pretty well, all the holes are on the outside edge of the driveway.
quote:
Do you have a land plane grader?
No, it's a blade with rippers. I've used the rippers to "till" up the gravel, then graded it.
quote:
Concrete that thing and never worry about it again
Sorry, not OT rich, so that ain't happening. I eventually would like to asphalt it, but that'll be a few years out.
quote:
LSU Tiger Bob
Thanks. That makes sense for one spot for sure, it's right in a corner, but the 2 worst spots are in a long straight section, I don't think we're doing much accelerating in the middle of a straight away. I'll definitely pay more attention to that though.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 7:33 am to TomSpanks
What I had done is dig out the pot holes and pour in some readi mix concrete. That gets you a base were water can't sit. 
In fact after this rain coming, I have two spots I have to fix now. 
In fact after this rain coming, I have two spots I have to fix now. Posted on 1/9/20 at 9:23 am to fishfighter
Another option is dig it out, put in a piece of geotextile then backfill and compact with a better material. Then more geotextile piece and rock over that up to grade.
You get potholes because the road base is crap and squishing around when you drive on it.
You get potholes because the road base is crap and squishing around when you drive on it.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 1:34 pm to fishfighter
quote:
What I had done is dig out the pot holes and pour in some readi mix concrete
Thought about this but for some reason it seems too easy, not saying it won't work, just seemed to me like I was trying to take the lazy way out
May give it a shot and see how it goes.Posted on 1/9/20 at 1:56 pm to TomSpanks
you have to fix the base, just refilling potholes with gravel, rock, whatever, leaves the problem underneath and will keep reappearing.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 8:58 pm to geauxskeet
So to really fix it if need to dig up around the holes and do what? That's what I'm unsure of.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 9:03 pm to TomSpanks
Posted on 1/9/20 at 11:36 pm to TomSpanks
you have to destroy the pothole, filling it does nothing.
Simply put, you need to grade it deeper or at least as deep as the bottom of the holes or you will never resolve the problem.
Simply put, you need to grade it deeper or at least as deep as the bottom of the holes or you will never resolve the problem.
Posted on 1/10/20 at 5:48 am to GCTigahs
quote:
Weird I just watched this video today
Thanks. Great video, and I basically do what he recommends, just with one tractor and one box blade. 90% of my driveway is OK, I just need to get the rest of it in shape
quote:
Simply put, you need to grade it deeper or at least as deep as the bottom of the holes or you will never resolve the problem
That makes sense, I'm going to bust it up and try again.
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