HOW TO FIX A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY

HOW TO FIX A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY

1. ASSESS AND SURVEY THE DRIVEWAY.  THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP TO FIXING A GRAVEL DRIVEWAY IS TO IDENTIFY WHY THE DRIVEWAY IS FAILING.  THE MAIN REASON A DRIVEWAY FAILS IS WATER.  IF WATER PONDS AND IT DOES NOT HAVE A PLACE TO GO IT WILL WEAKEN THE ROAD AND CREATE POTHOLES.

2. BREAK UP POTHOLES, RUTS, MIXING MATERIAL, WATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AND INSTALL DITCHES.   IT IS IMPORTANT TO DIG UP THE POT HOLES AND RUTS TO ALLOW NEW MATERIAL AND OR EXISTING MATERIAL TO BOND AND COMPACT IN THE POT HOLE.  IT IS CRITICAL TO HAVE A DITCH SO WATER WILL HAVE A PLACE TO GO.  SOMETIMES THE PROBLEMS GO BEYOND THIS AND REQUIRE A WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN.

3. ADDING ROADBASE AND GRAVEL.  THIS STEP IS NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED.  IF YOU DECIDE TO ADD GRAVEL, 3/4" ROADBASE AND OR 3/4 CHIPPED STONE ARE GOOD MATERIALS FOR DRIVEWAYS.  ADD THIS MATERIAL WITH THE INTENTION TO CROWN THE DRIVEWAY TO REMOVE WATER FROM THE DRIVEWAY AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

4. COMPACTING IN LAYERS.  IT IS CRITICAL TO COMPACT ALL LAYER OF MATERIAL IN LIFTS OF 4" TO 8".  COMPACT THE ORIGINAL BASE LAYER.  CONTINUE TO COMPACT EACH ADDITIONAL LAYER.  ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO COMPACT A DRIVEWAY IS WITH A DUAL DRUM VIBRATORY ROLLER.

5. GRADE FOR DRAINAGE. Shape the driveway so it has a CROWN (higher in the middle, sloping to the sides) to prevent water from pooling.

6. RESURFACE. THIS IS A HIGHLY RECOMENDED BUT AN OPTIONAL STEP.  ADDING 2" TO 4" LAYER OF 3/4"GRAVEL STONE WILL GIVE THE DRIVEWAY A FINISH AND UNIFORM APPEARANCE.  WATER WILL PERCULATE INTO THE ROCK DOWN TO THE BASE AND THEN MOVE INTO THE DITCH.  YOU WILL NOT BE WALKING ON A MUDDY MESS.  THIS IS HOW YOU FIX A GRAVEL DRIVEAY.