I have a driveway that's currently gravel but it has mostly washed away, turning into mud when it rains. The area is about 50 feet long and 7 feet wide. I'm trying to figure out if this is a labor-intensive project that I should hire someone for, or if it's something I could manage myself. I want to make sure that I can park without stepping in mud afterward, but I don't need it to look perfect—just functional. I'm located in Pittsburgh.
5 Answers
This is totally a DIY project! Just remember to focus on creating a good base layer beneath the gravel for proper drainage. I find these types of projects very rewarding!
For a thickness of about 4 inches, you'll need around 5 yards of gravel. It’s doable for someone who's moderately handy, but if you're more of a casual DIYer, you might want to consider hiring someone. Look for a gravel delivery service that can spread the material evenly as they unload. After that, just rake it and drive over it for a smooth finish!
I suggest a hybrid approach! You could ask the gravel delivery driver to spread it out for you; just tip them beforehand to save yourself some back pain. After that, you can finish it off with a rake, a wheelbarrow, and a shovel to get it just right. Just make sure there are no power lines overhead when you do this!
If you're just topping it off for a temporary fix, you can handle it yourself. But if you're looking to have a long-lasting, solid driveway, it might be better to hire someone who can excavate deeply and install proper drainage fabric first.
Great point! A deeper base makes all the difference in durability.
I recently spread 15 yards of stone over a much larger area, and while I used a tractor, it’s definitely something you can do with basic hand tools. Many landscape companies will offer a 'rolling dump' service, which means they'll drop the gravel in a way that makes spreading easier for you. Just check your local options!
Totally agree! Spreading it out as they deliver is a game changer. Makes the job way easier in the end.