I have a gravel driveway in good shape except for one area. This area has two strips of gravel with grass in the middle. The left side of the strip erroded away making it uneven for about 20'. I know run off from the house is causing the problem but I can't fix that now. I need a quick fix before winter. I've used small limestone gravel (sharp edges) before but it washes away with the snow melt. Someone suggested mixing granite sand with the gravel but I can't find it anywhere. Apparently the sand binds like cement when it gets wet. My thought was could I spread a little driveway sealer on the exsisting gravel and cover with new gravel. Kind of a chip and seal repair. Any thoughts?
Patching a gravel drive
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smokinj
Minister of Fire
I use 411 limestone also known as berm. It is a mixture if #4 and #1 limestone. #1 is dust. When it gets wet it will pack very well. This is all I use on my drive. Sometimes after grading I use a large lawn roller on it and it makes the drive like pavement. You need to kill the grass and probably add lots more gravel. I use a box blade with a tractor and only grade after a rain. Not while dry.
The only down side to this size gravel is your car will track it into the garage, its dusty when dry, and the dust can wash out.
Edited for spelling.
The only down side to this size gravel is your car will track it into the garage, its dusty when dry, and the dust can wash out.
Edited for spelling.
Prosecond said:
I was told granite sand does the same thing without the tracking problems. I just can't find it anywhere.
homebrewz
Minister of Fire
You're only going to find what is readily mined in your part of the state. I don't know what the geology is like where you are, but off hand I'm guessing you have limestone available and various sand and gravel deposits. You're probably not going to find granite, unless its brought in from a ways away (expensive). I fill our gravel driveway with crusher run from the local limestone quarry. Its unscreened material straight from the crusher and is one of their cheapest products. It holds up well. Until you get a chance for a more permanent fix, you might consider excavating some sort of a temporary water break before the washout to divert water flow.
Hogwildz
Minister of Fire
Ask your local gravel yard is they have "Modified". That is what we use to patch our road. Me and 7 other neighbors own the road and maintenance it ourselves. Modified is a 2B I believe and has a dark clay like medium mixed in with it. Patches well and packs real nice after a light rain and driving over it a few times. Holds up better than regular plain 2B.
I got 5 tons of crushed concrete this year.
It's ground concrete, with some sand mixed in. It packed down extremely well and doesn't wash away or move at all.
It's actually very fine with a minimal amount of large chunks.
I define a chunk as being 3/8-1/2" or so.
But like what others said... you only get what's available.
I found this crushed concrete to work very very well.
It's ground concrete, with some sand mixed in. It packed down extremely well and doesn't wash away or move at all.
It's actually very fine with a minimal amount of large chunks.
I define a chunk as being 3/8-1/2" or so.
But like what others said... you only get what's available.
I found this crushed concrete to work very very well.
ironpony
Minister of Fire
They call it #53 or 53's around here. It is a mix of different sizes of white rock and lime dust that packs well.
Granite sand may be the same thing as locking sand for paver walkways, but I'm not sure.
The best thing you could do is improve the drainage to keep the wash from happening in the first place....
Granite sand may be the same thing as locking sand for paver walkways, but I'm not sure.
The best thing you could do is improve the drainage to keep the wash from happening in the first place....
flyingcow
Minister of Fire
RNLA said:
that works well. or as we call them "grindings". especially if they can be layed down when it's a hot sunny day.
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