How to Prepare a Driveway for Crushed Rock

Putting crushed rock in a driveway creates a layer over the dirt, keeping down dust and providing surface traction for vehicles. Crushed rock is affordable and easy to install, and a crushed rock driveway is not prone to some types of damage that affect concrete driveways, such as cracks. To make sure your crushed rock driveway looks good and functions well, you must properly prepare the ground before you put it in.

Shovel
Rake
Weed killer
Tamper tool or asphalt roller
Weed control fabric

Instructions

- 1
  Dig up any grass or weeds with a shovel and excavate the layer of topsoil from the driveway. Removing the topsoil helps to prevent fine dirt from seeping out after you install the crushed rock. Rake through the soil and remove any large rocks, sticks and other foreign objects.
- 2
  Treat the ground with a weed killer solution to prevent any vegetative growth from coming up through the rocks.
- 3
  Rake the ground to even it out, making it so the middle of the driveway path is slightly higher than the sides, to promote water runoff. Tamp down, or pack, the soil with a tamper tool. For larger projects, rent an asphalt roller to pack down the soil.
- 4
  Line the driveway path with weed control fabric, which comes in large rolls. Unroll slightly overlapping rows of the fabric onto the driveway until the path is completely covered.
- 5
  Line the driveway with a layer of gravel containing rocks larger than the crushed rock you will be using for your driveway.

What Will Remove Driveway Sealant?

Do it Yourself Cement Driveway

Driveways