The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:28 pm**

Afternoon, recently had a drive done, it was half block paved and the other half shrubs and grass, job is all done, looks the business but I have one question below.

The builder/landscaper who I must say was extremly proffesional in every way took all the blocks/grass and shrubs away, laid some pavers round the outside and then laid a base which was described as a type 1. It was like a load of stones really.... like a red/brown colour, several lorry loads were delivered and it was raked across the whole drive. Then there was a machine called a forward/reverse whacker I believe... this was used for the drive but for how long I dont know, I went out!

Anyway, driveway done, 10mm shingle laid about 1" thick, looks really smart and I love it.... but... every now and agin (only been laid a week) I keep getting the a big one of them red/brown type 1 stones arise above the shingle. I am also wondering that if I were to do a wheel spin on the drive (no I would not want to but what if I did) would I get a bucket load of this type one come up?

Had gravel drives before and usually builders have used like a cement base and then laid the gravel.

Any advice? Just paid a fortune out on this drive so break it to me gently!!!

Thanks

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:45 pm**

This is normal. Concrete under gravel is not recommended, MOT is better as the gravel can be compacted down onto/into the MOT. However, you are dealing with two 'loose' aggregates and no matter how well compacted the MOT sub base is you will get the large stones migrating through, particularly where your car wheels turn.

If you want a permeable gravel drive there isn't a cure I know of. If the big stones bother you, just pick them out as they occur.

Posted: **Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:34 pm**

There are gravel trays which stabilise the gravel and obviously with these you would'nt have any MOT coming through as they have a plantex like material on the bottom.

There not cheap though...

Posted: **Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:07 am**

sounds like a proper job,until it settles in you will get a few bits of type 1 coming through,
its a bit like lumps in the sugar bowl
if you shake it the lumps come to the top!
the stone he has used is type1 MOT which is crushed limestone ,which is good
cheers LLL

Posted: **Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:05 pm**

Sorry - should have said - when I used the term 'MOT' I am referring to DTp Type 1.

Posted: **Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:51 pm**

I still call it " M O T " myself. Also still say G P O cables, steam roller, horse road and numerous humorous bygone names. anyone else stuck in the past?

Posted: **Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:15 pm**

i still call it MOT and the building inspector is still that not the building control officer,and muck is still muck ,never mortar
and we still call measurements in a mixture of imperial and metric
i.e a door opening 835 by 6'8"
mad world
LLL

Posted: **Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:35 pm**

Wow thanks guys, you really have put my mind at rest, I really was begining to think I had been stitched up!

The web is amazing.... alls I typed in was advice gravel drive.... then found this great site.

Well sorry to say.... may not post on here any more, you have done what I wanted and I thank you all very much!

All the best for the furture!

Posted: **Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:21 am**

Another satisfied customer, makes you feel good a?

The Brew Cabin

Gravel drive.... base... help - Advice please