What to do--neighbor disturbing driveway gravel...

[Responsibility2nd]

Is it possible to pour some concrete somewhere so that the giant pile of rock and mud isn’t created in the first place?

My thoughts exactly.

[SW6906]

I would invest ~$40 (guessing here) in redimix concrete, 1X4 wood for framing and some stakes and pour a ramp where you've been putting the gravel. It could be done in less than a day and quite cheaply. I've hand-mixed and poured 20' of walkway in a day before.

You might even be able to get the landlord to foot the cost for your improvement to his property.

[dblshot]

Easily cut? If you have a sawmill maybe.

[SW6906]

"If I am visualizing this correctly, why not remove the gravel all together and replace it with something like a railroad tie cut at a 45degree angle to make a ramp that is easily removed as necessary. Railroad ties are good to use for this because they are cheap, already treated against rot and insects, easily cut, and virtually indestructible for something like a car driving over it. "

Excellent idea! Use landscape posts driven through it to hold it in place. Likely cheaper and definitely easier than concrete!

[Mamzelle]

Think seriously about mixing your own concrete--get help from Home Depot. The mix is cheap, the only thing hard is finding a tub to mix it in. They have bussing tubs at Sam's that might work, and a shovel and hoe. Investment something like $50 and an afternoon of time. Do it when your sketchy guy is gone for a while so there is time to dry.

And tell your landlord/lady about the guy's sketchiness and the loitering and drinking.

[SW6906]

Many commercial lumber yards will cut it for you - either a large band saw or even a chainsaw.

[mnehring]

Easily cut? If you have a sawmill maybe.

Most landscape places around here that sell them will cut them for you if you buy them. If not, a drill and sawzall should do the trick (drill pilot holes along the path of the cut and at the angle you want to cut and use the sawzall to work it small sections at a time between the pilot holes).

[Mamzelle]

I'm thinking this railroad tie is a better idea than just concrete. maybe use some cement as "mortar" to keep it in place an also drive in some rebar through the railroad tie.

Thing is, you have to have the tools to cut it to shape, and we don't know if feline is a gal or guy, but some upper body strength necessary to drive in rebar...

If we're talking a little gal, the cement might be the easiest way to go.

[Feline_AIDS]

“I’m not looking to damage his car
How did that enter into it, do think that is sometimes OK?”

No, I just mean I don’t want to put something there that he’s going to run over to “learn his lesson” or anything.

[Feline_AIDS]

“You can build a frame or just build a dirt damn, pour quickcrete mix in, add water then pour gravel into the mix. when it hardens up it will hold the gravel in place. If you really want strength add some rebar, How come you can’t ask your neighbor to avoid the gravel for you?”

I can’t ask him because he doesn’t look very friendly and has acted unfriendly before. Aka- Yelling things at me at night when I take my dog out when he and his friends are drinking out there.

I like this quickcrete idea. I don’t have any supplies except a hose and a shovel though. Will I need anything else?

[mnehring]

Regarding the previous idea. I just checked Lowes.com and here, a 8’ railroad tie only costs $11 and Lowes will make two cuts for free (one for the length, one for the slope).

[mmichaels1970]

The first best thing to do is to talk to him and explain the problem to him. He might actually be understanding.

I'd agree. How about walking over there sometime with a couple of cold beers in your hand? That might help avoid a confrontation.

[granite]

I'm not looking to damage his car

Perhaps it means "Please do not suggest anything illegal or immoral"

[camle]

if the alley is private you can post it, and then have him charged with trespass if he uses it. if it is public, then there’s little you can legally do.

[RavenATB]

Simple...have the curb ground down so you don’t have to deal with the incline.

[WOBBLY BOB]

[SW6906]

Scratch the concrete idea. Go to a lumber yard (not Home Depot, go to a place where contractors get their lumber) and see what they have for either railroad ties or landscape timbers. Landscape timbers may be the better way to go. Ask them if they can cut it lengthwise at a 45 deg angle or so for you. Get some landscape stakes or rebar to drive through it (after you drill holes) and a good foot or more into the ground.

Tell them what you are trying to accomplish and they (if they are a good shop) will help you get it done. I think this will be easier and require less time and tools to accomplish.

[trisham]

he thinks he is a thug, never wears a shirt, often drinks outside in the driveway with his thuggy friends, drives 100mph through the alley

****************************

Tell him you think he'd make a good presidential candidate. It worked for the last guy, and he'd then be out of the neighborhood!.

[Feline_AIDS]

Haha. Feline is a not-weak-not-powerlifter gal with no strong male friends.

I like the idea of the railroad tie, and I even have some in the vacant lot behind my place, but cutting it would be a beast, and (naturally) it’s not a clean angle. There’s a minicurb under the main one that’s uneven and broken away, which is why they added the gravel.

I’m thinking concrete is my best bet.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

All this construction talk of railroad ties and concrete seems way too much like work. I know they say a little work never killed anybody, but why take the chance? May I suggest a simple cup of sugar in his gas tank and all of your problems will be solved. Further, since you describe him as sketchy, which I believe, he will probably think one of his sketchy friends did it to him as pay back. Just smile and listen to his tale of injustice as he tells you how expensive cleaning an entire fuel system is. Wish him luck next time, and maybe give him a locking gas cap as a sign of neighborly concern. Its a whole lot easier than busting your ass on a weekend when you could be watching football or something just as useful. My ten cents.