How To Make A Gravel Driveway Solid

Benefits Of A Solid, Well Built Gravel Driveway

Gravel driveways are affordable and can be an aesthetically pleasing way to update your home’s exterior. But a solid gravel driveway can offer much lower maintenance and less mud than the typical gravel driveway. Plus, the clean appearance of a solid gravel driveway can improve the curb appeal of any property. In this article, we’ll take a look at why building a solid gravel driveway is a far better option than simply just spreading aggregate on the ground for a path to your home.

Building Solid Foundation: Planning Ahead

Build A Solid Foundation

Out of all of the complaints we receive about gravel driveways, potholes, and mud are at the top. To combat these problems, a solid foundation must be built. This is what separates those that are willing to do what it takes to obtain a solid, lower-maintenance gravel driveway and those that want to cut corners and create a never-ending, high-maintenance gravel driveway.

Want a solid gravel driveway? Excavating and installing a solid road base 3″ to 12″ thick just as if you were installing an asphalt or concrete driveway is the way to go. There are no shortcuts.

Plan For Drainage

Equally as important is drainage planning. Proper drainage is essential for any driveway installation project. Melting snow and rain can cause potholes, ruts and wash-out on a gravel driveway. Excessive water can cause major damage if the drainage is not planned properly. When planning out drainage, you’re helping to ensure a much lower maintenance gravel driveway.

Compaction

Compaction is an essential step in creating a strong, solid gravel driveway. This process involves the use of either an asphalt roller or a sheepsfoot roller, or both to compact both the sub base and the surface to ensure a solid foundation. Here are some of the benefits and steps involved in compaction with a roller:

Improved Drainage

The compaction process can help drain water off of the driveway instead of pooling on top of it creating potholes. This helps ensure that your driveway remains dry and free from damage caused by standing water.

Increased Stability

Well compacted base can support heavier loads and withstand more pressure than non-compacted soil. As such, compacting the base before installing the surface gravel can help increase its overall stability. Also compacting the surface gravel, whatever you choose, will create that strong, durable gravel driveway you’ve been looking for.

How To Obtain Maximum Compaction

Moisture Content

The amount of water contained in the subgrade is referred to as its “moisture content”. A good level of soil moisture is necessary for compaction, as it helps bind the soil particles together. However, too much water can lead to problems such as weakening of the structure due to over-saturation or settlement due to loss of support. Depending on what type of base material is used, the moisture content will vary.

Heavy Equipment

A sheeps foot roller and or a 3 to 5 ton asphalt roller will help get the compaction needed to create that solid driveway. The base material and the surface material are compressed, forming a denser mass of material that can support greater loads and withstand more pressure than non-compacted, or lightly compacted material. The force applied during compaction should be sufficient enough so as to close all air voids between soil grains and form a tightly bound base and surface.

Summary

Building a solid gravel driveway requires careful planning and the right materials. It is essential to excavate and install a base 3-12 inches thick (depending on the type of soil in your region) and plan for proper drainage. Compaction with either an asphalt roller or sheepsfoot roller helps creates a strong, durable surface that can support greater loads and withstand more pressure than non-compacted soils. Achieving maximum compaction requires checking the moisture content of the soil beforehand as it helps bind particles together but excessive water can lead to settlement or weakening of the structure. Once these steps have been taken, you can be sure that your new gravel drive is installed correctly and will last for years to come!