"ShadowTek" wrote in message
n...
I have a pile of leftover driveway gravel (about a pickup bed full) that
I'm planning on recycling
for french drain filler, but it's very dirty and full of sediment. I
spent most of the afternoon trying to spray it clean with a garden hose,
but I wasted a massive amount of water, and I didn't get very far.

I eventually began raking out about a third of a wheelbarrow load at a
time and washing just that, which seemed to go faster than trying to
tackle large amounts at once, but it's still going to take a while at
this rate.

I think the best solution would be to build a washing frame out of 2x4s
and some fine wire mesh to hold the gravel while allowing the sediment
to be flushed out through the bottom, but I'm not really dealing with
such a large pile that it warrants taking the time to make a trip to the
store, buy a
roll of mesh, and build the frame.

I've also read where some people used composter drums or concrete mixers
to roll and wash their gravel, but neiter of those are at my disposal.

Anybody know of faster way of getting it done?

Go ahead and build a screen. I made one, and it has come in handy on lots
of occasions. If you're going to spend the time to dig a French drain, do
it RIGHT the first time, and use clean gravel. If you're concerned about
getting the dirt out of it, it must be pretty dirty. Don't settle for 50%
runoff or a clogged French drain.

Steve

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