We leveled and finished the driveway loop to eliminate a severe sideways slope toward the house. The slope was so bad that car doors on the upward side would close by themselves.
This project is complete. Scroll down to see photos of the major steps.
The finished driveway loop will allow us to build a deck and level walkways to the driveway. These photos show what we started with, and how it ended up.
We're setting 18 posts for the driveway loop retaining wall. These posts will be cut off at the red line, and 2x6 boards will be attached between the posts. Stone will be backfilled against the boards, making the driveway loop surface nearly level, instead of sloping steeply toward the house.
All of the 18 driveway loop posts are planted, and today we began installing the top boards between the posts.
We continued installing the top boards between the posts. After the final length is installed at the far end, we'll start working on the lower planks.
Yesterday and today we installed many planks between the posts. We'll buy some more boards and finish in a day or two.
The retaining wall is complete – all of the planks are installed.
Mike used the Troy-Bilt tiller with a blade on the front to push much of the large stone against the wall, and Louise used a shovel to move more. Next up: Order more stone to build up the base almost to the top of the retaining wall.
Shortly after the photo above was snapped, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck while we were inside the house. We're okay, and the house is undamaged.
We ordered 13 tons of #3 stone, and spread it over the driveway. Next we'll order a load of finer stone to stabilize and solidify the large base stone.
We added 15 tons of finer gravel, and the driveway is looking much better – almost done.
We ordered and spread the final 17 tons of gravel. This project is done. Now we can start building the deck and walkways.
Updated May 23, 2023