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Oxblood
Site Supporter
Location: seattle Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 Posts: 182
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I want to put a 5-6 wide gravel strip next to the street in front of my house. Grass has never done well there, and people park on it, anyway, so I figured I might as well make it a proper parking area. There is no sidewalk or curb, and the area is relatively flat (no big slopes to worry about).
I am think I should dig down about 6", lay some heavy duty woven landscape fabric, then a base layer of ....this is the part I don't know. I don't anticipate it being parked on regularly, and not by anything heavier than a typical passenger car.
So what should I use ? Compacted 3/4 minus? Something else? Drainage is important.
On top of the base layer, I'd like to place something a little more attractive- do I need any sort of layer between the different layers of gravel?
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 2:03 pm |
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L_O_G
Site Supporter
Location: South Seattle Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 Posts: 13486
Real Name: JP
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5/8" minus is what I have as the base layer in my driveway. Packs good, allows drainage.
_________________ Yes I Do Have A Beautiful Daughter.. I Also Have A Gun, A Shovel, & An Alibi
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 2:12 pm |
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RocketScott
Site Supporter
Location: Kentucky Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 Posts: 11087
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+1 for 5/8 minus
And you're not building a parking space, that would probably require a permit
You're hardscaping an area that doesn't lend itself to softscape thereby controlling erosion, for the salmon
_________________ You may be right, I may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 3:55 pm |
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Massivedesign
Site Admin
Location: Olympia, WA Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 Posts: 38307
Real Name: Dan
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RocketScott wrote: +1 for 5/8 minus
And you're not building a parking space, that would probably require a permit
You're hardscaping an area that doesn't lend itself to softscape thereby controlling erosion, for the salmon
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 3:57 pm |
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KeystoneCowboy
Site Supporter
Location: Burlington Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 Posts: 5999
Real Name: Kyle
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Fabric is a waste. Just throw down your 5/8" minus and get it wet, plate compact it. It will be golden. Spray once a year or so and that's all you need.
_________________ Looking for: S&W Schofield 2x (.38/357) Coonan 1911 Nemo Omen JM Marlin 39M Tikka T3 Tactical(.308) BAR(.308)
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:18 pm |
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Old Growth
Site Supporter
Location: Nisqually Valley Joined: Wed Oct 5, 2016 Posts: 4834
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5/8 minus packed over dirt does not drain well. 3/4 to 1-1/4 clean for a base and then 5/8 minus over that if you want a smooth packed top course.
You dont need 6" of rock. Thats a waste of materials. Only a 2-3 spread over a solid base or 2-3" of base and 1-2" of top course if its not real solid to start with.
No need for fabric.
Is the proposed area solid of squishy?
Last edited by Old Growth on Mon Dec 19, 2022 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 9:56 pm |
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Old Growth
Site Supporter
Location: Nisqually Valley Joined: Wed Oct 5, 2016 Posts: 4834
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A before and after of a 1400’ road we just punched in. Blue basalt.
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Mon Dec 19, 2022 10:03 pm |
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KeystoneCowboy
Site Supporter
Location: Burlington Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2012 Posts: 5999
Real Name: Kyle
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OG is right. The 5/8minus won't drain. Just because it won't drain through well, doesn't mean you will have standing water however. Is it below street level? If you have some fall to the road, the water will drain there. Make sure you are high in center, and fall to the sides. Let the water run out and away from your property.
_________________ Looking for: S&W Schofield 2x (.38/357) Coonan 1911 Nemo Omen JM Marlin 39M Tikka T3 Tactical(.308) BAR(.308)
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Tue Dec 20, 2022 5:16 am |
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xman
Location: washington Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 Posts: 457
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I would do 3/4" crushed and cleaned.
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Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:11 am |
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bullittman
Site Supporter
Location: So King Co Joined: Sun Dec 4, 2011 Posts: 380
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like others have said....5/8 minus and compacted.............throwing down some Preen now and then won't hurt either...........
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Tue Dec 20, 2022 9:28 am |
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