I have it in my front garden for five years now. Works great. When you are topping up ahain which you will have to do. Slit the bag at the top and let the gravel spill out. You have the truck bed protected. It saves time and shovel work. You can use a wide broom to brush it off and the back of a rake or the broom to spread it.
Nice job! We just did a driveway extension using the expandable 3" deep construction grid and grey 8 tons of grey breeze (sometimes called road base). Had to go 6" deep with the breeze to level the area. That construction grid is amazing. Locked in the breeze like concrete! Total cost was about $350 with the delivery of the breeze. Where the grid is exposed, drop a little more gravel down.
Just so everyone knows, most concrete/materials companies will deliver a truckload of gravel in whatever size you wish for around $150-$250 up to I think 4 yards. MSU(the company that supplies HD/Lowes) also has delivery with a chute truck where they could back right up to your project and dispense on the go. It's a little more money, but sometimes the time(and back) savings is worth it. I love this idea, my backyard is far from level and we have been contemplating stripping it all out and re-leveling it when we begin our landscaping project. I've seen gravel grid used in many ways before, here in Florida they call it GeoGrid and use it for erosion protection.
Haven't tried calling a material co. directly, however that's a good option at the right price! One thing I did notice with the gravel selection was that the bulk gravel was not consistent in color and type of stone (same sku#) from bag to bag. Something to really consider if you want consistency as different batches maybe different. Going to the store and seeing it myself I was able to choose bags from the same batch while loading. The difference between batches (bags) was very significant, from round pea gravel to sharp crushed cement like stone -- all sold as the same product. I appreciate your comment and insight!
After it settles a month or so , relevel with gravel if needed . Then get a bag of Portland cement & spread thin layer of powder by hand. It will harden over time with dew & rain locking in your gravel.
That's really interesting, was wondering how portland cement may do vs. sand / other dust? My concern would be that the gravel may visibly crack or separate? In that case the gravel, plain, may be the way to go aesthetically. I really appreciate your insight and suggestions! Subscribe if you haven't to see how this progresses along!
I think this is the best solution because concrete does seal up the ground so you don't need any drainage and it's even way cheaper than concrete. Gravel has many benefits. The job was also well done although the top layer is quite thin. Rule of thumb is having a top layer of 2 cm (about 1 inch) above the grid so the grid doesn't get damaged. I really like the outcome of your job!
For the best result for durability and minimizing gravel loss.. You want to run a Plate Compactor over it .. rentals are cheap enough and really worth it.
After living most of my life in flatland, I moved to TN, where you get two choices: up and down. A driveway that has areas that approach 45 degrees of slope presents challenges to DIY, often making them a PITA.
I've had a few problems with gravel and weed barrier. First of all the weeds grew right through on top of it. Second, the mice and voles burrowed under it. I'm in the process now of pulling it all up. There was a whole maze of little tunnels and caverns underneath. You may not have this problem in more urban areas (I never had voles in the city), but out here in the country, they're pretty common.
Thanks for the comment! That's interesting, I wouldn't have imagined rodents burrowing underneath it. I'm sure those pests can, especially if the soil is soft enough. Yes in the urban area around me I don't have that problem (never seen a Vole), however my ground is also a clay type hard soil that's dry most of the year. And yes weeds can be fierce and I'm sure make their way through; I was looking more for the foundation benefits of the thicker barrier being underneath.
Try putting down some hardware cloth/wire mesh next time to discourage the mice and voles. They recommend this under any new shed to keep critters from tunneling.
@@AStanton1966 You're right. Now that I think about it, I have put the hardware cloth underneath the pump house floor and have not had any problems with them. Apparently, there's no reason for them to dig under there. My experience has been mainly where I've used it around the trees, under my garden paths, raised beds, and the green house floor. They have a ready-made buffet of plant roots right there and are totally protected from any predators...including the cat. Live and learn. A parking pad would probably, also, not be of much interest to them. 🤔
Really? You should be able to buy enough ballast and cement for a shed base for about 60-70 bucks. You should really have a solid base under a shed otherwise the rats will get up from under there. Do some more research Al.
Nice job. You should see a lot less runoff to the drain with this gravel bed, as it gives a large area for the water to percolate. The plastic grid will act as a series of dams, slowing the travel of water across the space.
Why not get 4x the gravel from a local landscape supplier delivered for free compared to the bags? and they’d dump it right onto the grids for spreading. You can get 7x the amount of DG for same cost of 1 bay if Lowe’s gravel.
You city folk always got a surprise for me. Gravel bags. Heh. We just put it in the truck bed, it's what its for. If it's more than the pickup holds we have the yard or a buddy with a dump deliver it.
I've had a 3/4" gravel driveway in the past with no base and it ended up becoming a lot of up keep. The gravel would sink into the mud and I was constantly re-applying. Also I didn't like the tire tracking/shifting of the gravel. I appreciate your comment!
I'm definitely looking to see how it goes over time, I'll have update videos to come. It was cheaper than the alternatives, and I believe it's good...however it for sure wasn't fast since grading the clay soil took a lot of time. I appreciate the feedback!
Not everyone is interested in making minor projects last 50 years, 10 to 20 is more than adequate for my home projects. I won't be leaving the house to anyone and I'll certainly be dead in 20 to 30 years. Why make every project a major investment, when after I'm gone, the house will be demolished, to make space for someones new house, or to make room for another ugly subdivision.
A question for anyone that has experience with gravel grid, would a plate compactor do a better job of compacting the gravel or would that be overkill? Based on Sean's follow up it looks like driving over it repeatedly did a pretty good job of compacting it. By the way Sean, great video. Loved your clear concise explanation of how you proceeded with your project.
If I were to plate tamp the gravel, do you think it would work as intended, or that it may vibrae gravel underneath the grid? Freeze and thaw climates would definitely add a few more logistical hurdles that I can think of, but all and all, i really like this. Especially because you could probably be as creative as your brain allows, as in, using a dark pea river gravel as a 1 ft border, crushed eastern shore for the majority of the field inside that, and then maybe a red crushed, lava, or river gravel to pour a centerpiece like a compass or your last names initial, favorite sports team logo, or a green dollar sign to represent the money you saved. Lol
I believe you can plate tamp, as some prefer to do it this way. Just be careful with the lighter / decorative stones. And I love the creativity, you can be as creative with this as you wish! Thanks for the comment!
Liked the video, but how about turning the camera to landscape? A nicer picture to watch. But thanks for showing us a different less expensive cost to add to the driveway.
It'd be nice if these could be made with totally recycled plastic, made a bit more durable, and used to help strengthen gravel roads around the country.
Yes, a wonderful way to recycle plastic. I found many different versions with varying weight capacities. If you search for “permeable heavy-duty driveway grids” you’ll see lots of offerings. Some are wavy expandable meshes for parking lots and driveways. Some are recycled plastic pavers, rated at 60 tonne capacity, that weigh less than open concrete pavers. Hope this helps…
Thanks for your response! Yes the grids were purchased locally online through offerup, local classifieds. They were brand new. The ones in the Amazon link are a newer version. If you try checking around your local classifieds you may find the same earlier / similar version of these grids at a low cost like I did.
Nice looking work! The gravel grids are designed necessary when you want to retain gravel on a five or ten degree slope. (Not really necessary on a small level area though)
I’m wondering if instead of covering the whole area, could you do two strips, maybe each 2’ wide? Giving a gravel path for the tires? Would that be stable? Might need a border…
That should be fine, of course not as stable so it depends how heavy the vehicle is? I feel the grid gets stronger the more that are connected and filled. I would also try to go a little wider in case you drive off of it, which is what I did. Yes a border will definitely help with a narrow path. I appreciate the thoughts and comment!
Based on the status of the grids so far, I would only recommend connecting as much as possible, especially if it's a heavier vehicle being parked. Thanks for the comment!
I appreciate you sharing this method and I'm curious how it went long term, but please stabilize your camera or keep it on a tripod. Made me dizzy with all the rapid motion.
It's still fairly new and I've been testing it out under load, driving an 11k lbs. trailer over it with no issues so far. I plan to make an update video once I get good rainfall here, after the ground gets a good soaking. The big issue was the area turning into a mud pit. I appreciate the comment and suggestions!
This will help to help 'Level the RV's Way Easier!👍🌦️ tho I would've used a Wheel barrow' cut the bag open 'and just pull large amounts off the tarped floor of the truck bed with a Shovel and a Tote Lid', into the Wheel Barrow_ get more yield with less work!'👍 Looks great tho' Peace✌️
The stone looks like a crushed limestone, not gravel. Gravel would be a naturally occurring rounded water worn stone usually mixed with other aggregate like clay and sand to give it stability.
it is crushed rock, likely granite. rounded rock does not compact, crushed rock with the angular shapes does. The 5/8" minus crushed rock mentioned is usually what is wanted for driving surfaces like a driveway, the smaller fines help compact and lockup the larger 5/8" angular gravel for a solid surface. the plastic grid helps it stay in place, and maintain a uniform thickness. Crushed limestone is only available economically where there are limestone quarries nearby, it is not as durable but has other desirable qualities. We had specifically looked for crushed limestone gravel for use in a horse stable, l but it has to be trucked from 300 miles away, the nearest quarry from where we lived, too costly so it was a no go.
I'm sure a ball would bounce fine however for a basketball game I imagine concrete or hardwood would be better. The gravel grid set up is better for walkways, driveways, and parking areas.
Yeah it worked great 👍 but I'm sure any compact car would work. If you see my expansion video of this driveway, I used my 3/4 ton truck that time. Thx for the comment!
Wouldn't it be easier to unload gravel by just getting it dumped into the bed by the payloader at the stone yard and tarp it for the delivery run? I've never seen it bagged like that. Seems way too much trouble with shoveling out of a bag when you can just dump and spread or rake by pulling it off. Nice job, though. Your bag way seems like an extra unnecessary step.
Bag method kept his truck way cleaner, and could his pickup handle the weight of all the stone at once. (I owned an S-10 years ago; I knew there were things I couldn't haul without risking suspension or frame damage). I'm trying to envision dumping that bag in one go from the bed; maybe with planks under it and a helper or two, but maybe the weight is still too great to lean the bag over, at least with a full bag. "Adopt, adapt, and improve. Motto of the Round Table." -- John Cleese in a Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch.
Do you know the weight limit on these grids? I'm wondering if I could use these to make a stable parking pad for a semi truck. If so, It's MUCH cheaper than concrete and getting towed out of the mud.
It will vary by how deep the covering gravel is. Of course, they probably have recommended range of installation depth which would yield a weight limit.
Would depend on the brand you decide with. These here in the video are rated at 40 tons/ sqm, which is more than enough for a car or trailer under 12k lbs. But a semi may need heavier duty grids such as #ad amzn.to/3ty45TH
Thanks for the comment. I don't believe so, at least not for heavy duty use. The grid pockets have a depth of only 2 inches making it a shallow fill. If you put it on the bottom of a 3" depth pour of concrete, maybe?
Quikcrete has a reusable grid system that you can pour concrete into their grids. Plus, you can add color to the concrete. If that's what you're looking for? I saw an ad a couple of months ago.
will this work with the cement decorative blocks, what I am thinking of doing, filling with gravel after placing/leveling 3" decorative cement blocks, so about 12" x 12" x 3" placed on side.
Thanks for the comment. So you would be putting the grids on top of the blocks? That would work, but not the blocks on top of empty grids as that would make the grids fail. The grids really rely on the gravel fill to make it's solid foundation.
It would definitely reduce the cost even more this way, however I wanted to increase the strength of the overall structure and prevent gravel run-off for the most part. The great part about using the gravel grid method is that it only takes 2" of gravel depth to achieve this. I appreciate your feedback and comment!
I couldn't say how new they are, however I believe it's pretty new around here (So. CA) for DIY people. The big box stores around here don't even carry them in-stock. Thanks for your comment!
Yes I recommend the 3/8" bulk gravel from Home Depot that comes in the multi colored pea gravel, since they will have batches listed under the same sku# that looks like crushed / chipped cement. I was in the yard looking around to get matching bags. Thank you for your response, be sure to subscribe as I will be posting up more videos!
Had to check myself. Yep HD app shows the same bulk bag for $29 in Southern CA. In my location in Indiana, it's not available in-store or online. What's available is the same gravel by pallet ranging from $700+ to over $1000 for a pallet.
Hi, the stone is bulk 3/8 gravel from home depot. The item SKU# 478198. I recently found that apparently this SKU pricing is regional. If you're located in So. CA it's readily available at that price. Thanks for the comment!
You can cut your cost even more by quite a bit. The grids are unecessary and the landscape fabric is also optional. The gravel grids are pretty expensive now. 50 for 11sqf. Just put the gravel directly on the ground and it will hold up fine. People out in the country have been using it for years. The angular shape of the gravel locks it together naturally.
This is not true, as someone who owns property with gravel driveway. Now, most of the gravel is gone, and we're left with just clay-based soil that mixed with the remaining gravel. When it rains, we have mushy mud with sharp gravel rocks. Great for an infection if you fall into it! 😄
I've found that putting gravel straight does indeed sink into the ground. It would require more gravel re- applications for maintenance over time. Also leaves tracks as it's initially loose. I appreciate your comment!
Appreciate the comment. Not at all for 58 pieces. It's available locally at the price mentioned. Email me if you're local to So. CA and I'll direct you to the distributor. Thanks!
Let me know if you have any questions about the process or durability and I'll update as the time goes on! LIKE & SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATE VIDEOS TO FOLLOW! LATEST UPDATE VIDEO: ruclips.net/video/mixBjPOlyr8/видео.html
If you lay a base of sand it will feel very strong when walking on it. That grid system has been used for over 30 years, but he has discovered a NEW process since he is from California.
@@CamMcB No standing water since the barrier is not water proof. I did grade the area for drainage then overlapped the barrier (similarly like roof shingles) so water would flow in the direction of grading. I like the barrier because it has felt on one side and plastic on the other. It helps with keeping the soil together and drain correctly. I put a link to the barrier in my description.
I couldn't get the cost under $90 to have a truck deliver stone, especially since gas prices here are about $6 / gallon right now. The Depot store was only 1 block from me so I didn't mind. Having it dumped out of a truck would've been convenient though.
@@GTrainRx7 That's true if I had a forklift, even with the bags at half empty, they aren't realistic to move without equipment. Also the big box store charges a deposit of about the same cost as the gravel itself to keep / damage the bag.
I have it in my front garden for five years now. Works great. When you are topping up ahain which you will have to do. Slit the bag at the top and let the gravel spill out. You have the truck bed protected. It saves time and shovel work. You can use a wide broom to brush it off and the back of a rake or the broom to spread it.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!
Nice job! We just did a driveway extension using the expandable 3" deep construction grid and grey 8 tons of grey breeze (sometimes called road base). Had to go 6" deep with the breeze to level the area. That construction grid is amazing. Locked in the breeze like concrete! Total cost was about $350 with the delivery of the breeze. Where the grid is exposed, drop a little more gravel down.
Yeah the strength is pretty amazing! I appreciate your comment!
Just so everyone knows, most concrete/materials companies will deliver a truckload of gravel in whatever size you wish for around $150-$250 up to I think 4 yards. MSU(the company that supplies HD/Lowes) also has delivery with a chute truck where they could back right up to your project and dispense on the go. It's a little more money, but sometimes the time(and back) savings is worth it.
I love this idea, my backyard is far from level and we have been contemplating stripping it all out and re-leveling it when we begin our landscaping project. I've seen gravel grid used in many ways before, here in Florida they call it GeoGrid and use it for erosion protection.
Haven't tried calling a material co. directly, however that's a good option at the right price! One thing I did notice with the gravel selection was that the bulk gravel was not consistent in color and type of stone (same sku#) from bag to bag. Something to really consider if you want consistency as different batches maybe different. Going to the store and seeing it myself I was able to choose bags from the same batch while loading. The difference between batches (bags) was very significant, from round pea gravel to sharp crushed cement like stone -- all sold as the same product. I appreciate your comment and insight!
After it settles a month or so , relevel with gravel if needed . Then get a bag of Portland cement & spread thin layer of powder by hand. It will harden over time with dew & rain locking in your gravel.
Won't that crack as soon as you drive on it?
That's really interesting, was wondering how portland cement may do vs. sand / other dust? My concern would be that the gravel may visibly crack or separate? In that case the gravel, plain, may be the way to go aesthetically. I really appreciate your insight and suggestions! Subscribe if you haven't to see how this progresses along!
I think they want the easy draining effect of gravel.
I think this is the best solution because concrete does seal up the ground so you don't need any drainage and it's even way cheaper than concrete. Gravel has many benefits. The job was also well done although the top layer is quite thin. Rule of thumb is having a top layer of 2 cm (about 1 inch) above the grid so the grid doesn't get damaged. I really like the outcome of your job!
For the best result for durability and minimizing gravel loss.. You want to run a Plate Compactor over it .. rentals are cheap enough and really worth it.
Interesting, I'll consider that for the next video!
After living most of my life in flatland, I moved to TN, where you get two choices: up and down. A driveway that has areas that approach 45 degrees of slope presents challenges to DIY, often making them a PITA.
I couldn't imagine 45 deg. driveways?! Thanks for the comment!
In 2015 I moved from Florida to Tennessee and have yet to see any flat land other that an airport. 🤣
I've had a few problems with gravel and weed barrier. First of all the weeds grew right through on top of it. Second, the mice and voles burrowed under it. I'm in the process now of pulling it all up. There was a whole maze of little tunnels and caverns underneath. You may not have this problem in more urban areas (I never had voles in the city), but out here in the country, they're pretty common.
Thanks for the comment! That's interesting, I wouldn't have imagined rodents burrowing underneath it. I'm sure those pests can, especially if the soil is soft enough. Yes in the urban area around me I don't have that problem (never seen a Vole), however my ground is also a clay type hard soil that's dry most of the year. And yes weeds can be fierce and I'm sure make their way through; I was looking more for the foundation benefits of the thicker barrier being underneath.
Try putting down some hardware cloth/wire mesh next time to discourage the mice and voles. They recommend this under any new shed to keep critters from tunneling.
get a cat...
@@AStanton1966 You're right. Now that I think about it, I have put the hardware cloth underneath the pump house floor and have not had any problems with them. Apparently, there's no reason for them to dig under there. My experience has been mainly where I've used it around the trees, under my garden paths, raised beds, and the green house floor. They have a ready-made buffet of plant roots right there and are totally protected from any predators...including the cat. Live and learn. A parking pad would probably, also, not be of much interest to them. 🤔
I think that would also be great for my shed. Cheaper than concrete, much better than plywood.
Thanks for the comment, for sure would be great for your shed!
Really? You should be able to buy enough ballast and cement for a shed base for about 60-70 bucks. You should really have a solid base under a shed otherwise the rats will get up from under there. Do some more research Al.
Nice job. You should see a lot less runoff to the drain with this gravel bed, as it gives a large area for the water to percolate. The plastic grid will act as a series of dams, slowing the travel of water across the space.
Why not get 4x the gravel from a local landscape supplier delivered for free compared to the bags? and they’d dump it right onto the grids for spreading. You can get 7x the amount of DG for same cost of 1 bay if Lowe’s gravel.
I wanted to keep it at somewhat of a consistent 3/8" gravel stone, rather than the finer DG. I appreciate the insight!
You city folk always got a surprise for me. Gravel bags. Heh. We just put it in the truck bed, it's what its for. If it's more than the pickup holds we have the yard or a buddy with a dump deliver it.
Thanks for the tip!
😂😂😂..... city folk .....
Three RVs in one yard? I surely think 3/4 gravel all by itself would compact better than using the grid stuff.
I've had a 3/4" gravel driveway in the past with no base and it ended up becoming a lot of up keep. The gravel would sink into the mud and I was constantly re-applying. Also I didn't like the tire tracking/shifting of the gravel. I appreciate your comment!
Hey This Gravel Grid would be excellent for a shed base or small garage.
Hi, I appreciate the comment! Yes, it would work great for that.
Hey, thank you. I'd never heard of this & it's exactly what I want. (Your driveway looks really nice!)
You're very welcome! Thanks for the feedback!
Give it time. You can get cheap, good, fast. But only 2 at the same time. Good entry level content.
I'm definitely looking to see how it goes over time, I'll have update videos to come. It was cheaper than the alternatives, and I believe it's good...however it for sure wasn't fast since grading the clay soil took a lot of time. I appreciate the feedback!
Not everyone is interested in making minor projects last 50 years, 10 to 20 is more than adequate for my home projects. I won't be leaving the house to anyone and I'll certainly be dead in 20 to 30 years. Why make every project a major investment, when after I'm gone, the house will be demolished, to make space for someones new house, or to make room for another ugly subdivision.
A question for anyone that has experience with gravel grid, would a plate compactor do a better job of compacting the gravel or would that be overkill? Based on Sean's follow up it looks like driving over it repeatedly did a pretty good job of compacting it.
By the way Sean, great video. Loved your clear concise explanation of how you proceeded with your project.
If I were to plate tamp the gravel, do you think it would work as intended, or that it may vibrae gravel underneath the grid? Freeze and thaw climates would definitely add a few more logistical hurdles that I can think of, but all and all, i really like this. Especially because you could probably be as creative as your brain allows, as in, using a dark pea river gravel as a 1 ft border, crushed eastern shore for the majority of the field inside that, and then maybe a red crushed, lava, or river gravel to pour a centerpiece like a compass or your last names initial, favorite sports team logo, or a green dollar sign to represent the money you saved. Lol
I believe you can plate tamp, as some prefer to do it this way. Just be careful with the lighter / decorative stones. And I love the creativity, you can be as creative with this as you wish! Thanks for the comment!
Liked the video, but how about turning the camera to landscape? A nicer picture to watch. But thanks for showing us a different less expensive cost to add to the driveway.
I appreciate the feedback, I'll be sure to use a better camera with those settings for the update video!
It'd be nice if these could be made with totally recycled plastic, made a bit more durable, and used to help strengthen gravel roads around the country.
Yes, a wonderful way to recycle plastic. I found many different versions with varying weight capacities. If you search for “permeable heavy-duty driveway grids” you’ll see lots of offerings.
Some are wavy expandable meshes for parking lots and driveways. Some are recycled plastic pavers, rated at 60 tonne capacity, that weigh less than open concrete pavers.
Hope this helps…
The cost for 60 grids is $675 before taxes.
Thanks for your response! Yes the grids were purchased locally online through offerup, local classifieds. They were brand new. The ones in the Amazon link are a newer version. If you try checking around your local classifieds you may find the same earlier / similar version of these grids at a low cost like I did.
Or if you're in the So. CA area I can get you the contact info? He has 3 to 4 hundred pieces left. You're looking at under $4.00 per a grid.
Hi Sean, can you send me the info to the contact, I’m local in Anaheim.
Nice looking work! The gravel grids are designed necessary when you want to retain gravel on a five or ten degree slope. (Not really necessary on a small level area though)
You said said $220 for 58 grids but I counted 140 odd grids there?
Nice project and I appreciate the list of materials and the price in your area.
Thank you for the compliment!
Good job very informative. Thanks. ,
Great Job, Looks Perfectly Done... 👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
I’m wondering if instead of covering the whole area, could you do two strips, maybe each 2’ wide? Giving a gravel path for the tires? Would that be stable? Might need a border…
That should be fine, of course not as stable so it depends how heavy the vehicle is? I feel the grid gets stronger the more that are connected and filled. I would also try to go a little wider in case you drive off of it, which is what I did. Yes a border will definitely help with a narrow path. I appreciate the thoughts and comment!
Based on the status of the grids so far, I would only recommend connecting as much as possible, especially if it's a heavier vehicle being parked. Thanks for the comment!
@@UPKEEPWITHSEAN Thanks for the responses to my query!
Curious on how it would stand-up to snowblowing or plowing.
That would be interesting to see, unfortunately I never see snow in my area so wouldn't be able to say. Thanks for the comment!
Not good!
Looks great!! Thank you for sharing the process
You're very welcome!
I appreciate you sharing this method and I'm curious how it went long term, but please stabilize your camera or keep it on a tripod. Made me dizzy with all the rapid motion.
It's still fairly new and I've been testing it out under load, driving an 11k lbs. trailer over it with no issues so far. I plan to make an update video once I get good rainfall here, after the ground gets a good soaking. The big issue was the area turning into a mud pit. I appreciate the comment and suggestions!
😂😂😂😂😂
This will help to help 'Level the RV's Way Easier!👍🌦️ tho I would've used a Wheel barrow' cut the bag open 'and just pull large amounts off the tarped floor of the truck bed with a Shovel and a Tote Lid', into the Wheel Barrow_ get more yield with less work!'👍 Looks great tho' Peace✌️
I was thinking the same thing. Great video though, I never thought to do it this way. Thanks.
Unless you wanted to save some money and return the bag for the deposit. Those bags are not cheap.
The stone looks like a crushed limestone, not gravel. Gravel would be a naturally occurring rounded water worn stone usually mixed with other aggregate like clay and sand to give it stability.
it is crushed rock, likely granite. rounded rock does not compact, crushed rock with the angular shapes does. The 5/8" minus crushed rock mentioned is usually what is wanted for driving surfaces like a driveway, the smaller fines help compact and lockup the larger 5/8" angular gravel for a solid surface. the plastic grid helps it stay in place, and maintain a uniform thickness. Crushed limestone is only available economically where there are limestone quarries nearby, it is not as durable but has other desirable qualities. We had specifically looked for crushed limestone gravel for use in a horse stable, l but it has to be trucked from 300 miles away, the nearest quarry from where we lived, too costly so it was a no go.
The stones were sold as gravel, and do look like granite. I appreciate your insight!
Very curious on it's lifespan? When those grids start to deteriorate and brake seems to me you'll have loose gravel?
That's true. Only time will tell how fast they deteriorate or keep up to their advertised durability. I appreciate the comment!
Could people play basketball on that once it was compacted and down to the tops of the plastic grids?
I'm sure a ball would bounce fine however for a basketball game I imagine concrete or hardwood would be better. The gravel grid set up is better for walkways, driveways, and parking areas.
Thanks for letting us know to use a bmw for compacting
Yeah it worked great 👍 but I'm sure any compact car would work. If you see my expansion video of this driveway, I used my 3/4 ton truck that time. Thx for the comment!
Wouldn't it be easier to unload gravel by just getting it dumped into the bed by the payloader at the stone yard and tarp it for the delivery run? I've never seen it bagged like that. Seems way too much trouble with shoveling out of a bag when you can just dump and spread or rake by pulling it off. Nice job, though. Your bag way seems like an extra unnecessary step.
True, gravel yard is a great idea. I ended up local big box store because it's a block away from me.
Bag method kept his truck way cleaner, and could his pickup handle the weight of all the stone at once. (I owned an S-10 years ago; I knew there were things I couldn't haul without risking suspension or frame damage). I'm trying to envision dumping that bag in one go from the bed; maybe with planks under it and a helper or two, but maybe the weight is still too great to lean the bag over, at least with a full bag. "Adopt, adapt, and improve. Motto of the Round Table." -- John Cleese in a Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch.
Thanks for this!
I appreciate the comment! You're welcome!
Do you know the weight limit on these grids? I'm wondering if I could use these to make a stable parking pad for a semi truck. If so, It's MUCH cheaper than concrete and getting towed out of the mud.
It will vary by how deep the covering gravel is. Of course, they probably have recommended range of installation depth which would yield a weight limit.
Would depend on the brand you decide with. These here in the video are rated at 40 tons/ sqm, which is more than enough for a car or trailer under 12k lbs. But a semi may need heavier duty grids such as #ad amzn.to/3ty45TH
New follower, nice video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the subscription, means a lot!!!
Can these be filled with cement instead of gravel?
Thanks for the comment. I don't believe so, at least not for heavy duty use. The grid pockets have a depth of only 2 inches making it a shallow fill. If you put it on the bottom of a 3" depth pour of concrete, maybe?
Quikcrete has a reusable grid system that you can pour concrete into their grids. Plus, you can add color to the concrete. If that's what you're looking for? I saw an ad a couple of months ago.
will this work with the cement decorative blocks, what I am thinking of doing, filling with gravel after placing/leveling 3" decorative cement blocks, so about 12" x 12" x 3" placed on side.
Thanks for the comment. So you would be putting the grids on top of the blocks? That would work, but not the blocks on top of empty grids as that would make the grids fail. The grids really rely on the gravel fill to make it's solid foundation.
imagine if you put concrete over these grids 😂. It would be indestructible
Couldn't say how it would hold up, but it's an interesting thought. Thanks for your comment!
I know its easy to look and find a criticism anyway I would have left ones out of the center
It would definitely reduce the cost even more this way, however I wanted to increase the strength of the overall structure and prevent gravel run-off for the most part. The great part about using the gravel grid method is that it only takes 2" of gravel depth to achieve this. I appreciate your feedback and comment!
Gravel Grids! are those new? like w/ in the last 30 year develpment?
I couldn't say how new they are, however I believe it's pretty new around here (So. CA) for DIY people. The big box stores around here don't even carry them in-stock. Thanks for your comment!
Do you have the sku# from Home Depot for the gravel?
Yes the current price in my local So. CA area is $29. Sku#: 478198
Do you have any recommendations on the brand of gravel stones or does it matter? We are thinking about doing something similar. Great tutorial!
Yes I recommend the 3/8" bulk gravel from Home Depot that comes in the multi colored pea gravel, since they will have batches listed under the same sku# that looks like crushed / chipped cement. I was in the yard looking around to get matching bags. Thank you for your response, be sure to subscribe as I will be posting up more videos!
I believe the brand on the large bag of gravel was MSI.
I also recommend the 3/8" gravel so it can travel below the grids in areas that may have not been perfectly level.
Nice job, did you say $30 a bag for the gravel? I would have expected much more.
Yes it's under $30 a bag at the local big box stores around here in So. California.
It definitely costs a lot more if you buy them in the 10 lbs. or 20 lbs. quantities.
It costs $500.00 here in Vernon BC for the bags of gravel from Home Depot or Rona (Lowes) so $30.00 a bag is staggeringly cheap by our standards.
@@davemeise2192 It's $1300 around here, and there are quarries all over the place here.
Had to check myself. Yep HD app shows the same bulk bag for $29 in Southern CA. In my location in Indiana, it's not available in-store or online. What's available is the same gravel by pallet ranging from $700+ to over $1000 for a pallet.
I cannot find the stone like you bought at the price you said. What should I be searching for?
Hi, the stone is bulk 3/8 gravel from home depot. The item SKU# 478198. I recently found that apparently this SKU pricing is regional. If you're located in So. CA it's readily available at that price. Thanks for the comment!
How does the gravel stay intact? Did you put mulch glue?
No glue whatsoever. The grids I laid down keep everything intact. The gravel stays pretty solid with it only being 2" thick!
Another cheap option would be to do Soil-Cement.
That's interesting.
What is soil-cement??
Will this hold gravel on a hilly driveway? My gravel continues to wash/slide down hill...
Yes this would work great for that!
If you want a super cheap method, use soil cement.
Can you list the specifics of the grid, where you got it, etc.
I'll be sure to on my update video coming soon. Thanks for your comment!
You can cut your cost even more by quite a bit. The grids are unecessary and the landscape fabric is also optional. The gravel grids are pretty expensive now. 50 for 11sqf. Just put the gravel directly on the ground and it will hold up fine. People out in the country have been using it for years. The angular shape of the gravel locks it together naturally.
This is not true, as someone who owns property with gravel driveway.
Now, most of the gravel is gone, and we're left with just clay-based soil that mixed with the remaining gravel.
When it rains, we have mushy mud with sharp gravel rocks.
Great for an infection if you fall into it! 😄
Woven geotextile fabric will keep the stone from mixing into the gravel when the ground gets wet, and way less expensive than the gravel grid.
@@mikeodonnell5430not on a grade of any significance
I've found that putting gravel straight does indeed sink into the ground. It would require more gravel re- applications for maintenance over time. Also leaves tracks as it's initially loose. I appreciate your comment!
Nice video.
I appreciate the compliment!
I think you spent more than $340 just on those black plastic gravel holders.
Appreciate the comment. Not at all for 58 pieces. It's available locally at the price mentioned. Email me if you're local to So. CA and I'll direct you to the distributor. Thanks!
When I do the math it's more like $960 for a 10'X20' grid
My local price is under $4 per a grid. I appreciate your response as I'll address this on my update video!
Let me know if you have any questions about the process or durability and I'll update as the time goes on!
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If you lay a base of sand it will feel very strong when walking on it. That grid system has been used for over 30 years, but he has discovered a NEW process since he is from California.
Heavy rain with a barrier
Are you getting any standing water and would you implement a slight slope?
@@CamMcB No standing water since the barrier is not water proof. I did grade the area for drainage then overlapped the barrier (similarly like roof shingles) so water would flow in the direction of grading. I like the barrier because it has felt on one side and plastic on the other. It helps with keeping the soil together and drain correctly. I put a link to the barrier in my description.
It looks good. I would recommend that you use stone dust to fill it in further.
@@ZXLMaster Interesting, never considered that? I'll definitely look into it!
aww geometric patters
Why wouldn’t you just have a truck deliver stone it’s much cheaper
I couldn't get the cost under $90 to have a truck deliver stone, especially since gas prices here are about $6 / gallon right now. The Depot store was only 1 block from me so I didn't mind. Having it dumped out of a truck would've been convenient though.
Anyone selling these type grids for cheap yet? Still high on Amazon.
Looks like Amazon still has the best price on them unless you're local to So. CA.
Weed barrier is for noobs ;-P I use pool salt. If weeds come up, pour some salt onto it, water it in and boom, weeds killed.
If you had of put the bags at the back of the truck and simply cut them, you would have saved a whole lot of elbow grease. Smarter, not harder.
Empty bags are reusable
@@GTrainRx7 That's true if I had a forklift, even with the bags at half empty, they aren't realistic to move without equipment. Also the big box store charges a deposit of about the same cost as the gravel itself to keep / damage the bag.
U going to 777
Not sure? but it's working out great 👍