You can lay cement over a gravel driveway, even though it’s not normally recommended, as long as the gravel in the driveway is small enough. Common Questions and Answers About Gravel Driveways Can you add cement to a gravel driveway? A professional with the right equipment can complete the job in a few days. Installing a gravel driveway is a big task for the average homeowner and can involve heavy machinery. If all this seems like a lot of work, consider hiring a professional. Once you start laying the gravel, you must compact each layer with a rolling machine before applying the next layer to provide a solid foundation. If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain or snow, you should install ditches on either side of the driveway to carry water away for proper drainage. A crown simply means that the middle of the driveway is slightly higher than the sides. For best results gravel driveways need a crown so water drains quickly. Proper grading is also critical to the success of your driveway. Think about how you want to address weed control. Some people apply an herbicide at this point, while others install landscaping fabric. It creates a much better foundation for your driveway. Hardpan, the layer beneath topsoil, is, as the name implies, dense and hard. The topsoil contains lots of organic matter, which is great for growing plants, but creates a spongy, unstable subsurface for a driveway. Before you lay any gravel, you must remove the top soil and use it somewhere else on your property. Additional Tips for Gravel DrivewaysĬhoosing the right gravel is important, but proper site preparation is even more vital. There are different types of gravel in various colors to have an aesthetic appeal. The best type of gravel for the top layer of a gravel driveway includes crushed shale, limestone, granite and concrete. This dust forms a cement-like bond when compacted. This rock has rock dust and smaller pieces of rock added to the mixture. When choosing rock for the top layer, choose “traffic bound” or “dense-grade” gravel. River rock, for example, is not appropriate for a driveway. Round rock slips, creating an unstable surface. These rocks have an angular, triangle shape and will lock together on the driveway creating a stable surface. These rocks can vary in color from black to gray to rust, depending on the type of stone.įor each layer of gravel, you’ll want machine crushed stone, rather than round rock. The top layer of gravel consists of 4 inches of marble-size rocks. These smaller rocks form a similar function and help make the transition to the top layer. On top of the base, you’ll install another 3 to 4 inches of golf ball-size rocks, often identified as #57 rocks. You’ll install approximately a 4 inch layer of this rock. This foundation layer also keeps the smaller rock from disappearing into the soil. This bottom layer of rock forms a strong foundation for your driveway and ensure good drainage. The base layer of gravel should consist stones the size of baseballs, which are often called #3 stones. When installing a gravel driveway, you’ll actually use three sizes of gravel. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about buying and installing gravel. If you’re willing to keep up with the maintenance, though, gravel is a good choice for an affordable, durable material and makes an attractive driveway. You must rake the gravel annually to push it back in place. The act of snow removal scrapes up a lot of gravel and deposits it on the sides of the road. You’ll need to add more gravel every two to four years, especially if you live in a snowy area or have a sloped driveway. Annual maintenance includes herbicide application and raking. Although gravel driveways are the least expensive initially, they require the most maintenance long-term. Asphalt driveways place second in cost, followed by cement and pavers. Gravel driveways are hands-down the most affordable option upfront. Which one you choose will be based on your budget, your climate and conditions and the length of your driveway. There are four materials commonly used for driveway surfaces – gravel, asphalt, concrete and pavers.
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