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Do I need to dig before laying gravel?

If you're building a driveway, you might be wondering “Can I pour gravel on top of grass for a driveway?” The answer is no. You need to dig it up. Even if you're laying pea gravel right on top of grass, it's still going to be a problem.

truegridpaver.com - What is the Best Approach for Adding Gravel on Top of Grass?
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There are many reasons why you might want to lay gravel on top of grass. Maybe you want to build a driveway out of gravel or you want to add a gravel extension to your already existing driveway. You might be building a gravel walkway directly on top of grass, a patio, or some other type of paved area that you want to use gravel as a base for. Either way, you need to use the correct approach if you want to successfully add gravel to a grassy area. There are a variety of ways you can go about it but you may want to pick one over the others depending on your preference and what you have at your disposal, as well as what kind of time scale you’re on. So let’s go over what the best approach is for adding gravel on top of grass.

Removing the Grass

Placing gravel directly on top of grass and pouring a walkway isn’t a viable option. Even if you use stabilizing pavers, they’re likely to shift unless they’re installed over a gravel subsurface. If you lay plain gravel over the top of grass it’s going to migrate and spread, even if you put a weed cover beneath the gravel to prevent weeds from popping up. The first step to adding gravel on top of grass is actually to remove the grass before you go any further. There are a few ways you can do this. If you just want to lay loose gravel you can use chemical sprays or a ground cover to smother the grass to death. With chemical sprays, you’ll want to make sure you aren’t applying them on a windy day or on grass where people might unknowingly walk, because the chemicals can be very dangerous to both humans and animals. Chemical sprays are not recommended as they are hazardous to people, animals, and the environment. They’re expensive and can leak into the soil which is decidedly not eco-friendly. Ground covers, though they take longer, can within months kill all your grass effectively and they are cheap, effective, and eco-friendly as possible. If you have the patience and foresight to plan months in advance, they make for a great choice. If you’re building a driveway, you might be wondering “Can I pour gravel on top of grass for a driveway?” The answer is no. You need to dig it up. Even if you’re laying pea gravel right on top of grass, it’s still going to be a problem. However, just laying loose gravel on topsoil will cause it to migrate, especially if it’s going to be exposed to any consistent foot or vehicle traffic. You’ll have to keep reapplying gravel and grating the area to keep it even. This method is also not as permeable as using stabilizing pavers to secure the gravel.

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Permeable Pavers Are the Best Choice for Installing Gravel in Grass

Many people who have needed to install pavement in grassy areas have wondered things like, “Can you build a gravel road on top of grass?”, and “Can you lay gravel on top of grass?” The short answer is no, but there is a workaround. By digging up your grass and using pervious pavers to stabilize it, you can install gravel in a grassy area and maximize its durability and longevity while also improving its permeability. Let’s say you want to install a new driveway or just add some traction to a grassy area for parking and driving, though. The answer to the question “Can I put gravel on top of grass?” would still be no. At least, not if you want gravel pavement that won’t spread, break down, or cause ruts.

TRUEGRID Makes the Highest-Quality Permeable Pavers for Gravel

Whether you want to build a gravel driveway, walkway, or any type of gravel surface, TRUEGRID PRO LITE and TRUEGRID PRO PLUS are the best choices. They trap gravel in place and prevent it from ever spreading or rutting. They’re also incredibly easy to install, taking less than a day to complete in most cases. Installation involves excavating the area to a depth of 6 to 12 inches, placing a piece of fabric at the bottom to prevent gravel migration, and filling the excavated pit with gravel. Afterward, the gravel is compacted and the pavers are snapped into place over the top, at which point more gravel is poured over them and pressed into them with a heavy roller. Not only does this method of installing gravel over grass not require chemical sprays, it’s even more eco-friendly than using a ground cover to kill the grass because of the increased level of permeability that TRUEGRID pavers possess. It’s safe to say that if you want the most durable, stylish, eco-friendly, affordable, and easiest-to-install gravel driveway or walkway, TRUEGRID permeable pavers are by far the best option available on the market. If you’re interested in procuring these innovative pavers for yourself, contact a pavement professional at TRUEGRID today for a quote.

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