Why do I need gravel again?

[tomplum]

My big driveway turn around area up top is compacted, no pot holes but a lowish spot on the driver's side of where my lovely wife gets out of her car. During heavy rains, her foot can find a 1" puddle in a low spot. Early fall I took my DR grader that I use on my three point, stir gravel up and nudging the low area w/ extra mix. Still.

So my middle of the road option here is a big old truck of gravel. It's probably been 5 years, so probably 1200$ Should I err on a finer grind? Not that they have much variance to offer. At least didn't in the past. 5/8" minus, maybe 3/4" minus. I haven't called. Am I on the right track? Working it w/ the DR, is maybe not aggressive enough or maybe it's just time for gravel.

My other options I've pretty much discounted. A new purple pair of water proof shoes for her on the low end or replacing the wife. I can't afford that, nor I guess would want to.

 

[34Willys]

Was there a tree stump or large rock dug out from that area?
You may need to dig that spot up and fill with gabion, then smaller crushed rock, then top with your 3/4 fines. Road filter fabric helps, but not very practical to small patch with.
I've covered small tree trunk holes with 3/4 minus, and the mud always seemed to work it's way up while your tire or boot sinks down.

Patrick

 

[Cycledude]

Maybe pour a nice concrete slab for your wife to park her car on or even cover the entire driveway with concrete.

 

[oldnslo]

How long had the driveway been there? I had a sinking spot in drive that was a few years old. Finally grabbed a shovel and started digging. Found was clay goo down around 1 1/2 to two feet. Dug through that and refilled with rock then road mix gravel. Never had a problem in 10 years lived there after that.