walshie Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 We have a gravel drive leading up to a gravel courtyard. I want to keep it as you can hear cars and people approaching, but over the years it's really compressed and in several places it's just a solid mass. Do I need to rake this up or just get a load more gravel and spread it out on top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 When you say a solid mass do you mean it's compressed into the base ? gravel usually only sticks together when mixed with clay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Yes. Compressed into the ground under it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Is it actually compacted or has it migrated downhill? If you piled more on,would it spill onto borders,the road etc? I'd lift any soil and weed infested parts and top up those areas and rake gravel back onto the bare sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 It's definitely compacted. Pouring extra on wouldn't affect any surrounding areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 Was it laid on hard standing or just a weed proof membrane ? Ideally hard standing would be better, sounds like its on a soft membrane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 It's definitely compacted. Pouring extra on wouldn't affect any surrounding areas. Bang it on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 http://www.core6systems.com/coregravel They work really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longspoon Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I have the same problem, my gravel slowly migrates to the bottom of the drive leaving compacted areas at the top. I rake it back up and very occasionally tip on some fresh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digger Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 No quick fix in that case, sorry to be the bearer of bad news. It will probably happen to most of the drive if the sub base isn't laid correctly. Quick fix - rake off the gravel over a larger area than the effected part, dig out, hardcore, compact. Type 1, compact. rake gravel back over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I think it's been here for 200 years so it's not sinking that quickly, plus it's a massive area overall. I think I'll give the worst bits a rake and add some gravel and see how it goes first, then take more drastic action if required. Thanks for everyone's advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted October 29, 2015 Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 I think it's been here for 200 years so it's not sinking that quickly, plus it's a massive area overall. I think I'll give the worst bits a rake and add some gravel and see how it goes first, then take more drastic action if required. Thanks for everyone's advice. you really are a southern puff............ gravel driveway leading to a gravel courtyard indeed. Have a word with yourself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) you really are a southern puff............ gravel driveway leading to a gravel courtyard indeed. Have a word with yourself Just because you northerners think a bit of the black stuff is the height of fashion. Edited October 29, 2015 by walshie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 OMG just looked at this. When I said courtyard, it made me sound like a real la-de-da. I meant quadrangle. No I actually meant square of gravel where i can just about turn the car round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felly100 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 I thought it adjoined your stable block! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 next to the staff quarters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Lol! I couldn't think of the word last night. And yes it is between the stable block and staff quarters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Do you have a fountain in there as well? Thought we had one, t;was a burst pipe! And it's a tarmac drive. If you ask some of the door to door " tarmacers" that offer to do a cheap job, it will start off as tarmac and finish as gravel.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanj Posted November 1, 2015 Report Share Posted November 1, 2015 OMG just looked at this. When I said courtyard, it made me sound like a real la-de-da. I meant quadrangle. No I actually meant square of gravel where i can just about turn the car round. QUADRANGLE.... you get worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett1985 Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) No I actually meant square of gravel where i can just about turn the car round. gotta give it to you walshie... turning the 'rolls' about does require a fair amount of space I bet? and the stretched hummer needs even more.... Edited November 2, 2015 by brett1985 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted November 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 gotta give it to you walshie... turning the 'rolls' about does require a fair amount of space I bet? and the stretched hummer needs even more.... Now you're being silly. The chauffeur drives the hummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.