How to fix hole in driveway?

[lexigerber]

 

  plumbers left a hole in my driveway and because I won’t use weed killer (I have dogs) the strip down the centre is terrible. I wanted to lay something like pebblecrete but that would mean first laying concrete. Any ideas what I can do to fix this? 

[EricL]

Hello @lexigerber 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about fixing your driveway.

My first suggestion is to cover up the section that has been dug up and covered back with soil instead of putting the pavers back in at the entrance. If you still have the pavers for that section, I recommend putting it back in. But if you don't have the pavers for it, would you happen to know where to source an equivalent. If not, I suggest getting pavers from the far end of the driveway at the very back of the house. Those sections can be covered up or replaced with lawn. 

Once the front section has been fixed, I suggest giving the surface a thorough clean with a pressure washer and treated with 30 Seconds 5L Outdoor Cleaner Concentrate and scrubbed with a bristle brush. When you've finished cleaning, I propose removing the old pebbles and re-digging the channel and replacing it with white pebbles. I also recommend removing the square pavers and replacing them with a brighter one such as the Brighton Masonry 400 x 400 x 40mm Cream Mypave Paver.

With just a little bit of repair and replacement your driveway will look good again.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @lexigerber 

My solutions are on similar ones to @EricL. and will still require some form of on-going maintenance. Note that there are many ways to control weeds without the use of chemicals. Boiling water from a jug for one.

1. Apply the 30 Seconds 5L Outdoor cleaner and then use/hire a pressure washer to clean the driveway

2. Remove all of the centre soil, stones and pavers and rough level the area

3A. Lay weed mat down. Back-fill with the old pebbles roughly washed and make up the difference with additional, but could be a different colour.

3B. Fill with soil and plant lawn seed

3C. Fill with instant turf following these instructions.

Any of these ideas will give the driveway a nice fresh and clean look. It will stay that way with regular maintenance.

Regards Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Morning @lexigerber 

I hate sifting out pebbles I have had to do it so many times its not funny and Im still fuinding them in my garden beds.

Why not pave the middle? Its not solid concrete, dosnt have to be as the outside strips carry the load. It would remove the chance of weeds in a large way. You would have to dig out those pebbles and lay down some road base/sand but really that would be all.

The section in front that the plumbers had to remove, I would be tempted to go to the effort of putting a concrete slab section back in. It carries all the weight aspeople drive in and out so pavvers alone I think would deform over time.

Dave

[Noyade]

Could be my eyes.

But there are no pavers here?

Stenciled concrete - hence the 'jagged' edge seen at top left?

Looks similar to this stencil?