29
votes
Filling post holes where fence was removed - suburban backyard environment
Why use any gravel? Fill entirely with soil.
- 20.9k
13
votes
Accepted
What Kind of Wooden Beam is this
"Landscape Timber" or, sometimes, "used railroad tie" - but "landscape timber" is what you'll find at most typical lumber suppliers.
They will typically last several years - if well pressure-treated,...
- 201k
10
votes
Accepted
Does the quality of fill dirt matter?
If you were pouring a slab over this -- and required decades of stability -- you might need to worry about your fill. Organic matter and other debris that will break down over time is appropriate for ...
- 3,393
8
votes
Accepted
Is this gravel stabilizing underlament an effective product?
Yes, it is used in construction somewhat commonly. There are a couple of different situations where I have personally be involved with its use:
Soil stabilization for large fills - In areas where the ...
- 230
8
votes
Filling post holes where fence was removed - suburban backyard environment
I would not recommend filling with gravel. Just think about if you ever need to dig at the same spot again, it will just be a hassle. Also gravel costs money and needs to be transported home. I would ...
- 346
6
votes
Setting fence post in gravel/backfill?
I watched my fence installers and there where some areas that had a lot of stone. They would take a pointed metal rod and jam it into the hole to loosen up the rock and then use the post hole digger ...
- 4,135
6
votes
Setting fence post in gravel/backfill?
First and foremost, will setting two posts in concrete behind this wall create any structural risk to the wall?
You will not be adding any loads to the retaining wall that are of much concern. The ...
- 5,709
5
votes
What to use to harden up a gravel driveway
What shape is the gravel? Go look at railroad ballast, you want that stuff, aka "crushed stone", very jaggy and will interlock when tamped down. Very hard to shovel for that reason. You want a ...
5
votes
Setting fence post in gravel/backfill?
Once it's in place most gravel is not all that mobile, but it's also not hard to dig.
I would not bother with a power auger, a clamshell posthole digger should get it done easily. I've just revisited ...
- 201k
5
votes
Does the quality of fill dirt matter?
The cinderblock chunks are not a big deal, they just speak to the source of your "dirt" "fill", "not particularly 'clean' fill" or whatever you want to call it.
But sod ...
- 201k
4
votes
Tamped Gravel on fence posts and Frost Line?
A 24-inch depth works well for a 4-foot tall fence, but a fence that is 6 feet high should have posts sunk 3 feet deep or more. So dependent on the fence height above ground you may need to go with ...
- 1,593
4
votes
What's the best tool for shoveling gravel?
For the top half or so of the pile, I first create a small indentation at the bottom of the pile with a shovel. This lets me drive my wheelbarrow right into the pile and then I can simply rake gravel ...
- 41
4
votes
Is this gravel stabilizing underlament an effective product?
There was an episode of This Old House where they used it to make a patch of grass that could be driven over. They filled the holes with soil, and then put sod over the top. I'm not sure if this is ...
- 3,452
4
votes
Critter dug gravel out from under my barn's cement slab
Mix up a wet slurry of cement, sand and gravel and pour it in, then make some a little less wet and pack it in.
- 35.1k
4
votes
Critter dug gravel out from under my barn's cement slab
Unless you have concentrated loads there (commercial vehicle traffic, etc.), don't worry about it. Shovel what you can back in and be happy (assuming that you can plainly see the extent of the ...
- 129k
4
votes
What Kind of Wooden Beam is this
The answer is RAILROAD TIES.
The timbers in your photo are Railroad Ties. The railroad will change the ties on a regular basis. They are impregnated with creosote and as a result they are very heavy. ...
- 13.5k
4
votes
Does the quality of fill dirt matter?
The type of material you use for the base of a patio or slab maters.
Can you fill voids or bring up to grade (minus gravel depth) and compact with dirt/soil. Yes, with some kinds of dirt/soil, if ...
- 13.5k
3
votes
Accepted
Best way to fill a pothole in asphalt
Cold patch asphalt repair can be packed into holes and stands up well for standard car/truck use. If the hole is really deep you can pack crushed rock to fill the hole and save some $. I would not use ...
- 102k
3
votes
What to use to harden up a gravel driveway
You could use a plate compactor and attempt to compact the gravel into the soil to provide a firm base. Take a look at this similar post for good suggestions.
- 71
3
votes
Is this gravel stabilizing underlament an effective product?
I haven't used it & only saw it here or there, but a whopping 1-minute of familiarization showed it has some pretty awesome claims. However, it would seem to be mostly for water management. If you ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
Accepted
2a modified crushed stone vs minus gravel
Generally anything that is "modified" means it has some limestone dust mixed with it, the idea is that once it is compacted, over time as rainwater falls on it, the water works down through ...
- 1,777
3
votes
Gravel inside concrete form or form on top of gravel?
The problem with just pouring a flat slab is the rock can migrate out if above grade. If this pad base will be at grade or below so the rock can not migrate it will be fine to leave it flat. If you ...
- 102k
3
votes
French Drain or solid PVC pipe
A solid pipe will do no good as a French drain. If draining water away from a foundation I use a perf pipe in a “sock” the sock prevents dirt migration but allows the water to drain.
- 102k
3
votes
Can I use gravel as fill between concrete slabs?
As folks have commented, this is absurdly wrong-headed and more likely to cause complete failure than to correct your barn floor.
There are folks that specialize in jacking barns back into shape. This ...
- 201k
2
votes
Can I build a deck this low to the ground?
For anyone in the future, in most areas with not insignificant snowfall this is not code. Upwards of 6" of clearance above ground level (grade) is required to minimize moisture rot, specifically, ...
- 509
2
votes
DIY way to wash sand/clay out of driveway gravel?
I have a lovely white gravel walkway that's become fouled with dirt and dust over the years, and have thought a fair bit about how to clean it. I haven't found any really good answers but...
To ...
2
votes
Can I use sealer over recycled asphalt to retain it?
No. Sealer isn't nearly strong enough to support the tremendous tearing forces at play.
Instead, watch your local community sale websites for used or leftover concrete pavers. You want the heavy ...
- 129k
2
votes
Can I use sealer over recycled asphalt to retain it?
My boyfriend has a driveway with a crushed run base, #57 stone topped on that, recycled pavement dust over that, with bagged asphalt for the top layer. He got it to fuse using 1 part gasoline* to 2 ...
2
votes
What is 1" minus recycled concrete mean and does it also include stone sizes smaller than 1"?
Concrete is a mixture of cement (Portland Cement), water and aggregate (rocks).
Strength of concrete is largely based on the aggregate: size, blend, grade (hardness), etc. Crushed rocks are used in ...
- 23.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible