Temporary driveway surface?

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timbo1604

102 posts

Master Geek

#196306 26-May-2016 13:52

Hi all,

Had a metalled parking area put down on my backpackers hostel property at the end of summer, no problems there. As anticipated though, the grass leading up to the parking area is now getting a bit chopped up by cars because of the rain, etc. Money's a touch tight until next October when I can get the rest done so I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas what I can use as a temporary surface until then. It's getting quite muddy! I was thinking of some standard gravel or something but I'm worried it'll wash away too easily.

Cheers!

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

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#1560068 26-May-2016 14:08

Ive just used some cheap gap 40 for a parking area and the path leading up to it. Was told the big parts let it bed in easier without renting a compacter to flatten it, and other than where it gets a bit of wheelspin on it seems to be holding up great.

Richard rich.ms

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

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Vocus

#1560109 26-May-2016 15:43

How deep did you lay it? We have a dirt/gravel driveway and I strongly suspect there is not nearly enough gravel

richms

28168 posts

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#1560147 26-May-2016 16:06

Mine was hopelessly uneven so in parts it would be about 150mm and others its barely any. Its still packing down as it gets driven over so I need to spread some more ontop of it, but that will wait till its not too cold to be outside.

Richard rich.ms

Disrespective

1925 posts

Uber Geek

#1560159 26-May-2016 16:41

Some basic edging would help stop any gravel washing away for a wee while. I'd think 90x90 posts on the flat with small 45x45 stakes every meter or so would be enough to hold it all together if you're just doing a thin layer. Or perhaps just a paver bedded down nicely along the edge.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1560210 26-May-2016 18:24

richms:

Ive just used some cheap gap 40 for a parking area and the path leading up to it. Was told the big parts let it bed in easier without renting a compacter to flatten it, and other than where it gets a bit of wheelspin on it seems to be holding up great.

(G)AP20 or 40 do indeed compact down well into a firm surface - that's what they're for.

Warning though that they're a clay/aggregate mix, and in wet weather the clay will really stick to car tyres, shoe soles etc. I learned this the hard way after replacing sewers etc, those trenches filled with compacted AP20, over a winter it was not very pleasant at all - clay and tyre tracks for miles. It gets better for that as the surface clay washes out, but then it does start breaking up on the surface as the clay is binding the mix.

One of my projects for the next few months is to lay a new driveway (to replace a 50YO driveway which was already cracked, but further damaged in quakes).

I'm doing it the old way (concrete mixer). Cost will be about $50/m2. I'll save about $15-20,000 by DIY, cost of sweat not included.

skewt

750 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1560214 26-May-2016 18:25

Put some more gravel down and hire a compactor (Bunnings was $60ish for half a day)

I used a compactor on my driveway and its worked well

kingjj

1728 posts

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#1560220 26-May-2016 18:59

To give you an idea of cost if you choose to go the gravel route, we recently did an 18sqm area with A20 and than 10mm chip - total cost was $898 including excavation, dumping, edging, weedmat/spray, half a dozen cubic metres of A20/10mm chip and a compactor for a day. This was designed to be permanent though so obviously costs will drop if you decide to only do this temporarily (we dug down upwards of 280mm, if its temp you could probably get away with 100mm or even less).

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PhantomNVD

2619 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1560239 26-May-2016 19:58

Gobi block outline?

And then Gobi block completely when/if you can afford it.

Awesome product which beds down well, and if filled up with gravel will hold it forever too :)

chimera

506 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1560244 26-May-2016 20:23

Gap40 as others suggested BUT also get it with a crushed limestone mix which will help harden.

I'm in a similar boat, driveway up to house is concrete but then parking and turning area is gap40 metal at the moment (about 100sqm worth). Quite large, hence why I've held off so long on concreting. Not to mention Auckland Council consent to get new slab plus double carport and driveway laid plus associated drainage - may as well get a 2nd mortgage just for the council, bloody rip off!

nickb800

2715 posts

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Trusted

#1560250 26-May-2016 20:36

+1 for AP20 plus compaction.

Cost me $40 to hire a plate compactor for 1/2 day and $78 per m3 of AP20

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1562897 31-May-2016 11:25

Another option that can sometimes be cheaper - recycled concrete that gets crushed up by concrete suppliers.