Patching holes in driveway.?

Question

I a have a gravel driveway. It is on a slope.

There are holes in the driveway which are down to the clay. I live in southwest Georgia. When wet, the clay is easy to dig into, making the holes deeper.

Eventually, I would like to pave the driveway, but this is not currently in the budget and may not be for another few years (several months at best).

As heat is in the 90's, I need something that can be done quickly. As I work long hours and I work 5-6 days a week (Sunday off, plus usually a day off during the week. I work on Saturday.) I need something that can be done in one day.

If your suggestion involves concrete, please be as specific as possible, as our local Lowe's has over half a dozen varieties of Qwikrete, as well as similar products.

I live in a relatively small town. I need something that can purchased at Lowe's, Wal-Mart, or a locally owned hardware or garden supply store.

Whatwould be a good temporary (1 year or so) fix?

Answer 1

You need to decide if you want water to drain through(gravel) or to run off (stone dust). Your local stone yard or garden store can help. You should do some research on stone yards in your area. Much of the cost will likely be delivery charges if it is a small amount  (<1/2 cubic yard)so bags may be better in that case. You will want to have a wheelbarrow and shovel handy if a larger amount is needed. For short term i wouldn't use concrete beacause you will just have to break it up later

Paving is all or nothing so don't go there yet.

Answer 2

dig out several inches if clay and fill the hole with bigger stones like # 3 or #4 stone to about 3 inches from the top and fill the rest of the way with a gravel mix of sand and stone this will give you a good base so it can be paved in a year or so

Answer 3

try filling the large holes with slag or at least 1"stone and then put smaller stone on the top

Answer 4

Try a large gravel or rock 1"-2" in the bottom to bridge across the soft stuff.  The pumping of the soft material underneath is whats causing those spots to happen.  Then top it with small gravel with fines in it.  The finer the more it will pack down.  Then hit it with a vibratory plate compactor from the local rental store.

Answer 5

On a sloped driveway?   Piecemeal is gonna always be piecemeal.  You are spinning out in those areas creating the holes (most likely)(or turning the steering wheel hard).   You will want to pave the whole thing not just the holes.   The only thing you can do is experiment with the size of gravel you have on the driveway using 1/2" crush w/sand maybe because of its ability to pack.  Other places I have worked on which are clay had the whole driveway done in concrete.

Answer 6

Without going through a lot of trouble to correct the underlying problem of the clay subsurface, you are best off just getting some gravel mix and filling in as needed until you are ready to tackle the whole driveway.