Grading a Driveway

Excavate the ground cover and topsoil to dig out a site about 1 foot deep. Use a shovel or excavator machine and dump the soil on a nearby tarp to fill out low-lying areas of the yard later.

Drive a tractor to the end of the site closest to the home and park it on one side facing toward the street. Attach a grading blade to the back of the tractor and lower the teeth of the blade to touch the subsoil.

Set the angle of the blade to dig down 1/4 inch deeper with every foot of length. If you’re renting the grading blade, refer to the instructions to see how to set the angle.

Move the tractor slowly down the driveway so the teeth of the blade can loosen subsoil and evenly distribute it at the correct angle. Repeat this process down the center and other side of the driveway.

Move over the entire site with a vibrating plate compactor.

Pour the 8-inch thick layer of 3/4 inch gravel base into the driveway. Drive the tractor down the driveway again, with the angle set at the same grade. Compact the rocks until they feel firm beneath your shoes.

Install the top layer of small, angular gravel for a gravel driveway. Drive the tractor over the surface and compact it. For a paver, stone or brick driveway, lay a 1-inch bed of course sand. Set the individual pieces flush against each other and fill in the joints with fine sand.