I wan to extend my gravel driveway 4 more feet. Can I do this myself, and if so, how?

Question

I bought a house in January. It's in town and has a gravel driveway along side that leads to the back where it takes up half of the back yard. All the previous owner did where it stops was lay down 2x4's (held in place with steel rods) as the barrier between the gravel and the rest of the yard. I want to extend this 4 more feet into the yard so I can fit one more car in the back. I do not know what is involved in doing this but cannot afford to pay a contractor $1200 to do it. The one thing I do know is that I cannot just spread some gravel over 4 feet of back yard and expect everything to be ok. What is involved in making the base needed for the gravel, and can I do it just household tools and no heavy equipment?

Answer 1

I think you can. You may first want to check with your local zoning office to make sure you are not violating any zoning codes. If that's ok, dig out the area to a depth of at least 4 inches. Frame the area with pressure-treated wood. Level off and PACK DOWN THE UNDERLYING DIRT and make sure it is draining away from the house and from the neighbors' houses. (You can pack it down with a special stamp sold at hardware stores, or by jumping up and down on it.) Add a POROUS plastic weed barrier ("landscape fabric") over the ground. Add 2" of gravel, pack it down (drive over it with your car). Add another 2 inches, pack it down. Add more if necessary., wetting it can help you pack it down. Use sharp gravel, not rounded pebbles. You may need to add more gravel after a few rains and weeks of use.

Answer 2

I know that in our town, the only gravel driveways allowed are ones that have been there before the paving regulations were passed, so like the answer before this one said, you might be violating the zoning regulation. However, 4 feet is so small that if you did it yourself, unless you have a noisy neighbor, you would probably be okay. The previous answer was right though around here in Ohio we have done it a bit more simple. Start with great big (4 to 6 inch gravel) pieces, mash them down put medium pieces on top, mash them down, and finish with small ones. Edging is good too. Good luck.

Answer 3

both the above are good answers, however they tend to more labor than required!! i put down one layer of regular gravel and after 4-5 months of driving on it ,, it sank in on its own,, then i put another layer,, 4-5 months,,, then i put down LIME STONE! this stuff will then stay on top of the other two layers!! crushed shell is also good at this time,,, oyster shells...