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Gravel driveway construction
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Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Sun Dec 28, 14 3:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

When constructing soakaways or French drains or hardstandings on site we always use Terram as the containing envelope.

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Mon Dec 29, 14 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

On soft/wet ground lay matting first to stop mud mixing with base material. Then as deep a base as you can be bothered/afford. On good ground, that's at least 4 or 6 inches of hardcore. Roll. Then add an inch or two of MOT(crushed granite). Roll. Add a THIN layer of gravel and roll into MOT. Then another THIN gravel layer.
Ideally the gravel should be 2 pieces of gravel deep - first layer rolled into Mot , the second layer to fill the gaps.

Regardless of construction, gravel drives will get weeds. Seeds land, they grow.

kGarden



Joined: 01 Dec 2014
Posts: 178
Location: Suffolk, UK
PostPosted: Mon Dec 29, 14 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I don't know much about it, but we too have a gravel drive. There is some hardcore under it, but the gravel disappears over time, and as it gets thinner more weeds grow and have to be tackled.

We top up the gravel every few years, and the thicker layer reduces the weed seed germination.

If yours has lasted 7 years since last topped up maybe all it needs is a top-up?

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Mon Dec 29, 14 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Nick wrote:
Yeah, time and budget doesn't really allow for that method, and weeds would still grow.

Back to the question, then.


Quick and cheap ?

Don't lay membrane over existing and chuck gravel on. That will be easy to keep weed free, but you will wheelspin and tear or ruck the membrane.

Suggest pull out weeds (I don't like weedkiller as you leave organic matter behind for future weeds), rake off loose gravel, dig out soft spots, fill holes and 're-level' with MOT(couple of ton?), hire 'wacker' or roller etc. etc
Get 10ton(?) loose tip gravel delivery - far cheaper than dumpy bags - and get the driver to tip as he drives down drive.

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Mon Dec 29, 14 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I was planning on using a mini digger to remove the top 3-4 inches off,which is gravel, with mud and greenery, and throwing it in and around a field gateway to firm it up a bit, popping down membrane and covering in 3-4 inches of gravel. But you reckon some MOT might be better? And roll it flat.

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 12:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

If you are a boy racer and want to wheelspin and drift down your drive then 3-4 inches of gravel is cool.
If you want a more sedately entrance then a well compacted base with a minimal covering of gravel rolled into it, is what you want.

Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 12:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Just make sure the gravel has plenty of sand in it and add a few bags of cement

Hairyloon



Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 2:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Rob R wrote:
Just make sure the gravel has plenty of sand in it and add a few bags of cement

My drive is made like that. I still get weeds growing through it...

RichardW



Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I thought that adding lime was the standard method for keeping weeds down?

onemanband



Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

RichardW wrote:
I thought that adding lime was the standard method for keeping weeds down?


Not heard of that. Makes sense. I have an old bag of lime and a weedy area (despite a foot of hardcore, the lack of traffic means the adjacent planted area soon colonizes it)
I shall report back next year

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What would large scale addition of lime to my drive do to the water beneath, that ends up in my well?

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 10:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Give you limescale.

Nick



Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 34535
Location: Hereford
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 10:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yeah, we plenty of that already. I mean if it kills plants, does it harm other things?

Eta. Can't find anything to suggest it kills weeds, just raises the pH. Not so good for drinking water.

Rob R



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 14 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

onemanband wrote:
RichardW wrote:
I thought that adding lime was the standard method for keeping weeds down?


Not heard of that. Makes sense. I have an old bag of lime and a weedy area (despite a foot of hardcore, the lack of traffic means the adjacent planted area soon colonizes it)
I shall report back next year


It doesn't work - we've got weeds growing on 18 inch of limestone.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Dec 31, 14 9:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Depends on what 'lime' you are using. Calcium hydroxide will raise the pH and is not a good idea for drinking water. For anyone living in an acid soil area, it will be neutralised, but slowly.

Chalk or limestone are basically a mixture of calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate and calcium sulphate with a few other things thrown in. They are a lot less alkaline, and will only affect plants that are lime intolerant.

From what you have posted Nick, I don't think any sort of lime on your drive is going to stop the weeds, and won't be good for your well.

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