How to Lay a New Gravel Driveway On Clay Soil - OVERVIEW

This article will detail the broad steps and considerations when laying a new gravel driveway on clay soil.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• General Contractor OR access to a bulldozer, backhoe, dump truck, and small grader or blade.
• Cash - even inexpensive jobs will cost several thousand dollars.

1. 
    
   Trail on centerline of driveway.

   Select and evaluate the site location for your future gravel driveway. There are several basic considerations when choosing the site.
   * How soft is the clay in the site? Most equipment can not be used on wet clay.
   * Is the site on a hill or grade? If so plan to lay the driveway in a serpentine path across the face of the slope and NOT straight up it.
   * Are there existing trees or other obstructions in the path of the driveway? Is it possible to go around the obstructions while maintaining a smooth line for the driveway? If not they will need to be removed.

2. 
    
   Rough Dozed Path.

   A path will now need to be bulldozed where the driveway is to be laid. Debris, stumps, etc leftover will need to be hauled away.
   * The dozed path will need to be relatively flat itself with only a minor slope across the width of the path.

3. 
    
   Sloped Drive.

   BOTH sides of the dozed path should have 6" to 8" ditches sloped to draw any surface water away from the road.
   * Surface or rain water flowing across the driveway can cause ruts and will wash away some of your gravel.

4. The FIRST stone that should be placed on the dozed path will be 2" limestone four to six inches thick from end to end.
   * The limestone will dissolve over time but allow for a solid base upon which to lay the next layer.
   * If possible, you will want to run a truck (light dump or heavy pick up) over the limestone several times (fifty+) to pack the limestone into place.
   * As the stone compacts you will notice a ridge form in the center of the driveway. You can use a rake or tractor blade to pull this ridge down into the low spots and tire track areas.
   * Be careful to keep a two foot wide path of compacted stone/gravel for each of the tire tracks. The center ridge may become bare but not wider than one foot.

5. Next, you will need enough one inch gravel to cover the driveway four to six inches thick from end to end.
   * If possible, you will want to run a truck (light dump or heavy pick up) over the gravel several times (ten+) to pack it into place.
   * As the gravel compacts you will notice a ridge form in the center of the driveway. You can use a rake or tractor blade to pull this ridge down into the low spots and tire track areas.
   * Be careful to keep a two foot wide path of compacted stone/gravel for each of the tire tracks. The center ridge may become bare but not wider than one foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Although it is more expensive, if you wish you may use slag instead of limestone or gravel to provide a more durable and harder surface.
• For the first few years it is expected that the driveway will need an additional two inches of top coating (one inch of gravel or slag).
• BY following this guide and the advice of your contractor you should be able to make and maintain a gravel driveway that will last for many, many years of service.
• Revving, spinning tires, etc will cause pot holes and bumps in the driveway. Always use a steady, even moderate speed when driving on the driveway or be prepared to rake/grade/drag the driveway to smooth out such holes and bumps.
• DO NOT walk/stand/run/play/dance/moonwalk/make dirt angels or otherwise put your body or the body of any person or pet/animal in the area where ANY of the equipment mentioned in this article MIGHT be working as machinery WILL kill if the bystander is not aware AND the operator does not notice you.
• Walking, running, rolling, sliding, belly-sliding and other unspecified activities - when performed on gravel, limestone, dirt or slag will result in scrapes, bruises, abrasions, cuts, bleeding, broken bones and/or extensive sobbing for some individuals if he/she/they should fall or do the activity on the aggregate. Wear good shoes properly attached to your feet, a helmet if necessary, as well as care and caution when on the aggregate.
• The above warnings are common-sense for most people familiar with projects like this and should not be taken personally but rather taken for the point-making humor that they are intended to be by any individual or group who may or may not be offended. Laugh - it's ok.