puddle in wrong place ...

oneokie · #21 03/15/10, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

I cannot express my appreciation enough for the patience shown here. I am so very grateful.

This might work! I am certainly leaning toward doing this. My concern is that the larger rock might eventually slip into the area where the water is running toward our pond area; and if that occurs, the water flow might eventually find a different route and thereby negate any possibility of our having a pond.

The larger rock will not migrate any direction but down. Unless there is a siesmic event that moves the entire area. With the large rock, there will be spaces between them that will allow water to flow.

I would suggest you do some research on geology and hydrology. Both are what have influence on your problem with the puddle in the driveway.

motdaugrnds · #22 03/15/10, 01:49 PM

Thank you. I found both geology and hydrology interesting. My belief about water flow underground was confirmed by hydrology "underground" I read.

I am thinking I might do the following (simply because I can do this myself without hiring a backhoe): We have several piles of rocks I have collected over the years that are anywhere from 5-10+ inches large. I am thinking I might dig this entire puddle area down 2-3 ft. deep, place a layer or two of these rocks in there and then cover the rocks with my drain cloth. (Have drain cloth left from repairing our retainer wall.) Then place a rather thick layer of 1-2" rock over the cloth. (Can get this off top of our gravel pile as smaller pieces have traveled to bottom of the pile already.) Then maybe add another layer of drain cloth and cover this with #57 gravel. Then fill in rest of hole with soil taken out of it.....maybe adding another layer of driveway gravel over this. I do realize this will not "drain" the water from that area; but hopefully, it won't impede its continuing to travel too much and just might stop the concave from reoccurring. Any comments about this idea?

**Cabin Fever** · #23 03/15/10, 02:08 PM

Based on your last post, I wouldn;t do any excavating unless you know that there is stable material that you are excavting to. If not, my suggestion would be to simply put down the geotextile fabric FIRST and then pile your gradation of rock to gravel on top of the fabric. The fabric helps to keep the rock/gravel from being swallowed up by the wet soil. Rock put below the fabric will just be lost to the abyss.

rambler · #24 03/15/10, 02:38 PM

If you are going to dig, dig in the drainage tile. Best use of digging skills.

Otherwise, as Cabin says, put down the cloth, put down the rock, put down the gravel. No digging, and no soil in the middle. Big rock on the bottom, smaller rock in the middle, gravel on the top. You don't want soil in the middle as a sandwitch. You want a gaduated big rock on the bottom, smaller gravel on top. The cloth keeps thing from sinking down, and the dirt ooze from squishing up, so you want it on the bottom of the big rock.

Anyhow 'here', in our types of soil. Conditions can be different 'there'.

--->Paul

motdaugrnds · #25 03/15/10, 10:22 PM

Thank you Cabin and Rambler. I wasn't looking forward to anymore digging (still working on a retainer wall that fell over ... so-called "professionals" put it in a couple of years ago).

Well, I have not tried the cloth nor have I tried the large rock in that puddle; so might as well give it a go. If it works, it will save me a great deal of back-breaking work. If it doesn't, I will know in a few years. (Wondering if I should sandwitch the rock between the cloth, i.e. cloth on bottom and top of layered rock; then gravel over that....)

Trusting the cloth will keep anything put in that puddle from settling in so far it hampers the water flow under there.

You two and oneokie have all three been so patient and helpful. I am grateful!

**Cabin Fever** · #26 03/16/10, 08:18 AM

The only benefit of using a layer of fabric between the rock and gravel would be to keep the gravel from filtering down into the rock. Personally, I'd not use a second layer of fabric and let as much gravel as possible filter down between the rocks.

Make sure you are using an appropriate fabric below your rock & gravel. Here's an example of the type that should be used ==> Woven Geotextiles For Stabilization & Separation.

motdaugrnds · #27 03/16/10, 08:36 AM

Thank you Cabin. I will be reading much from that site. At the moment, it seems quite confusing as there are so many geotextiles to choose from.

The mesh sheeting I have now (that I've been using around my fruit trees as well as around the gravel at the retainer wall) is black in color and thin rubbery stuff. It lets water filter through; but not soil. Since the label is already off the roll, I don't know exactly what it is called. I got it in the landscaping area at Lowe's.

**Cabin Fever** · #28 03/16/10, 08:52 AM

In my opinion, the "Driveway Fabric (US 200) would be sufficient for your circumstances....unless you're planning to drive a lot of heavy equipment on it.

puddle in wrong place ... - Homesteading Questions

puddle in wrong place ... - Homesteading Questions

motdaugrnds · #29 03/16/10, 09:13 AM

It is looking like the "woven geotextiles for stabilization & separation" (US 315 Class 1) may be what I need here. (We periodically have very heavy trucks deliver oil, gravel, agricultural lime, even cinder block on occasions.)

I am wondering if I can find "sheets" (5' x 5' or close) of this material at Lowe's.

**Cabin Fever** · #30 03/16/10, 09:23 AM

You're right, US 315 would be a better choice for your application. I doubt if Lowes or any other big box building center will carry this product. You may have to contact the company directly.

I did find one webpage that said a 15' x 300' roll of US 315 cost $560, not including shipping.

motdaugrnds · #31 03/16/10, 09:31 AM

Yikes, that is waaaay too large and the cost negates using it.

I did send them an e'mail about it.

(I may have to just use what I have and lay down several layers of it.)

**Cabin Fever** · #32 03/16/10, 10:07 AM

The Company may sell you just what you need....or maybe give you a name of a construction firm near you that uses the fabric.

If not, check around with some of the road construction companies in your area and ask if you could buy some heavy-duty geotextile farbic from them.

motdaugrnds · #33 03/16/10, 06:06 PM

Yes, Cabin, thank you for that suggestion. I will do it.

motdaugrnds · #34 03/18/10, 06:28 PM

I found a construction company near me that uses "heavy duty geotextile fabric" and the ower was very courteous and kind. He is selling me a 6' x 6' piece of this material for under $10.00, which includes tax. I will be picking it up when I take my son in next week to the dentist.

This fabric plus the large (and various sized) rocks I have collected should take care of this puddle.

I am grateful for all the help I have received in this forum. Thank you all.

**Cabin Fever** · #35 03/19/10, 07:52 AM

Congradulations of the fine!

I would make sure that the fabric and fill go well beyond the perimeter of your wet spot. If your wet spot is 5' by 5', I'd work an area of at least 8' x 8', better would be 10' x 10'.

motdaugrnds · #36 03/19/10, 07:18 PM

I measured it today. The area is just under 4' x 4'. I suspect he has already cut the 6' x 6' I asked for; so I don't want to bother him about it. Hopefully this will work well.