Time (and a dry spell) might answer this question but I want reassurance/bad news quicker as I am fed up.
I had thought I had come to the end of a long ordeal of creating a graveled drive area to the front of my house only to fall at the final hurdle. Today here, like most in England and Wales, we had torrential rain (about 90mm). Sadly the night before I had mostly spread out the 25mm depth of 10mm local shingle but not quite finished. I finished work early to spread out the rest and then give it a bit of a run over with the plate compactor before rushing it back to the hire firm. To my horror as I started to walk on certain areas I began to sink into the ground. :O The sub-base was made up of 125-150mm of type 1 which had been 'wacked' down but this seemed to have gone soft, to the point I could push my finger right into it! The worst areas were almost exclusively part of a second batch of type 1 which was delivered to make up to the full amount that was needed. I should say that there was a noticeable difference in the second batch: a) there were occasional large fairly round rocks of about 100mm diameter, b) there seemed to be less of the larger stones and more fines(much easier to shovel), c) also some of the smaller stones were actually fines that were stuck together having a consistency of clay. With hindsight I know I should probably at least queried this but I have been doing this driveway for a long time now and was trying to get it finished before the arrival of my second child (just fed up of walking in a mud bath to get to the house) so I convinced myself it would be okay. It certainly seemed to compact well in the dry.
So is this just because of the deluge of rain or have I been sold some sub-standard sub-base any thoughts would be very much appreciated.
Can I also say what a fantastic site and resource this is, it has been invaluable on the few occasions that my house renovations have required this type of work.10/10
My dad used to say - for god's sake don't panic and cross your bridge 'til you get to it - sounds like yer type1 is totally normal - let this deluge pass, then re-address - I'm not gonna bother wacking this 1st layer of type1 - the weather's done it FOR me....
Cheers - yours with a massive puddle in middle of marquee, for tomorrows weddding - (not mine) ..wedding that is....
"Meet the new boss - same as the old boss - We all get fooled again"
I had the same problem myself earlier this year when after persistent rain my mot took on the consistency of porridge. Once it had dried out it was solid as rock
cheers
Slim
just googled - Solid - result is - Ashford & Simpson - 1984.
Didn't realise theyalso wrote - Let's go get stoned (Ray Charles)
Cry Like A Baby - (Aretha Franklin) -
and shit loads more classic stuff... don't 'alf learn a lot when you drop into The Brew Cabin.
"Meet the new boss - same as the old boss - We all get fooled again"
They were staff writers for Motown in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Solid as a rock is not their best effort - by quite some way!
Anyway, back to the squishy sub-base. It *will* firm-up as the ground dries out, and there's nothing that can be done at this moment in time that would be of benefit in the medium-longer term. Try to keep vehicular traffic off it for a week or so, and don't panic - it really will come good...eventually!
Thanks to all for your reassurance it was obviously what I was hoping to hear. Will patiently wait for things to dry up, if the weather gods let it happen. I'm sure the neighbors think I'm being precious about my drive still parking on the road, I think I'll tell them we'll only use it for special occasions. :p
LLL - different one! - in Bucks - I'm sure I would've recognised the famous boots - a few heavy showers on the sat pm - but a good old shindig in the end - Dunkirk spirit and all that - great Watford band The Hoggz - recommend to anyone....
"Meet the new boss - same as the old boss - We all get fooled again"
