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Posted by John on September 1, 2007, 3:13 pm
>>
>> > >I have a rental property in need of a driveway. The property borders
>> > >wetlands, thus, the ground is very soft in the spring. I would like to
>> > >install an asphalt driveway, but I'm afraid it would fail in a short
>> > >amount of time due to ground conditions.
>>
>> > >I am wondering if I could do the driveway in two phases. The first
>> > >phase would be to dig out the soft ground and fill with gravel or
>> > >other suitable material for the base. In the spring after the winter
>> > >thaw, if the ground settles, I can top off the base with additional
>> > >gravel and re-compact. Phase two would be to lay the asphalt after
>> > >all/most of settling had stopped. Is this feasable? Thanks...
>>
>> > Sounds like a reasonable plan. You may have to remove a lot of soil.
>> > You want to get the topsoil off and any soil with organic material
>> > content since it will eventually decompose. They make geotextile
>> > fabric (kind of weed block on steroids) that you should lay down
>> > before the gravel to help keep the base from sinking into the soil.
>> > If the finished height can be somewhat above the surrounding ground
>> > level that will help with drainage, and you may need drains along the
>> > sides to keep water out of the base. Start with large size gravel on
>> > the bottom. Spread and compact the gravel in no more than about 4"
>> > thick lifts or it won't compact well.
>>
>> > You need a good asphalt contractor that knows how to build a good base
>> > in wet areas.
>>
>> > Good luck,
>>
>> > Paul F.
>>
>> if the area freezes use drain pipe to get any water away from under
>> and in the gravel.
>>
>> on initial dig out go very deep and use lots of gravel.
>>
>> see how it looks in the spring, if it moves a lot then go with tar and
>> chip.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
>
> The idea of removing the soft material until you get to solid earth
> and then backfilling with appropriate material is correct. And
> waiting 6 months to then do the ashphalt can't hurt, but if the
> material is properly compacted as it's put down, it can be done right
> away. This is done in construciton all the time. Depending on how
> deep your soft layer is, this could be quite expensive. Also, as
> someone else pointed out, there is the question of groundwater. If
> the natural water table of this is very high, you may still have a
> problem, if the water is high enough that it comes up under the
> asphalt and then freezes. Mention was made of adding drains and that
> is good, assuming there is somewhere for the water to drain to.
>
You will need to install a drain first, this is a must. As an owner of a
sealcoating company I have seen the damage from the water seeping through
many times. Over time this will create potholes and large cracks. You will
need several inches of gravel and then the asphalt. Shop around and get
several bids as they can vary quite widely. After about 90 days you will
want to get your driveway seal coated.
--
John
http://www.cjsealing.com/help.htm
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