Compacting gravel driveway

[charlessenf]

I'm getting crashed stone delivered and spread on my old gravel driveway. I will crown and level it. Then a guy with vibrating roller will come over and compact it. Would it be a good idea to have stone dust spread on top before compacting? Please share your experience/ideas/suggestions...

Here they offer Washed Stone or Crusher Run. The latter has quite a bit of stone dust in the mix. We've only had it tailgate spread - then I'd go over it bit with the 4' box blade (all I had).

If I had a tank I could fill with water . . . I might try dampening the stuff.

No mention, I noticed, as to the preferred size of rock for such 'reconditioning' projects.

 

[aircommuter]

You need to add water on the job if possible because as you work the material you also lose water, if it gets too dry then it segregates. You need a uniform mix for best strength of the finished product. Smooth steel drum vibratory roller is best to obtain an even surface then if you want the rubber tire roller will kneed the top together. The rock we used came from three different quarries, but one quarry was a preferred by me. We usually had weights of 135 to 150 PCF, low weights indicate a softer lighter stone. There are numerous specifications like rattler test that can be specified. I was in the business 40 years.

 

[Jeff4]

I apologize for not reading all 7 pages of posts, but if no one has posted this, it might be helpful...

https://www.maine.gov/dep/land/watershed/camp/road/gravel_road_manual.pdf

 

[jyoutz]

Need to mix the two or a lot if the fines will wash off in the next rain.

The road base comes mixed from the gravel pit.

 

[gckshea]

If you're taking time to spread crushed stone, and I'm assuming it's clean/washed stone, compact it, then ADD stone dust, you are simply trying to make "crusher run" topping. That twice the work, and twice the delivery and spreading costs.
As you know, stone/crushed rock has 999 different names, numbers, sizes, colors, preferences from region to region, and supply yard to yard, quarry to quarry. It's confusing.
I put down generically called "3/4-minus." It's roughly 3/4" down to dust, with a few 1" stones intermixed
..not perfect screening. It spread easily, packs super well, and isn't really too muddy or dusty in rain or dry times.

I topcoated with what's called #10 block fill...it's like little sharp edged washed stones, 3/8" and smaller, but no dust. It packs crazy hard and really keeps dust and mud down, and doesn't really spin out if driving on it. Easy to rake or smooth if some truck happens to slip a wheel.

Make it easy and efficient...loosen up that base you have now with scarifiers...no sense in putting avocado oil on Teflon and expecting it to stick.

 

[Blue Mule]

Yeah I do wish the names were standard across the region. Here in Kentucky it's called "dense grade". It's a mixture of stone from pea gravel size up to nearly #57 size, with power mixed in. If it's wet, it'll compact very well and it's almost like driving on pavement.

However, as soon as the weather turns very dry it'll go to dust and fly around a LOT and potholes pop up quickly. That's been a big problem here this year due to moderate drought conditions.

Generally about 24 hours after a rain I can run over the road with my land plane and it'll smooth everything back out and make it nice to drive on again for several weeks.

 

[McCann]

In our area of Minnesota you can find, if you ask, crushed concrete with a percentage of crushed asphalt blended together. First time I used it I was very happy with just grading and a sand filled roller (980lb). Fairly high traffic as my neighbor uses part as he has an easement. I keep a small pile to touch up puddles that lead to bigger puddles but in my opinion much better compaction and seems to bind and hold.

 

[DJ54]

I am assuming this is limestone, not crushed gravel. Crushed limestone packs much better if you have an option of material. One thing to note, the more you grade it the more the fines will go to the bottom.

Vibratory rollers are fine & dandy, bit if you're on a budget rolling with a rubber tired vehicle does a good job too. Whether a tractor with a heavy implement on back or even a car truck making numerous passes. It will get it locked in place, and when going in and out the drive, just don't drive in the same track every time for a while until compacted.

 

[DJG46]

I'm getting crashed stone delivered and spread on my old gravel driveway. I will crown and level it. Then a guy with vibrating roller will come over and compact it. Would it be a good idea to have stone dust spread on top before compacting? Please share your experience/ideas/suggestions...

I always used road base it seems to hold better and packs like concrete. Just wet the ground and wet the road base when packing.

 

[stormcom]

I'm getting crashed stone delivered and spread on my old gravel driveway. I will crown and level it. Then a guy with vibrating roller will come over and compact it. Would it be a good idea to have stone dust spread on top before compacting? Please share your experience/ideas/suggestions...

Yes, definitely put dust on it and wet it. The secret is to not have any gaps in the stone for ice or water to permeate. Tell them you want road base with fines. You will be good.