Looking for parking pad top layer suggestion.

[OFC Ranger]

Specifically for my garage. I thought I was going to be satisfied with crusher run, but the place I got my 10,000lbs from, while priced great, just ended up having too many large rocks in. I didn't think much of it, thought after tamping it all it would work out.

I've raked out what I can, but I am still not happy with the uniformity. I want to add a small 1" layer of something on top that can still compact. So while pea gravel is cool and all, it will still get moved around just from being walked on.

I have been looking at granite dust. Do you think this is a good idea or do you have a better suggestion?

I mean I can do pea gravel (which is more expensive), but it will also have the added cost of mixing it with a binder like poly sand or similar.

If I go with granite dust, down the road when I get some spare pennies to throw at it, I can put down a bunch of 12x12x2 pavers to line the garage floor as that stuff is similar to paver sand and I don't have to worry about water since the pavers will be in the garage.

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[Trigganometry]

In the past we used pea stone cement as a top coat. About 2” thick. Spread out it gets wetted and rolled down. Stands up pretty nice

 

[Doc]

Specifically for my garage. I thought I was going to be satisfied with crusher run, but the place I got my 10,000lbs from, while priced great, just ended up having too many large rocks in. I didn't think much of it, thought after tamping it all it would work out.

I've raked out what I can, but I am still not happy with the uniformity. I want to add a small 1" layer of something on top that can still compact. So while pea gravel is cool and all, it will still get moved around just from being walked on.

I have been looking at granite dust. Do you think this is a good idea or do you have a better suggestion?

I mean I can do pea gravel (which is more expensive), but it will also have the added cost of mixing it with a binder like poly sand or similar.

If I go with granite dust, down the road when I get some spare pennies to throw at it, I can put down a bunch of 12x12x2 pavers to line the garage floor as that stuff is similar to paver sand and I don't have to worry about water since the pavers will be in the garage.

Maybe Epoxy ? Like they put in garages…

EDIT: I assumed you used bags of concrete mix…that’s why I suggested Epoxy … Regards

 

[slowmachine]

I have used rubber horse stall mats, laid over 3/4-minus gravel, for a temporary garage. I purchased from Tractor Supply Company, but any agricultural supply store should be able to get them.

Another option could be the plastic panels used for “green” driveways. Good drainage.

 

[Mcssls]

If it’s round and smooth rock it will always move more than crushed cracked and jagged

 

[OFC Ranger]

ive had granite dust driveways for many years and always had good luck with them when they are settled and packed.

did you use a mechanical tamper to really compact the rock you have now?
I used one during some landscaping and they work well. the area I was tamping (pounding ) literally compressed over an inch with one pass.
any larger rock it just drove into the layer like no ones business.

Going to go rent a 16" plate vibrator Monday morning and see what it looks like after that.

 

[nevada.tracy]

Specifically for my garage. I thought I was going to be satisfied with crusher run, but the place I got my 10,000lbs from, while priced great, just ended up having too many large rocks in. I didn't think much of it, thought after tamping it all it would work out.

I've raked out what I can, but I am still not happy with the uniformity. I want to add a small 1" layer of something on top that can still compact. So while pea gravel is cool and all, it will still get moved around just from being walked on.

I have been looking at granite dust. Do you think this is a good idea or do you have a better suggestion?

I mean I can do pea gravel (which is more expensive), but it will also have the added cost of mixing it with a binder like poly sand or similar.

If I go with granite dust, down the road when I get some spare pennies to throw at it, I can put down a bunch of 12x12x2 pavers to line the garage floor as that stuff is similar to paver sand and I don't have to worry about water since the pavers will be in the garage.

A concrete pad works too. If done right with proper thickness with a outdoor mix (4000lbs mix)with air. Don't forget the reinforcement rebar or wire mesh. Around here it's a little more than $100 a yard.

 

[nevada.tracy]

Going to go rent a 16" plate vibrator Monday morning and see what it looks like after that.

Plate tamper really only tamps approximately 1 inch down. Use plenty of water because dry sand ,dirt doesn't compact.

 

[OFC Ranger]

A concrete pad works too. If done right with proper thickness with a outdoor mix (4000lbs mix)with air. Don't forget the reinforcement rebar or wire mesh. Around here it's a little more than $100 a yard.

I'm not messing with concrete, the overall cost is much more than DIY with rock/dust/pavers. I sunk the money where it counts on this project. I ain't poor, but I ain't rich either. Plus I kind of dig the idea of pavers cause damage can be replaced in sections as needed. 2" thick pavers will work in this application if I go that route down the road, 2" of concrete will not, would require minimum 4".

 

[nevada.tracy]

I'm not messing with concrete, the overall cost is much more than DIY with rock/dust/pavers. I sunk the money where it counts on this project. I ain't poor, but I ain't rich either. Plus I kind of dig the idea of pavers cause damage can be replaced in sections as needed. 2" thick pavers will work in this application if I go that route down the road, 2" of concrete will not, would require minimum 4".

Concrete does cost more but if done correctly never have to replace. You are correct about 4" concrete though.

 

[OFC Ranger]

Concrete does cost more but if done correctly never have to replace. You are correct about 4" concrete though.

At the end of they day I can do 460sqft in pavers for around $600. The cost could actually probably be much less than this because really the only part I would want to paver is where the truck will park in the garage which will be the same 160 square feet every time. But I don't know what I'm going to do a well-tampered rock floor will work for a while yet till I decide.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I'm going to pick up a ton or two of granite screenings (or some call it "dust") on Friday from my local quarry. Shouldn't cost most than $60 max for the amount I need. I'll rent the 16" plate vibrator on Saturday. Should work out nicely.

I had considered grabbing a mix of the screenings and #8 stone, but I don't think it will be needed.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I'm going to pick up a ton or two of granite screenings (or some call it "dust") on Friday from my local quarry. Shouldn't cost most than $60 max for the amount I need. I'll rent the 16" plate vibrator on Saturday. Should work out nicely.

I had considered grabbing a mix of the screenings and #8 stone, but I don't think it will be needed.

Hi Jack,

When I did the patio extension past the bedroom, we put in the pavers after tamping the "dust" as you call it. Then lay the pavers. Once in place and tamped gently, we coated the top in sand and swept it, applies more sand and swept it around. It really locked the pavers in place....

 

[OFC Ranger]

Hi Jack,

When I did the patio extension past the bedroom, we put in the pavers after tamping the "dust" as you call it. Then lay the pavers. Once in place and tamped gently, we coated the top in sand and swept it, applies more sand and swept it around. It really locked the pavers in place....

Yup that is how you do it. Later down the road when i get a few extra pennies (about $600 or so) I plan to lay those plain old 12x12x2 gray pavers that are common to DIY stores. Only difference is I will use polymeric sand to brush into the cracks. Then you lightly spray the area with your hose.

Hardens up when it comes into contact with water. While not permanent like concrete, the polymeric sand is suppose to last in its hardened state for quite some time before it eventually starts turning back to loose sand.

 

[OFC Ranger]

The granite screenings did the trick. 1 ton spread across the top gave it a nice smooth finish after I gently raked out the big guys one final time and ran some water over it. Not to shabby for first time leveling such a large sonvabitch by hand. I learned some lessons along the way for sure. I am also definitely renting a mini-excavator for $265 for the day when I go to do the driveway connection. lol


I still have some various high spots to address and I am going in morning to get the plate vibrator. Getting close to where it needs to be, cause Im hoping anyday now to get that call and schedule my install.

I'll see if I need to grab another ton of the screenings after its compacted.

The last picture you can see that the front sloped "driveway". I am debating on splurging and spending the coin to install one of those garage in-ground trench gutter systems for the french drain that will eventually go in.

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