The first question I’m sure you have is: what the heck is stone dust? Well, I can tell you that it’s not exactly stone, nor is it dust. It’s a coarser version of regular sand. Stone dust is the byproduct of crushed rocks. Gravel if you will. As the rock crusher crushes larger rocks, chips and edges of those larger rocks fall through the screen to create stone dust. This is the stuff that people use underneath pavers when they install those beautiful driveways you see all over the place. The reason they use it is because it packs like nothing else and becomes very firm once it’s settled in. And these attributes are exactly why I like to top our driveway with this material. It’s perfect for this type of thing, as long as the driveway is somewhat level. If it’s on a steep hill, some of it will likely wash away during heavy rain storms. If you have a hill for a driveway, you’ll want to get some 3/4 inch gravel instead. That won’t wash away.
Here’s a photo of some of the stone dust that I recently had delivered here at the house.
I purchased 18 yards of this material from E.L. Vining & Son down in Farmington, Maine a few days ago. It cost $12 per yard with free delivery. So the entire dump truck load was $200 and change. Not bad. What I’d like to do with it is top a few areas of the driveway as well as create a bridge over a small swampy area that’s tough to walk through in the woods. I need to make it dry so I can get back there with the ATV and trailer to haul out some firewood. I’ve got lots of firewood back there that needs to be liberated.
This is the pile of stone dust that was delivered. I wish I was standing next to it because it looks so small. There’s not much to relate it to.
I’m not sure of what type of rock this came from, but what I do know is that I bought about 20 yards last year for the driveway and it worked great. It’s very hard and I didn’t fling any rocks across the yard with the snowblower. That was a bonus.
I’ll get to the project back in the woods in a few days. I’ve got Ian coming over to help out with that on Friday, so that should be fun. We’ll be using the ATV, along with my new trailer to haul the material back there, so I’ll take lots of photos for you. What I’d like to show you today is the small repair job I did on the driveway. I still have a lot more to do, but this isn’t a bad start, considering it was the worst area. This is the area I used to get stuck in with the truck. The tires on one side would sink into the dirt as the winter progressed and the freeze/thaw would melt the snow and then freeze the water around my tires. Then, I’d try to drive the truck out of the driveway, only to realize that I was stuck. This has happened more than once and it’s such a pain. I don’t want it to ever happen again.
This is the summertime view of this bumpy part of the driveway.
There was gravel over this driveway at some point in the past. That’s since been pushed down into the dirt.
I’d say that is about six wheelbarrow loads in. I managed to fill in the worst part of the driveway along the edge. I didn’t think I was going to have to go so deep, but what the heck. May as well fix it correctly the first time.
And this is what it looks like after about 12 wheelbarrow loads. I forgot how back-breaking this type of work is. I kept wanting to quit for the day and then I said, “Just one more.” A few times.
After I smoothed this material with the rake, I walked all over it to pack it down. Then I smoothed it again. It’ll actually match the rest of the driveway once it rains. I know it looks brown now, but it’ll eventually turn blue like the stuff next to it.
Oh yeah, this is the chunk I took out of the pile to make this repair.
I’m going to head back out tomorrow to fix another area and then I have to pull the trailer forward so I can get underneath that. Then, the rest will go back in the woods. After all, that was my primary reason for getting this pile in the first place. Thanks for reading!
Part 2 of Driveway Repair
I did a lot of work outside on the driveway this afternoon. It’s strange – I thought I was actually becoming lazy over the summer. I didn’t want to do anything. The moment the heat and humidity disappeared though, I jumped out of my seat and ran outside to get things done. In the past month alone, I’ve completed so many small projects. I was actually going to push this driveway project off until the spring, but I knew I wouldn’t want to do it then either. I just decided to get it out of the way now. Plus, I really need to fill in the swamp trail back in the woods (that’s why I had the sand delivered in the first place). I’ll take lot of pics of that as it’s being completed.
Let’s see, where did I leave off? Oh yeah, I was about half way done with the driveway repair. I had about 15 more wheelbarrow loads left to finish up what I wanted to finish up. I do want to mention that I’ll be continuing on with the driveway if I find that I have remaining stone dust after we’re finished in the woods. I won’t write about the driveway anymore though. I don’t want to beat a dead horse.
Today’s goal was to finish spreading sand around in some parts that were farthest away from the house as well as to fill in under the trailer. For that, the trailer would need to be pulled from the spot it’s been sitting in for the past few years.
This is my 2008 Ford F250 and my 7’x14′ Arising Industries enclosed trailer. It’s such a sweet setup.
Look what moving the truck and trailer left behind. Ugh. It’s so ugly.
It’s difficult to see in this photo, but that dirt and old gravel area is all rutted up. The trailer was sinking into it. I couldn’t stand it any longer.
There was also a low part of the driveway that would puddle up as it rained. It got muddy, so I wanted to fill that area in with the sand as well. Take a look.
I first tackled the puddle area of the driveway. I’d say that took five wheelbarrow loads in all. Maybe six. I’ll tell you one thing, it doesn’t get any easier filling wheelbarrows with rock dust as you get older. Not one bit.
I then tackled the worst area. The one underneath where the trailer sat. This took no fewer than 12 wheelbarrow loads. It’s done though and the stone dust is nice and deep. You’ll see that in a later image.
I love looking at these photos. I don’t know who I’m writing this post for, you or me. Either way, the driveway now has a nice new thick layer of sand that will pack down as hard as rock. I love this rock dust.
Take a look at some photos of the driveway after I drove over it by backing the trailer into position.
I can’t tell you how good it feels to have both the truck and trailer not sinking into the old gravel anymore. That was horrible to see.
This is the Arising Industries enclosed trailer parked in its new spot, nice and high up. I love seeing this.
And finally, I’d say I used up about six of the 18 yards of material. I’ve definitely got enough for the woods tomorrow. That’s going to be fun. Until next time!
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