How to Build a Gravel Driveway
A gravel driveway would be an ideal choice if you are planning to give your house an antique touch. However, gravel driveways generally cost more and require more work to build than an ordinary driveway. That being said, you would be better off building a gravel driveway if you want to keep the maintenance work to the minimum possible level.
Things Required:
– Tape Measure
– Shovel
– Scalping
– Vibrating plate
– Gravel
Instructions
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1
Use a tape measure to determine the total length and width of the gravel driveway you intend to build. You may have to do this in more than one step if intended layout of the driveway is not along a straight line. Multiply the length and width to each other in order to get the driveway’s total area in square feet.
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2
Decide an appropriate depth for the driveway. Keep in mind the type of vehicle you would be driving across the driveway mostly because depth of the driveway is directly related to its strength and durability.
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3
Figure out the volume of the gravel you would need to use (in cubic feet) by multiplying the intended depth by the predetermined area of the driveway.
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4
Multiply the calculated gravel volume by 1.5 and it would give you the number of tons of gravel you would require for completing the project at hand. Add at least half ton of gravel to this calculation to ensure that you would not run short of the material while building the driveway.
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5
Dig the driveway area out to the decided depth. To prevent ditches from forming in the driveway when the gravel settles, fix all soft spots you come across, by digging out dirt at that spot until a hard and firm surface is reached. Do not worry about the hole because it would get filled up with scalping.
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6
Contact or visit a stone quarry and order scalping to make the base for the driveway. Since scalping is mainly leftover residue from an excavation job, it does not cost too much.
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7
To prevent the driveway from sagging, stamp down the dirt with a rented vibrating plate after you have ordered the scalping. This is important to prevent soft portions in the driveway from creating a problem later on.
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8
Use a shovel to properly level out the scalping.
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9
Order appropriate amount of gravel in tons to be delivered on site and once it is delivered, lay it out on the dug area to complete the gravel driveway.
