Dark/Black 804

clint_eastman

Hi,
Does anyone know of where I can get some loads of dark 804 in the Limerick area? I know normal grey 804 is available but I've been told that a darker/black type can be sourced and this would be preferable as it'll likely be the driveway finish for a year or 2.
Thanks for any info.
Clint

Dupont

ring your local quarry,it all depends what the colour of stone is in the area that they mine. there is a quarry not far from me thats stone is a very red colour. same as redhills in cavan all the soil thats dug up is red

JuniorB

We found that 804 was not very suitable for the finish of the driveway. The larger stones tend to get 'pushed' out by the tracks of the car. Great to get a good base in but not as the finished article.

Most suppliers will supply 'dust' that is more suitable. Our local quarry supplies what they call 'maintenance' which is a mix of dust and 804 which gives a lovely finish for the driveway when levelled and compacted well. Mrs is mad for tarmac so hoping that when we get this done it will placate her for a while!!
Chat to your quarry for advice.

Eph1958

JuniorB wrote: »

We found that 804 was not very suitable for the finish of the driveway. The larger stones tend to get 'pushed' out by the tracks of the car. Great to get a good base in but not as the finished article.

Most suppliers will supply 'dust' that is more suitable. Our local quarry supplies what they call 'maintenance' which is a mix of dust and 804 which gives a lovely finish for the driveway when levelled and compacted well. Mrs is mad for tarmac so hoping that when we get this done it will placate her for a while!!
Chat to your quarry for advice.

JuniorB, thanks for the info.This sounds like an interesting driveway finish. Any idea how long it would last with minimal traffic (holiday home), and would tarmacadam lay well over it in the future?

RKQ

Eph1958 wrote: »

JuniorB, thanks for the info.This sounds like an interesting driveway finish. Any idea how long it would last with minimal traffic (holiday home), and would tarmacadam lay well over it in the future?

Mine is down about 5+ years without any top up. I rake any tracks that form, once or twice a year. Its driven on every day, so a holiday home could last for years - weeds might be a problem in spring / summer.

JuniorB

Eph1958 wrote: »

JuniorB, thanks for the info.This sounds like an interesting driveway finish. Any idea how long it would last with minimal traffic (holiday home), and would tarmacadam lay well over it in the future?

Would assume it'll last a fair few years with minimal maintenance.
If you are putting in kerbs then do your levels right to leave an inch or so for tarmac on top. Should be a perfect base for tarmac and make that job handy enough if you get your kerbs, levels etc done right this time.
That's our plan anyway.

Sonnenblumen

JuniorB wrote: »

We found that 804 was not very suitable for the finish of the driveway. The larger stones tend to get 'pushed' out by the tracks of the car. Great to get a good base in but not as the finished article.

Most suppliers will supply 'dust' that is more suitable. Our local quarry supplies what they call 'maintenance' which is a mix of dust and 804 which gives a lovely finish for the driveway when levelled and compacted well. Mrs is mad for tarmac so hoping that when we get this done it will placate her for a while!!
Chat to your quarry for advice.

804 makes an ideal sub-base for most driveways, there is some confusion as to what is hardcore/804 and there is often confusion with grade size etc. 804 does conatin some dust, however regular 804 must be well compacted and can separately be sealed ie blinded with hardcore dust. The blinding should ideally be compacted and/or rolled which will prevent the sub base churning (especially useful if the preferred surface finish is decorative aggregate). I suppose you could use dust only but it would a considerable amount an dmuch greater depth in order to provide a solid base. IMO not a very practical or nor cost effective way to do it.

gears

The only black hardcore I've seen, but there are probably more, was from Kilkenny and was a limestone so you could try call quarries in that county, whether they would deliver that far is another thing but you never know.

Dustym

The stone from Roadstone in Bunratty is very dark (almost black) in colour. Wouldn't be too far from you either. Id recommend putting down a thin layer of clean stone (14mm chip) to top off the 804. 10mm clean chip can stick into the grips on your shoes, 20mm is a bit too rough. The clean chip will ensure you wont be dirtying your floors with stone dust from the soles of your shoes.