Parking pad (Gravel)

[dmftoy1]

So is the general consensus that I can use the pea gravel if I don't use landscape fabric (as it will compress into the dirt)? I don't really mind hitting it with roundup a few times a year to keep it clean as I have to do that to my driveway anyway.

Worst case, if I don't like the pea gravel can I just lay larger on top or would I have to clean it up first?

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[Bird]

Dave, one of the best, longest lasting non-paved driveways I know of is one on which the guy spread pea gravel, drove on it a few weeks to pack it into the dirt a bit, and then spread crushed rock (<1") on top of that. Trouble is I don't know just how much he used or whether you have enough; I just know if I were in your place, I'd get the dirt level, spread the pea gravel you have, wet it down and pack or compress it (by driving on it if I didn't have anything else) then put down the crushed rock on top of that.

 

[dmftoy1]

Thanks, I think I'll probably try that since the pea gravel is free! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (besides, i don't have a place to put it and I hate where it is. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Docsknotinn]

Is crusher run and crushed stone the same ?? Is that like slag ? or the stuff that kinda pea gravel ish but not washed ? I had the pea stone brought in to help with the grouse and the guy that brought it said I should try that as it often has smaller stone in it. Dave

 

[CTyler]

Crusher run is crushed rock, limestone around here, with the fines in it. You can get it in various sizes I've gotten 3", 1 1/2" and 3/4" for different things.

 

[fivestring]

Crusher run; crush & run; crush run....

It's rock with rock dust and fine crushed rock (like sand) mixed in. When wet, it spreads fairly well. When dry, it packs hard and the rock dust fills in gaps. It's excellent for the base layer, then come back after it settles and put regular rock on top.
Around here, it's about $150 - $200 a dump load.

 

[Hambone]

Here is what I would do, did do.
I would level up, still let water run off. Put down your free pea.
Around here we only have crushed limestone, no gravel.
Let it set, drive on it, park on it or what ever.
Top with a load of #53's, That is a mixture of size crushed stone with lime for packing.
Oops, first spray with round up, or similar.

 

[Currmudgeon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Crusher run; crush & run; crush run....

It's rock with rock dust and fine crushed rock (like sand) mixed in. When wet, it spreads fairly well. When dry, it packs hard and the rock dust fills in gaps. It's excellent for the base layer, then come back after it settles and put regular rock on top.
Around here, it's about $150 - $200 a dump load. )</font>

It's the material, exactly as it comes off the crusher, with no control over the gradation. Likewise, pit run is what came out of the pit, bank run is what came out of the bank, etc. Quality is variable and depends on the gravel pit that's producing it.

At the prices you cited, I'd look into getting road stone, the stuff your local DOT uses for road base. That's screened to have the right mix of stones, sand, and fines. The name varies from state to state, but the gravel operator should know ahat the local terminology is.

 

[Libertine]

dmftoy1:

I don't have that much experience building "roads", but, I just put in 1200-1500 sq. ft. parking area similar to what you are doing. I tried a couple of different grades of rock. Bird's suggestion of using 1" minus is right on. I am not familiar with "crusher rock" some have mentioned but it sounds similar - a thing by any other name and all that. 4"-8" of 1" minus will, when packed (and it packs EASY), stop weeds and make a good enough base for concrete or asphalt later.

JEH

 

[Docsknotinn]

I think in the area of my property the material is called 23a. It is the same mixture the county uses for roads there. I know it has clay in it as well. I had a low lying area and the areas with blinds all got this stuff. After it gets wet and driven on its like concrete. My interest in the crusher run or ungraded is to now spread over the top of that for the grouse and turkeys. Dave