hardstanding help............

[cob&onion]

Another hardstanding question from me!

Stables/field shelter is 36 x 12 ft. They will be sitting on hardstanding. I am planning on extending hardstanding acoross the top line of the fence next to the shelter so hardstanding area uncovered will be approx 42ft wide and (including the 36ft shelter part) 70ft x 20ft - the field is mainly clay and really holds the water.
What would be the best stone to use? have been told limestone rather than dewstone as its softer and not as sharp? what stone do you have and what size down is the stone? how far down dig you dig to lay it did you use a membrane or straight on the surface?

Thanks

 

[cob&onion]

bump

 

[LynH]

Hi. I'm just having a new yard built on a concrete base but with an area of hard standing in front. I can't remember exactly what material is being used but I will ask the builders tomorrow and let you know. I think they said scalpings but will check.

 

[Dry Rot]

How long is a piece of string?

What happens to the surface water after a prolonged period of rain? Where does the water naturally drain to?

There is a natural water level. Normally, that is below the surface. In a flood, it will be above ground level. Farmers have known about drainage for thousands of years and they have dug ditches and laid drains to remove that subsoil water and lower the water table.

The proper thing to do is to dig a hole and see where your water table is around the year. To lower it, you may have to dig a trench and bury some perforated corrugated plastic drainage pipe so the water can discharge to a nearby ditch, lower ground,or into existing drains. It is usual to back fill with gravel to allow free drainage. Then, remove the top soil to about 150mm and lay a foundation of crushed stone, finishing the surface with finer stuff for your hard standing, then roll or consolidate that.

You might get away with a lot less than this! I've laid the drainage pipe, then simply laid about 100mm of pea gravel outside my stables. So far, so good.

 

[cob&onion]

How long is a piece of string?

What happens to the surface water after a prolonged period of rain? Where does the water naturally drain to?

There is a natural water level. Normally, that is below the surface. In a flood, it will be above ground level. Farmers have known about drainage for thousands of years and they have dug ditches and laid drains to remove that subsoil water and lower the water table.

The proper thing to do is to dig a hole and see where your water table is around the year. To lower it, you may have to dig a trench and bury some perforated corrugated plastic drainage pipe so the water can discharge to a nearby ditch, lower ground,or into existing drains. It is usual to back fill with gravel to allow free drainage. Then, remove the top soil to about 150mm and lay a foundation of crushed stone, finishing the surface with finer stuff for your hard standing, then roll or consolidate that.

You might get away with a lot less than this! I've laid the drainage pipe, then simply laid about 100mm of pea gravel outside my stables. So far, so good.

What am thinking:


Dig about 2" down and lay the 3" crusher run stone
Top with finer scalpings 1" over the top
Roll flat

Would this work?

 

[LynH]

I checked with my stable builders, my area of hardstanding has a 4-5" base of ironstone to help with drainage which runs via drainage pipe to an existing ditch. The top layer will be scalpings which should form a level compacted surface but will allow surface water to drain through.