Gravel driveway repair
#1
10-05-18, 06:15 AM
Gravel driveway repair
We have a fairly long driveway to our house. The top layer is asphalt milling‘s. The city came in and laid all new water piping in our neighborhood. Then connected all of the houses to the main water pipe. In doing this they dug a 3 foot trench straight down my driveway.
this processed caused most of the gravel to be mixed with dirt. The city just raked the dirt back into the trench. Now the top of the driveway is more dirt than Stone. In order to fix this they have brought in asphalt milling‘s to put on top.
My fear is, since they will be laying the milling on top of mostly dirt and not rock , that the milling’s have nowhere to settle and everything will just eventually be washed off. The city doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing. They have asked me what I want them to do. I’ve never laid a driveway I have no idea.
I went to a local asphalt company and what they suggested was that we dig 6 inches down and lay down some stones that look to be about 5 to 6 inches around. And then put the milling’s on top. This to me seems like overkill.
Any suggestions would helpful.
this processed caused most of the gravel to be mixed with dirt. The city just raked the dirt back into the trench. Now the top of the driveway is more dirt than Stone. In order to fix this they have brought in asphalt milling‘s to put on top.
My fear is, since they will be laying the milling on top of mostly dirt and not rock , that the milling’s have nowhere to settle and everything will just eventually be washed off. The city doesn’t seem to know what they’re doing. They have asked me what I want them to do. I’ve never laid a driveway I have no idea.
I went to a local asphalt company and what they suggested was that we dig 6 inches down and lay down some stones that look to be about 5 to 6 inches around. And then put the milling’s on top. This to me seems like overkill.
Any suggestions would helpful.
#2
10-05-18, 06:30 AM
Member
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Was this trench dug in the actual driveway, or was it dug beside the driveway?
n doing this they dug a 3 foot trench straight down my driveway.
#3
10-05-18, 06:30 AM
Photos of the work
https://www.reflectetc.com/Driveway-
The first 3 images show the work in progress.
The 4th image shows what the drive looked like before.
The last 3 show the drive as it is now.
The first 3 images show the work in progress.
The 4th image shows what the drive looked like before.
The last 3 show the drive as it is now.
#5
10-05-18, 06:37 AM
Member
Just do the normal required maintenance as necessary for gravel driveways and you should be fine. If you begin to see erosion, step up the frequency of regrading to remedy the erosion effects.
#6
10-05-18, 06:46 AM
Normal required maintenance
I’m sorry we bought this house recently and I’m very ignorant of “Normal required maintenance” for gravel drives. Could you elaborate? Also the city is supposed to fix this. If it’s not done right I’m sure they will tell us in the Spring this is our problem now. So frustrating.
#7
10-05-18, 06:49 AM
The city is usually required to fix the area involved back to how it was but from the pics it looks like they did a decent job. Gravel drive maintenance is mostly adding fresh gravel every so often. that and taking care of any erosion problems as they appear.
#10
10-05-18, 02:52 PM
Member
When I said routine maintenance, I was referring to grading once or twice a year to keep the driveway level and smooth.
Here are some examples. A lawn tractor attachment is usually sufficient:
https://www.google.com/search?q=grad...JmROzx4e6JneM:
Here are some examples. A lawn tractor attachment is usually sufficient:
https://www.google.com/search?q=grad...JmROzx4e6JneM:
#12
10-07-18, 05:11 AM
I agree that normal maintenance of a gravel driveway consists of putting down more gravel where needed, perhaps re-rolling, perhaps re-using gravel that spread off too far to the sides.
I am led to believe that, aside from the one time extra layer of material that the city should (or should have) provided you, your normal maintenance of the driveway in the future will be unchanged.
I am led to believe that, aside from the one time extra layer of material that the city should (or should have) provided you, your normal maintenance of the driveway in the future will be unchanged.
#13
10-07-18, 05:16 AM
Member
If it were mine Id put down asphalt as far as the budget would allow,
I live off a dirt road and that is a pain, cant imagine living with a dirt/gravel driveway!
I live off a dirt road and that is a pain, cant imagine living with a dirt/gravel driveway!
#14
10-07-18, 11:31 AM
Member
Are the asphalt millings on site...and if so, what do they look like ?
How about getting a couple of people over who work or install on driveways....tell them you are considering an upgrade in the future...and what do they recommend right now ...and leave a bid for you to consider.
I am thinking first good rain will wash some dirt down and expose more gravel. Maybe it is not so bad after all. Perhaps the City will bring out some more gravel and do the job for you. (Depending on what the road contractors tell you)
How about getting a couple of people over who work or install on driveways....tell them you are considering an upgrade in the future...and what do they recommend right now ...and leave a bid for you to consider.
I am thinking first good rain will wash some dirt down and expose more gravel. Maybe it is not so bad after all. Perhaps the City will bring out some more gravel and do the job for you. (Depending on what the road contractors tell you)
#15
10-09-18, 10:14 AM
Dirt always gets mixed in with the gravel. It doesn't look like it will be a problem although the real test is after it rains.
#16
10-10-18, 05:23 AM
How about getting a couple of people over who work or install on driveways....tell them you are considering an upgrade in the future...and what do they recommend right now ...and leave a bid for you to consider.
#17
10-11-18, 04:22 AM
I'd call the city, they should add a little gravel over top of that area. Around here when they dig up a gravel driveway approach they use your material to get it back level and then spread a little fresh gravel over that area.
It sounds like the guy you talked to is used to building roads [not gravel driveways] where it's common place to dig down and place whatever material is needed for a good base for the new road.
It sounds like the guy you talked to is used to building roads [not gravel driveways] where it's common place to dig down and place whatever material is needed for a good base for the new road.
#18
10-11-18, 05:25 AM
Member
I agree with Marksr. A couple of inches of additional gravel will help tremendously. Good luck with your project.
#20
10-12-18, 11:15 AM
Actually, I'd go with some grit & stone dust - which packs down to almost plaster like consistency.
You'll have compaction, but adding the grit and fines into the mix helps stabilize the disturbed dirt.
E.g. it is relatively easy it is to move your hand around in a 5 gallon bucket of just marbles, or a 5 gallon bucks of just dry sand. BUT, if you mix two different sizes, the material locks up and does not flow.
You'll have compaction, but adding the grit and fines into the mix helps stabilize the disturbed dirt.
E.g. it is relatively easy it is to move your hand around in a 5 gallon bucket of just marbles, or a 5 gallon bucks of just dry sand. BUT, if you mix two different sizes, the material locks up and does not flow.
