compaction compaction compaction
- 1stimpressionshome
- Jan 30
- 2 min read
The 3 rules of paving or indeed wall construction. Compaction, compaction, compaction!!
If your contractor turns up on site and executes the following - don't expect your porject to last long, especially a driveway. The project will fail if:
The contractor does not dig deep enough to reach hardpan
If hardpan is too low and way beyond budget - introduce geogrid
The contractor only uses a small plater compactor when compacting base material, This will be a plate compactor smaller than 500lbs. A 1,000lb plate compactor is optimal, but due to size and weight, project access, they cannot always be used. On occasion a 200lb plate compactor will suffice, but most certainly nothing below.
If the contractor uses sand on dirt - expect a fail - if the sand is only a few inches deep expect and epic fail.
The size of compactor should look like this and move like this
A quality contractor will dig down to reach hardpan - it could be quite deep and could cost more, but you won't regret it.
A quality contractor will add the appropriate depth of clear crush and road mulch/base and compact in layers adding water to achieve maximum compaction and drainage
A quality contractor will use the right sand for the project - this will be half to one inch in depth and also compacted.
On the occasion where hardpan cannot be reached without huge expense - a quality contractor will use geogrid to improve the surface strength of the project.
Ask these questions - read the estimate in detail - ask to see jobs more than 5 yeas old.
Discuss the warranty!
Cheap does not buy longevity!! Cheap costs more money and sooner than you think!
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