One thing that every great driveway has is a good
Solid Base!
Every driveway must start with a solid
foundation.
Proper excavation, meaning removal of loam
& sand that needs to be replaced with good gravel.
Removal of Roots or Lumber that may decay.
Removal of large stone or round stones that may
protrude with winters frost.
Plenty of good gravel that is well compacted
and pitched properly.
Properly compacted gravel (even the best gravel
has to be compacted with compaction equipment).
A base that has no voids and is settled to the
point of no return!
If your Driveway has all of the above, the chances
are good that no matter what you put on top of it, as a finished
product, you will enjoy for many years!
Another factor of a "good solid base", of course,
is the earth in which you are going to "pave over".
For example: here are some Negative Terrains
A steep hill that is vulnerable to erosion.
(The grand canyon was cut & created by water)
A swamp or marsh land that is constantly
underwater. (will never be a solid base)
Any extreme of being too steep or too low on
the earths terrain will create a disadvantage.
Ledge ( Large rocks ) can also create a
disadvantage (because of the cost of removal and does not provide any
drainage).
In every type of driveway, highway, walkway,
patio, building, tennis court, basketball court, etc...that exists
today IT IS ONLY AS GOOD, AS THE FOUNDATION, IN WHICH IT WAS BUILT UPON!
A well compacted gravel base, is the most
important part of every foundation, and needs to be installed in every
one of the driveways listed below:
Concrete driveway
Asphalt driveway
Stamped concrete driveway
Stamped asphalt driveway
Paver or cobblestone driveway
Brick driveway
Stone driveway
Gravel driveway
How Much Gravel?
Depends on the earth you are paving over, but as a general rule of
thumb 4" - 12" of good, solid, compact able gravel.
Gravel that is sandy, or full of large round stone
is not recommended.
Good solid compacted processed, or recycled gravel, is the key to every
driveway installation!
Utilities Under your Driveway?
The gravel phase of your driveway installation is the best time to
carefully consider any water lines, sprinkler systems, lighting or any
electrical lines that may need to cross your driveway now, or in the
future!
4" to 6" PVC pipe can easily be installed across
your driveway before the gravel is graded to allow for any future under
ground utilities.
PVC pipes needs to be buried about 12 - 18" below
the finish gravel grade, and should be marked by logging the location
using dimensions off any land marks to find them in the future when
needed.
The ends of all buried pipes should be capped
either with a PVC cap or at least be taped with duct tape to keep the
inside of the pipes clean.
When needed you can un bury both ends, slide
either sprinkler lines or electrical lines through the pipe without
having to cut patches into your new driveway in the future.
If you never use them, they will cause no harm to
your driveway! PVC pipes will last forever, and as long as they are
buried deep enough into the ground they should not lift from frost
heaves.
