Driveway sinking

[nrc17gto]

https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/fmg/nfmg/docs/mn/roads.pdf

I have posted this before, but it's worth mentioning it again.

Have you dug a hole to see how far the clay layer goes down?

We have dug a lot of holes on the property while building. Lots of clay out here. I dont recall exactly how deep it was from my last dig but it is several feet at least.

 

[nrc17gto]

We use the geotex to go across bogs with 100,000 log trucks; I think that you are on the right track. Rather than rock, after grading I would put 6-8" (after compaction) of good gravel on top.

What do you consider "good gravel"? Fines/no fines/ size?

Thanks

 

[LouNY]

Get what drainage you can reasonably, put down your highway fabric and spread gravel on it, around here it would be item 2, screened gravel no big rocks and lots of fines to pack.
I would not use crusher run because of the sharp edges on it once you have a few inches (3 compacted) then if the crusher run is less expensive go for it.
If your truckers can tailgate spread in reverse over your fabric all the better, if the driveway is fairly tight when you have it done they can drive forward tailgating it for you.
Good Luck

 

[bspeedy]

Build it up so water runs away from this bad spot, and in a year or two, you won't remember where it was.

All of Eddie's post is correct but this part is the GOLD.

Some guys have suggested 6-8 inches more material - yeah, that'll work. Sure will cost, though.

 

[Snobdds]

All of Eddie's post is correct but this part is the GOLD.

Some guys have suggested 6-8 inches more material - yeah, that'll work. Sure will cost, though.

How do you build it up without adding more material?

 

[bkrgi]

Use the fabric ..it will work very well. Wait till it all dries up and heck if you have good gravel just re-pile it, lay the fabric and toss the gravel back on it and add new gravel if needed on top. Or just lay some 4" of 3/4crush on top of the fabric...no need to go over board for a driveway

 

[bspeedy]

How do you build it up without adding more material?

Definitely need more material. 6-8 more inches of material is typically not necessary.

 

[ovrszd]

The fabric will help a poor area, and speed up the time you can use a driveway, but it's not going to solve any problems. Most of the time it's used as a placebo to make people think they are doing something, when they really haven't.

If you lay down the fabric, you will still need to add at least four inches of road base gravel over it for it to lock together and become solid.

If you have a bad spot, you will still have a bad spot after you put down the fabric and 4 inches of rock.

My guess is that you don't need four inches of rock over your entire driveway. To properly fix your wet spot, you either need to wait for it to completely dry out, all the way down, or you need to dig up the mud and replace the soil with dry soil, compact it, and then add rock to the top of it. Mix the new rock with the old rock of the road, compact it and then get it wet, and compact it again.

Build it up so water runs away from this bad spot, and in a year or two, you won't remember where it was.

I agree. I have no use for fabric longterm.

 

[Peter 315]

Years back I saw the state of Vermont using the fabric on I89

 

[GLyford]

My question is does this look like just a low spot where water settles? Or is it more of a spot where water crosses headed somewhere else? I am wondering if a chunk of culvert might be a better long term fix...