solidify clay driveway

[jhb]

My driveway is not large, maybe 15x40. The surface is mostly clay. When its dry, its hard, but when it gets wet after a rain, it ruts and gets muddy. Can I add/mix anything to it to get it to firm up? I regraded it last month to fix some puddling but that just made it worse as I made it less compact. My cars leaves 4 inch deep ruts, then it freezes. I am afraid I might brake an ankle one of these days!

The plan is to put a solid surface down (concrete) but even then, I am concerned about what's there now as a base. Thoughts?

 

[ALHILLDIRT]

I had the same problem, but a slope as well. Went with a 4-6" chert base followed with 1-2" rock, followed with 3/4 crusher run. Will eventually pave this, but for now it is holding. I would think it would not be wise to put concrete over the clay without some type of base.

 

[ray66v]

How about taking out some of the clay, put down fabric, 4+ inches of gravel (#304), and never see the clay again?
The only way to get what you have to firm up is to put in drainage so that the water does not get to it. If it is as soft as you describe, it is getting more than just the water that is falling in the drive. You either need a swail or some tile, or possibly both to route the water away from the drive.
If it is built up slightly higher than the surrounding area, compacted properly and drainage is provided around the perimeter it will stay firmer.

 

[ryer]

Same problem here in South Texas but the drive is 1/2 mile long. If you have access to it, I suggest a sand topping of about 3-4 inches. The sand layer is thin enough that your drive will remain hard and compact in dry weather but in wet weather the sand acts like a sponge and absorbs the moisture before it damages the clay. That is for standing water only. If your drive is constructed in a fashion that allows any water run off then it will wash your sand away and you are back to square one. An added benefit is, the sand allows some vegetation to grow at the edge of your driveway and helps hold together the soil. If you have access...sand is the cheapest medium.

 

[LarryD]

You should look into soil stabilizers if you aren't going to pave anytime soon.

I've never used any of these but read a little on them and it would seem a good short term measure to solve immediate problems.

PolyPavement: Natural Soil Pavement - Liquid Soil Solidifier

 

[Soundguy]

Soil cement..

ren a tiller.. add mix.. grade and wet..

soundguy

 

[Hammy]

Clay is an absolute pain to deal with. Its all I have around my place. What I've figured out, is that unless you have a whole lot of cash'ola, you have to top it with gravel. I would recommend putting the fabric down first and top it with the gravel and you shouldn't have any problems.

I know too, that with clay, you don't have to have standing water on it for it to become a mess. It can be hard as concrete one day, dusty as ash another, and then with a little rain fall, its slick and snot. You also grow about 4" walking on it when wet.

I have gotten dozer's stuck, backhoes stuck, my Jeep stuck, and just about every rented piece of equipment stuck while building my road and house.

I figure it either has to be covered with gravel, concrete, grass or weeds to be able to do anything on it when wet.

Good luck.

 

[bjcsc]

Clay is an absolute pain to deal with. Its all I have around my place. What I've figured out, is that unless you have a whole lot of cash'ola, you have to top it with gravel.

That's what people do around here. We're so low that may roads that people build up on their own are made from clay that is excavated (from a pond usually) specifically for that purpose. They work it out when it's dry enough, let it sit for a couple weeks, and then cap it with 3/4minus or topsoil and then 3/4minus...