Gravel Driveways - Site Prep (2024)

FAQs

How do you prepare the ground for a gravel driveway? ›

Before laying your gravel driveway, you must first prepare the area. This may require removing debris, turf, or topsoil. You will then need to dig out the area to a depth of between 50mm to 200mm. It is important that a minimum of 50mm is left for the gravel, and 150mm for the sub-base if you plan on including one.

The total depth of a gravel driveway should be 12 to 18 inches thick. Each layer should be four to six inches thick—three layers are best for durability and longevity.

#2 Limestone gravel is most commonly used as the base for gravel driveways. These small rocks are able to form a solid and dependable foundation while providing adequate drainage. Both of these factors are an essential part of constructing a gravel driveway.

Gravel should be a minimum of 4-inches deep. The smaller the gravel, the more even the coverage will be. If rocks are on the larger side, allow for an additional 1/2 inch.

Add a Base Stone Layer

Crushed stone, which is synthetic and comes in various sizes (1-inch diameter stone is perfect for pea gravel installation), is a great choice.

Is it really necessary to put fabric under my gravel driveway? Yes, if you want your driveway to last. Having geotextile driveway fabric under your gravel driveway will prevent you from continually needing to add more aggregate base to your road since the rock will drop into the subgrade layer.

Using 2 inches for the depth 1/4 to 1/2 inch gravel will cover 100 square feet per ton; 1/2 to 1 inch gravel, 90 square feet per ton; and 1 1/2 to 2 inches gravel, 80 square feet per ton.

What is the recommended construction process for paving with blocks/slabs on gravel? Use a bedding layer of Grade C/Sharp Sand on a compacted sub-base for paving with blocks or slabs. This ensures stability and durability for the paved surface.

Bricks or Pavers

Using bricks or pavers for gravel edging is a budget-conscious choice.

How to solidify a gravel driveway? ›

With proper care and maintenance, a gravel driveway can last up to 100 years. That's because there's just so little that can go wrong with gravel. Unlike a solid asphalt or concrete driveway, it's not going to crack or sink.

A ton of gravel will cover approximately 100 square feet, 2 inches deep.

Pea gravel, crushed granite and steel slag are some of the cheapest gravel options for driveways.

The sub-base of the gravel driveway is really important as needs to be able to support heavy loads. It will also help if you have an uneven surface as will create a flat and solid base. We suggest using a sub-base that consists of various sized pieces of aggregate that compact together such as MOT Type 1.

If you lay plain gravel over the top of grass it's going to migrate and spread, even if you put a weed cover beneath the gravel to prevent weeds from popping up. The first step to adding gravel on top of grass is actually to remove the grass before you go any further.

What is the recommended construction process for paving with blocks/slabs on gravel? Use a bedding layer of Grade C/Sharp Sand on a compacted sub-base for paving with blocks or slabs. This ensures stability and durability for the paved surface.

Smooth the soil out with a steel rake to make your foundation even. Get a steel rake with a flat edge on the back of the tines. Use the tines to rip up any uneven areas of soil. Use the flat backside of the rake to shift the loose soil around to make the foundation even and level.