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Soil eroding from steep concrete drive

17 years ago

Driveway: Approximately 250 feet long concrete driveway in very good condition. Not very old. The drive is STEEP... don't know the angle, but I wouldn't want to ride a bicycle up it!

PROBLEM: Soil is eroding from the sides of the driveway due to improper drainage. The lawn goes DOWN to the driveway and rainwater simply runs down the edges of the drive, taking away soil from the sides and soon, underneath the drive! You can actually see the full depth of the concrete in areas, and almost underneath it! Something's gotta give!

SOLUTIONS and SUGGESTIONS ANYBODY??? Now that there are "ditches" that run along either side, do I fill them with soil? Do I try to force material under the drive? French drains along the drive?

I've done some searching and haven't found any really relevant examples... but then maybe my search skills aren't the best!

Thanking you in advance...

Steve

Comments (4)

maryland_irisman
17 years ago
Steve, I've solved this problem many times and I hope this solution works for you.
1..purchase the rubber or plastic garden edging that is about 4 inches deep. Install it along the entire length of the driveway, snug against the concrete. It will come in sections and can be fitted together. 2...Now on the outer edge, add decorative stone, crusher run, river rock...which ever you like best but DON'T use P-gravel. Come out at least 6 inches and 2 inches deep and lightly tamp it in.. This will serve to break up the stream of water and minimize the erosion effect. The thin bead on top of the edging will nicely define the edge of the driveway and guide the water nicely down the edges of the driveway, that falls onto the concrete itself. The other side of the edging will guide the water down without letting any to wash out under the driveway. I like this because you can ride over it with a mower to go from one side of the driveway to the other without hitting the rocks or edging with the blade. If the look of stone doesn't appeal to you, you can plant a low growing plant, such as Periwinkle (stays green all winter too).
sem67
Original Author
17 years ago
Maryland... thanks for the tips!! I'm excited about this!! Sounds within my capabilities... should do the trick and look good too! I'm going to print out your suggestions right now. I really appreciate your response... many thanks!

Steve
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You have not said how steep your hill is. You can have very steep hills that do not erode without adding man made structures. The key is to keep every inch of the ground well covered with plants. Usually you will only see bare erosion spots if water is rushing down a specific point. You mentioned the down spouts, but it is not likely that they would cause the whole hill to erode. You might think about grading the flat back yard a bit so that all the water flows down to one point. Then at this one point, create a rock slide using larger rocks so that the water does not move the rocks. In effect you create a water fall but add enough large rocks so that it prevents erosion. the rocks don't have to be too big, just big enough and irregular enough so that they are stable. I have a slope on my property that is very steep - probably drops 10 ft for every 5 ft. It is made up of rock and soil covered with grass/weeds/golden rod. No errosion at all.
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It's the case that this slope shouldn't be a dirt surface at all. The natural/normal surface finish for a dirt surface is a solid covering of plants. But plants can't grow under a dark, never-rained-on overhang like this. The solution is exactly the same as for what is placed under a freeway overpass on a sloping grade: a sloping concrete slab. Frequently, the slab is scored with jointing tools in order to mimic large blocks of cut stone. The upper portion (blue) could be boxed in but it should be with masonry abutting the steps because there will be water. The part facing us could be wood, even lattice. Or, at the top of the slope, it could be just an open concrete "shelf." The sloping portion is the concrete slab and it should be above the grade of the steps, as a cheek wall. Though it slopes primarily in a line parallel to the garage wall, it should have a slight cross slope away from the wall and toward the steps. If this is DIY it's easily within the scope of most people's capabilities. One would need only a saw, hammer, nails and a little lumber for forming up ... and not to get the concrete mix too wet so that it holds its shape. The soil should be tamped firmly first. Kids love sloping concrete.
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maryland_irisman
17 years ago
sem67
Thanks for the compliment! As you get started on the project, feel free to email me if you run into any snags or, have questions.
socks
17 years ago
You are wise to address this problem before it gets worse. You might also think about the drainage around your yard and home and try to redirect water away from the driveway. Especially check the rain gutters on your home and make sure water in them is not somehow going towards the driveway.

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