How To Avoid These Common Mistakes When Laying Gravel

Using decorative gravel on your driveway or garden is a great solution to increasing your curb appeal while suppressing weed growth and providing better drainage. When it comes to laying down gravel, it can be harder than it looks. There are a few common mistakes when laying gravel. In this article, we will go through these mistakes and advise you on how to avoid them, so that you can achieve an evenly spread and attractive gravel driveway or garden patio.

Mistake 1 - Using The Wrong Aggregates

The first common mistake people tend to make when laying gravel is using the wrong type of decorative gravel or aggregates. When selecting gravel for a driveway, it might be worth considering the tread depth of your vehicle's tyres. You will want to select gravel that is unlikely to get stuck in the tread and cause damage to your vehicle’s tyres. For instance, tyres with wider treads will work best with our Cotswold stone or red granite. Whereas, a smaller tread would work significantly better with our plum slate. 

Mistake 2 - Misjudging The Quantity Of Gravel

It can be easy to misjudge the quantity of gravel required for the job. Using too much is wasteful and will only be spread out by vehicle tyres, causing grooves of gravel to form on either side of your driveway. On the other hand, using too little will create sparse areas, allowing puddles of rainwater to form. The best way to calculate the correct quantity of gravel is to measure the length and width of your driveway as well as know the size of the gravel particles and the depth you want to achieve. We recommend a gravel depth of at least 2 inches.

Mistake 3 - Poor Site Preparation

Poor site preparation is our last common mistake. In order to achieve the best result possible, good preparation needs to be in place prior to the laying process. Good site preparation includes removing the top surface of loose soil or stones and edging around the border. Brick, concrete, or wooden edging helps keep the gravel in place. Just like other construction projects, it’s also essential to apply a sub-base beforehand. MOT 1 Type is a great example of a sub-base. This will create a smooth surface for the new gravel to sit on and improve its durability. 

Decorative Gravel From D Price & Sons

Now that you are aware of the most common mistakes when laying gravel, you’re ready to start the process. Whether you want a new gravel driveway or just a top-up to fill in any sparse areas in your gravel driveway, we can help you with that. 

At D Price & Sons, we have been a well-established family business for more than 25 years. Our range of curb-appealing decorative gravel is available to order in 0.85 cubic metre bulk bags, or loose to suit any project. Based in Longton, Stoke on Trent, we offer free delivery to homes or businesses across Staffordshire and Cheshire. For more information on our products, please contact us today on 01782 551111 or email us on [email protected] and we would be happy to help you choose the right type and quantity of decorative gravel for your project.