Hey everyone! I'm working on a brick paver patio project that measures about 10'x20' and is attached to my house. Initially, I planned to use 3/4 inch clean gravel with pea gravel and then finish it off with poly sand. However, after speaking with a delivery company, the guy suggested that if he were in my shoes, he'd go for #4 crushed stone with stone dust instead. He mentioned that 3/4 inch clean gravel might lead to water pooling due to the gaps in the gravel. Should I be concerned about that? I'm also getting quotes for both options, so any insights you have would be great! Cheers from upstate New York!
3 Answers
You definitely want to avoid pea gravel. It won't compact well, making your patio unstable, kind of like building on ball bearings! Instead, I'd recommend going with an angular crushed rock that has fines in it, like 3/4 inch minus. The proper setup is fabric first, then about 4-5 inches of crushed stone compacted down to 3-4 inches, followed by a 1-inch layer of sand for a screed bed. Lastly, put down your pavers and fill the joints with poly sand. I’ve worked in hardscapes for over 20 years, and this approach works best across various regions!
This advice is on point! A solid base makes all the difference.
I’d steer clear of pea gravel as well since the rounded bits won’t lock together. Plus, stone dust isn’t ideal because of its drainage issues. For a solid base, go for 3/4 clean crushed stone instead, and opt for a finer clean crushed stone layer in between the base and the pavers. This will help lock everything in and keep your patio sturdy for years to come!
That’s solid advice! I went the route of 1/4 inch minus on top, and it has held up beautifully.
I get that there’s some confusion around the terminology, but yes, #4 with stone dust is essentially the same as 3/4 inch minus road base in some regions. It compacts really well and is often cheaper than clean gravel too. I’ve used it for multiple patio projects and it works great, especially since it provides a solid base for pavers. It definitely sounds like a great choice for your project!
Absolutely! I’ve used it for both patios and sidewalks—it handles compression nicely and keeps everything flat.
Totally agree! We did something similar and used 4 inches of crushed limestone, followed by 2 inches of sand. It turned out fantastic!