Tips For Correctly Building a Gravel Driveway

Although one of the first aesthetic components of your home that visitors notice, driveways are often one of the most overlooked areas of home construction and maintenance. If you’re looking to add charm, texture, dimension, and visual interest to your property, you may want to give some thought to installing a gravel driveway. Over the course of the past several years, it has become more popular for homeowners in the United States to utilize gravel when surfacing a driveway. The crushed stone used in many applications can be easy to maintain and available in a various array of colors. Gravel is easy on your budget and is one of the most affordable surface material options available – especially for homes with long driveways. Installing a gravel driveway can be relatively simple. We would like to give you a few tips that are required for you to get a beautiful and durable gravel driveway.

How Much Stone Will You Need

The first step to installing your gravel driveway will be to calculate how much stone material will actually be required. You also will need to lay a base layer in order to add support and promote drainage. You will need to discover how many cubic yards are needed for the following three layers: Large crushed stone as the base, then a smaller crushed stone and then finish with a top layer of gravel. Measure the driveway you are wanting to lay and have a reputable supplier calculate your needs.

Purchase From a Trustworthy Supplier

Now that you have calculated how much material you will need, you will want to find a supplier that you can trust to provide you with high quality material at a reasonable price. For best results, it’s smart to buy directly from a stone supplier that owns and operates their own quarries. Make sure the supplier is knowledgeable about the stone and gravel that they are selling.

Make Sure You Have The Correct Tools

You will need to purchase or rent special tools and equipment to excavate the driveway and compact it down. Most gravel suppliers will be able to connect you with an equipment rental company. Established suppliers will have helped thousands of homeowners and contractors with projects similar to yours and will be able to provide you with advice that can save you time and money.

Time to Excavate and Level The Area Being Used

It is crucial that you level out the new driveway to ensure proper drainage. Now that you have the equipment needed to start excavating the area where your new gravel driveway will be situated, you are ready to level the area. Once the trench has been dug up, you’ll need to take care to remove any roots or plants along the base or sides of the driveway before compacting it down.

Add Landscaping Fabric

Before you add stone, you’ll need to first lay down a layer of landscaping fabric. This will help prevent the growth of plants and weeds from beneath the driveways surface, and will also help control erosion and shifting.

Time to Pour The Crushed Stone and Gravel

If you are installing a border (highly recommended to contain the loose stones), plan to set the bricks or cobblestones before spreading the stones. As stated previously, you will be laying three separate layers of stone. Be sure to compact each new layer down as you add to the driveway. Ensure that you always follow proper safety techniques when moving stone.

The Final Step

Now that all levels of the stone have been added to the gravel driveway, you need to stamp the stone. Stamping the stone will ensure that everything is compacted correctly and that everything is in place.

Maintenance of Your Gravel Driveway

Maintain your gravel driveway by regularly raking out any debris and filling in any holes or gaps with fresh material. We recommend adding a new layer of gravel to the surface of the driveway every 1-2 years.

Bray Topsoil & Gravel can deliver our gravel to you in the Greater Cincinnati Area!

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Calculate How Much Material You Need For Your Project

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