Driveway help

[TheMan419]

So two things going on with my limestone driveway....

First we need to add more new limestone to the existing driveway. Here is the company that we will be using to deliver the stone Limestone and Sand - Knepp Sand & Stone

What do I want or what information do we need to make that determination? The underlying driveway is still solid but there is not much stone left on the driveway. So I can see larger vehicles (mainly the trash truck) starting to leave tire marks, so I know that is not good!

Also we are going to be building an additional drive area. The contractor wants to put down 3 inches of #2 slag then 2-3 inches of #53 limestone. Is that a good plan? The base is clay, as that is the soil in my neck of the woods.

 

[LD1]

Depends on what you want the drive to be like.

Glad you posted their link, as limestone terms and #'s vary by region. for example, What they call $53's, we call 304's. What they call #11, we call #8's. so it gets real confusing real quick for others to follow once you cross state lines.

In your case, I'd skip the slag. Go with 2-3" of the 53's. Thats a good mid to top coat material. Usually we put that on after the big 3"-4" base stones. Helps lock in the base. But since you have an established driveway with a good base, the 53's will re-level and solidify things.

Now some people like to stop here. They are okay with that look on top. And its where I quit on my shop drive too, which is rather steep and didnt want a bunch of loose stone to contend with getting in and out, especially with a trailer.

With some rain, the "dust" will wash down in and almost set up like concrete.

Some people dont like the look, being able to see the larger 1-1/2" stones, not a uniform look, and can cause you to track in alot of limestone dust into the house.

So weather to topcoat only you can decide.

And if you choose to topcoat, it looks like #8's, #9's, or #11's is what they offer. Notice the "no fines". that means no powder...IE: no dust to track in. And its a more uniform size and appearance.

But dont go overboard with a top coat. 1" to a max of 2" is plenty. Absent the fines, they dont lock together as well, and can cause some wheel spin if you have hills, or rooster tails if curves and people drive too fast. But a thin layer over the #53's will give a better appearance, and cover the dust.

 

[TheMan419]

LD:

Thanks. So even on an existing drive do the 53's with the fines?

 

[LD1]

All depends on the current condition of the driveway. So I cant answer that.

If 1"-2" of top dress is fine with you, go for it. But if some leveling is required to fill in low spots or ruts, I'd do the 53's

 

[John_Mc]

I don't know about the soil conditions in your area, but around here if we want a new driveway to last, we put down geotextile fabric first. This helps keep the driveway gravel from getting pushed down into the underlying soils when you drive on it in wet conditions (and keeps the underlying soil from bubbling up through your driveway). You might want to ask around to see if that is recommended in your area. Some soils or drainage conditions don't really require it.

 

[TheMan419]

I don't know about the soil conditions in your area, but around here if we want a new driveway to last, we put down geotextile fabric first. This helps keep the driveway gravel from getting pushed down into the underlying soils when you drive on it in wet conditions (and keeps the underlying soil from bubbling up through your driveway). You might want to ask around to see if that is recommended in your area. Some soils or drainage conditions don't really require it.

For me we are pure clay. The contractor I had out did not seem to think that was needed, but reading up on it that may be a very good idea.

 

[Streetcar]

Fabric for driveway depends on soil conditions of the subgrade and what is drainage on the driveway. All stone driveways will have dust, but uniform topcoat will have less dust

 

[TractorGuy]

We are about to have a private road filled and leveled by the county. Our county engineer suggested using ground concrete (not washout). He claims it has a compaction rate that is twice that of lime rock. The stuff I saw them using in a nearby creek bed looked like all fine stuff. They were claiming they could put it right in running water and it would hold.

 

[TheMan419]

The current drive is limestone. So I want to keep a uniform look. Also recycled concrete is hard to find right now here. Both Notre Dame and the Potowatami Indians have huge projects going on. They are buying all the recycled concrete they can get their hands on.

 

[Streetcar]

Crushed concrete does not make a good gravel driveway. It tends to continue break down if subjected to water or direct loads. It also can have metal in it.
Jd 855
concrete in Ohio and Indiana are typically use limestone and the crushed concrete would have similar properties