what are you using for road bed?

JoeR · Feb 3, 2007

I have a 800' long driveway. I can't afford to pave it... About 6 years ago, I put down concrete fines/concrete wash. It is free from the concrete plants since it is leftover. It packs well, has small stones and is pretty smooth. My neighbor just redid his driveway and he used shell for his roadbed. Shell is something they use a lot in Florida for roads. Anyway, it is time to redo the road, and I do not want gravel, but I do I am not sure if shell or concrete wash is better.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe

RobertN · Feb 3, 2007

Our drive is done in 3/4AB; 3/4" Asphalt Base. The drive was graded, AB put down, and then rolled with a vibratory compactor. It has held up very well for about 8 years now.

Having had our drive done, and doing work myself elsewhere, I have found the key is to do a good job compacting it. Out here, a 48" drive-able roller/vibratory compactor is about $175 a day to rent.

AB is basically 3/4"- rock with sand and fines mixed in. When it compacts, it is a very hard surface. Besides where my wife has peeled out, the overall road bed had held up exceptionally well. I know of other people who have put in similar drives, but did not compact it; thiers has not held up nearly as well.

MossRoad · Feb 3, 2007

I used slag from the steel mills on our tree farm property. My dad used it on his driveway when I was a kid. It really locks together well.

hudr · Feb 5, 2007

My driveway is right at 1/4 mile long. I have been using concrete wash for a couple of years on top of the original gravel. It really works well even though I spread it too thin trying to stretch it out. It is pretty dusty at first and really nasty the first few times it rains, but if I keep working it after the rains (2-3 passes w/ a landscapre rake) it sets up pretty good.

scott_vt · Feb 5, 2007

Mornin Joe,
Im always interested in what other people in different parts of the country use for base in their driveway.

Up here we use surepack, that stuff holds together quite well and doesnt wash out easily! The steep part of the driveway is always a challange with real heavy rain !

Partsman2 · Feb 5, 2007

In my part of the world everybody uses creek gravel which is just sandstone dug out of the creek beds. Once that gets packed down you go over it with crusher run. That's how I've done all of my roads for years and it holds up great. You do have to put a dump truck load of crusher run down about every year or two.

Chuck52 · Feb 5, 2007

I've used 3/4 minus in the past. That may be the same thing as was called AB by RobertN. Basically 3/4 inch stone with all the fines left in. I had it done about 3 years ago and it needs another layer this year. I'll use my box blade to level the crown before I have the gravel spread, and maybe this time I'll try to pack it. I wonder if a lawn roller would do any good at packing it down?

Chuck

RobertN · Feb 5, 2007

Chuck52 said:
I've used 3/4 minus in the past. That may be the same thing as was called AB by RobertN. Basically 3/4 inch stone with all the fines left in. I had it done about 3 years ago and it needs another layer this year. I'll use my box blade to level the crown before I have the gravel spread, and maybe this time I'll try to pack it. I wonder if a lawn roller would do any good at packing it down?

Chuck

I think that is what we call AB out here. All the roads have compacted AB under them.

Our drive was rolled with a vibratory roller; we were having work done on our neighborhood road so all the big equipment was already here. I have helped folks with drives, and rented a compactor. WOW! If it compacts good from the get go, it holds up real nice.

DCRC · Feb 5, 2007

I too have about a 900 ft drive way. I orginally put down over 300 tons of limestone base. (fines to about 3/4" stone)

Due to cost increase I'm know using crushed concrete (recycled) and it packs very well, as good as if not better than the limestone. The limestone has a nicer look, but with all the rain we've had lately I just like to be able to actually use my drive. and the crushed concrete does a good job.

The most important thing to remember is proper drainage. Crown the road and allow for drainage on each side if possible.

horsinaround · Feb 6, 2007

MossRoad said:
I used slag from the steel mills on our tree farm property. My dad used it on his driveway when I was a kid. It really locks together well.

For the slag, did you pack it, or just spread it and drive over it. I have heard that the slag is a lot cheaper than stone. How does it hold up?