evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

I know it is an odd title but couldnt think of any other way of putting it. I have taken up my front garden/grass and i am about to order gravel to put down so that it can be used as off road parking from time to time. The problem i have is the ground beneath could be quite soft so i need something to put down under the weed guard before the stones go down to help distribute the weight of the car.

The best idea i have at the moment is cutting the bottom out of a number of bread crates and embeding these in the soil. They are very strong and each one will cover an area of about 3 ft2. I can get hold of a few but not enough. So is there a cheap or free alternative i havnt thought of that will be strong enough??

Over to you peeps!

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Broken up rubble with compacted sand over the top of it?

Rally fan 555

iTrader: (7)

I agree a good layer of hard core, that's what's under my chippings - and had no issues for 5 years or so. Very little weed growth too, which is good as I didn't use a membrane to cover the soil. We dug out about 4 - 5 inches of topsoil and filled with hard core, then chipping mix over that.

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking hardcore in the first place but it is quite expensive these days so was looking for something else??

mervil

iTrader: (5)

As long as the stones are compacted it shouldn't be a problem Ian

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

I was thinking that may be the case but wanted to be double safe.

RB211

Why not try concrete blocks laid side down, has worked for many years on numerous properties around the UK.

Hope the thought helps

Mark

Gregsti01

iTrader: (1)

Two rows of paving slabs set in 5" rough sand it is all about spreading the load

trell

Wider tyres,

Stop the sinking and beeter conering 2 birds 1 stone lol

KJD Mk1

iTrader: (3)

Do it right the 1st time and forget it.
Excavate 150mm, place and compact 100mm builders rubble or scalpings, cap with 50mm sub base and compact again. Lay a covering layer of crushed flint for a smart looking self draining and long lasting cheap driveway.

Forget bread crates waste of time IMO.

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

I know what you are saying Kev, its just that the budget is already stretched to the max. I already have a drive and decided to get rid of the grass as it was getting on my ****, thats the main reason i am putting gravel down to be honest. It wont be a dedicated parking area, just there for the odd occassion when i may need extra space and when i can afford it the whole drive/garden is coming up for cobbles so didnt want to put too much cash/time into it anyway.

I have moved a lot of rubble from the rear garden over the past few months and used it as backfill at the bottom of the garden but i have started moving some of this to the front to make the ground more solid. I hope that will do the trick but if it doesnt work it will just have to remain decorative for the forseable.

Thanks for the advice gents, i will let you know how it turns out

patmo498

iTrader: (1)

hi mate.

the other half said park on the road. that's cheaper

i say larger stones and how about putting the black material you put under stones to stop weeds growing.

hope that helps

andrew

53

iTrader: (41)

+1 and any old bricks you have laying around

Neighbour over the road has just done his main drive with this stuff...

http://www.treespirals.com/sitebuild...70brochure.pdf

Bread crates was a good idea btw

alphaj12

as above paving slabs, can you not get them for about 59p each these days

evil.soup

iTrader: (1)

Job done now gents. I have packed in with stones the best i could and used weed guard, its not a bad finish to be honest. Im yet to try parking a car on it though, as said its only for when i am short of extra space etc. Im quite happy with it though.

53WRX, those hex sheets were what gave me the idea of the bread crates, shame i couldnt get a few.