How do I Lay Out a Dirt Road or Driveway & Maintain it With a Horse-Drawn Grader?
The driveway leading to your home is part of the first impression you give to those who pass by. In rural areas, where dirt driveways are commonplace, a driveway lends rustic charm to the property. There are some basic driveway design elements that should be followed regardless of the materials used to build the driveway. Once you lay out a dirt driveway, you can maintain it with a horse-drawn grader or tractor-drawn grader. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Draw a scale model of where the driveway will go. Contact local authorities to discuss restrictions on the distance a driveway must be built away from the edge of the property or from an intersection. Check on regulations that might call for installation of a drain pipe at the end of the driveway. Check with local utilities to see if there are any underground lines where you plan to dig.
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Remove the topsoil from the driveway area. The soil must be free from sticks, rocks, roots and leaves. Keep removing soil until the driveway area is strong and well-drained.
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Build up a crown in the center of the driveway, meaning the center of the driveway will be at least 1-inch higher than every 4 feet of driveway on either side.
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Install a ditch, if the driveway is on a hillside. The ditch should be on the high side of the drive and should be filled with boulders to slow the water runoff over the driveway.
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Fill in any potholes with soil several inches higher than the driveway itself. Attach a road grader to a horse or tractor at least twice a year for maintenance. The grader should be only as wide as half the driveway and should have two forward-cutting blades and side pans, which will eliminate any washboarding, or bumpiness, that has occurred. Operate the grader up one side of the driveway and down the other, but never down the center.
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References
- Photo Credit Dirt Road image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com
