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Gravel plays a very important role in various landscaping projects. Ensuring that its level is the best way to make sure that it does its job right. Read on to find out about the process of leveling gravel.
Before you begin laying and leveling gravel, you first need to prepare the area you plan on placing it in.
First, you need to remove any old gravel, plants, and anything else that might be in the way. You’re going to need a clear, organized space to properly level gravel.
Next, you need to check your slope and drainage. You don’t want a super flat surface when you’re laying and leveling gravel, there needs to be a slight angle for any liquid to drain out of your workspace to prevent pooling. Be sure to check the slope of the ground and adjust the soil as needed.
You’re also going to want to set up boundary edges or markers, so you know where your exact workspace. You wouldn’t want gravel flowing outside of your designated space.
Now we can get into the step-by-step process for leveling gravel.
After bringing your gravel over to your designated workspace, you’re going to want to spread it around evenly. For a smaller project, you can do so with a rake, ensuring that you don’t put too much, or too little gravel in a given spot.
To ensure that everything is perfectly level, you can also use a screed board. These long, rigid boards are meant to be dragged along the gravel to help level it and set it to the proper slope. It can be more accurate than just using a rake.
As you put down each new layer of gravel, be sure to compact it down to make sure it all ends up consistently level. Compacting each layer of gravel will also ensure that it will shift less overtime and will be stable enough to be walked on.
There are a variety of stone materials that people tend to use for their driveways and paths.
3/4" crushed stone is a very popular material due to its versatility. With its angular shape, you can use this material both as a base layer for stability, and as a top layer for its style. It also drains and dries effectively, making it even more ideal for many projects.
Road base mix is, as its name suggests, made up of many different materials blended together to create a very strong foundational gravel. As a base layer, this material provides incredible stability making it perfect for driveways and walkways alike.
Recycled concrete aggregate is made up of recycled concrete from demolished structures making it a particularly eco-friendly gravel option. On top of its environmental quality, this material can be compacted very tightly, ensuring that it can handle both vehicle and foot traffic. It can also be used as a topper due to its stylish appearance.
To find out how much gravel you need for a given project, you need to calculate the cubic yards of your workspace. You can do so by using this formula: cu yds = length x width x height. You can also see some examples, and find out how much material you need by checking out our project calculator.
There are a few common mistakes that people tend to make when leveling gravel. One big one is ignoring ground preparation. If you don’t clear the area before starting, you’ll end up completely throwing off the leveling process. Some people also tend to avoid using the right tools to actually get the proper level. This isn’t something to guess on, you’re going to want to use a tool like a rake to properly spread your gravel. Finally, people also tend to get the wrong type of gravel for their given project. You wouldn’t want decorative gravel as a base layer, or foundational gravel as a decoration piece.
Leveling gravel is going to be an essential part of a variety of landscaping jobs. If you follow the guidelines above, then you’ll be able to level your gravel in no time at all. If you want extra assistance, feel free to contact Landscape Barn and we’ll talk out your project with you and see how we can help.
Take the guesswork out of your next project! Use our Project Calculator to quickly estimate the materials you need for your landscaping plans. Get started here with our Project Calculator.
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Whether you're a seasoned mason or just starting out in the DIY game, there are plenty of stone projects that you can tackle straightaway to amplify the beauty of your outdoor space.
rEAD MOREWe’re here to help you bring your outdoor vision to life—reach out with any questions or to start your next project.
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