I want to redo an existing gravel driveway. Since is has been there awhile, is the existing base acceptable?

Question

I am planning on raking out the gravel and then covering the driveway with tiny river rock. I am going to edge the side with railroad ties. I also want to add an extension off the side and that is grown in with grass. Should I till it up and dig it out or is there a better method?

Answer 1

it is going to look very pretty for the first few times you drive on it...then those tiny river rock are going to slide all over the place from the cars and you will have ruts all the way down to the base. do you really want to spend all your time raking the rocks back into place and getting so frustrated you want to yell? limestone may not look the best, but it is used for a reason....it compacts into a hard surface. as for digging up the area to add an extension. hard work but you need to dig down about 3 inches and add limestone for a proper base and then pitch it so the water, in case of down pour, goes in the direction you want it to instead of down your driveway causing trenches or towards your foundation of the house. there are so many things to consider when doing this type of project and I don't want you to go through all this back breaking work and have it turn out not the way you wanted,

Answer 2

Since you mention no problems with drainage, it sounds like the BASE is acceptable.

I'm not as sure about the railroad ties... that MAY affect your drainage. Though if you put them down on a bed of gravel before staking them down that should do well.

This "extension" you plan... YES, dig away the top-soil, use a tamper to compact and level the ground, and then put down a base of sand before you put down your "river rock".

Paving IS expensive in our area of the country (California Sierra-Nevada Foothills) and much more difficult to maintain with the winter freezes.

My brother and I have been maintaining HIS 25 year old 200 foot gravel driveway for the last 5 years. We've bought or made a few toys... his tractor, a chain-harrow, a offset-plow to clear the drainage ditch...

We JUST put down a new layer of decomposed-granite... "rock" or "gravel" is often too slick for the rain and winter freezes on his drive.

Good Luck !!

Answer 3

Your existing gravel driveway should be fine to add gravel to and line with ties. It will provide a good solid base. However, if you are extending the driveway into an area that hasn't been used as a driveway, you will need to dig it out and provide a compacted base before pouring your top gravel.

Answer 4

You can do what suggest, however, I recommend you have it paved.

I have 1200 feet of driveway(very long!), and maintained the gravel for too many years. I finally had it paved, and have conclude how foolish I was to try to maintain the gravel for so long. Paving is not all that expensive. Get 3 bids, and make a decision on which one to hire. It's worth it (my opinion).