My husband and I are having a friendly disagreement about how to properly lay new gravel on our driveway. We've got a pile of gravel that's been sitting for a couple of years, and we're looking for some solid advice to settle this once and for all. He thinks we should grade the existing gravel flat before adding the new stuff, while I believe that the old gravel is well-settled and disturbing it could lead to more issues down the line with the new gravel needing replacement sooner. What do you think?
3 Answers
To get a solid and long-lasting driveway, it’s crucial to prep the old gravel first. Use a skid steer with a toothed bucket to rough up the existing surface a bit, and then add the new gravel on top. After that, you really should roll it in with a steel drum roller or a vibrating compactor. Just dumping new gravel and expecting it to compact under your vehicle isn't going to cut it—put in the extra effort for better results! Good luck with your driveway!
I’d recommend loosening the old gravel first before laying down the new stuff. I use a box blade with teeth to scarify the surface, especially around any potholes. After adding the new gravel, I smooth it out and then compact it with my heaviest tractor. This way, everything mixes well and stays compacted in the long run!
Mixing the old and new is key! Start by grading the surface first. If you disturb too much of the base, you'll just push rocks into the ground and create long-term issues. If you can't use a compactor, try soaking the driveway and then driving over it with something heavy, like your truck loaded with firewood; the weight will help settle the gravel really well.
Thanks for the tips! Sounds like getting everything properly mixed and compacted is the way to go!