bonding agent for stone driveway - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rocknhammer · 09-21-2008, 07:59 AM

Hi my name is Mike and I am a long time lurker first time writer. Here is my question. I put down a 3/4" river rock driveway and there are soft spots that my tires leave a trail thru. Is there some kink of bonding agent I can add to the stone to help it. I used a plate compactor and that made most of the driveway solid, but there are several spot that still seem soft. The driveway is 5 to 6 inches of stone spread out over top soil. Any help would be appreciated

rocknhammer · 09-22-2008, 08:42 AM

OK, let me throw some things out, would sand help firm up the soft spots, could I drop dry cement and add water, maybe a commercial or asphalt roller. Any help would be appreciated

Cdat · 09-22-2008, 01:46 PM

You have nothing underneath but top soil? No limestone or paver base underneath? Nothing? What is holding all this together along the sides?

rocknhammer · 09-22-2008, 03:37 PM

Rail road ties and concrete.

concretemasonry · 09-22-2008, 04:05 PM

If you are on top soil or something that is not compacted you can expect settling and low spots.

The fact that you ,ay have a one size rock (3/4") there is nothing to give support. Clean 3/4" rock cannot be compacted.

thom · 09-28-2008, 06:25 PM

river stone doesn't want to solidify. Crushed stone works better. Crushed stone with a variety of sizes and sand works even better. Concrete works best.

In your situation, even with a solid base below the stone, it is unlikely you could get 5" to solidify. The smooth stones like to keep moving.