Premier Gravel Pathway & Driveway Installation and Repair Services in Kent
Let’s be real—a well-constructed gravel surface is more than just throwing down some stones. If you overlook vital steps like base preparation, fabric installation, or proper compaction, you’ll be left with a muddy mess after every rainstorm. Our goal? To create paths and driveways that divert water, remain intact, and look fantastic—even on Kent’s charming hills and winding lanes.
What Challenges Do We Tackle?
- Potholes and Ruts: Constant battle with washouts after every storm.
- Muddy Winters & Dusty Summers: Without a solid base, you’ll face a year-round headache.
- Gravel Migration: Let’s prevent gravel from invading your lawns, flower beds, and streets due to poor edging.
- Standing Water: No more pooling at your garage or gate from improper grading.
- Exposed Fabric: We’ll tackle wheel ruts that compromise your gravel integrity—because who wants that?
What We Install (And Why It Works)
Proper Base: We carefully excavate soft spots, adding crushed rock base (not round rock) in compacted layers for ultimate stability.
Geotextile Road Fabric: Applied only where necessary—under your driveways and paths to prevent base and clay mixing (not in planting beds).
Correct Top Course:
- Paths: We use ¼″-10 or ⅜″ minus for a smooth finish—perfect for heels and strollers.
- Driveways: Opt for ⅝″ minus or 1¼″ minus that interlocks solidly and won’t slip.
Real Compaction: We use plate and roller compaction for every lift; no shortcuts here!
Edges That Hold: Steel/aluminum edging or timber/concrete restraints keep your gravel in its place.
Proper Drainage: We ensure a crown or cross-slope (⅛–¼″ per foot), swales, or tie-ins to drains when needed.
Stabilization Options: Honeycomb/gravel grids are our go-to for steep drives and tight turns.
While pea gravel is lovely, it shifts too easily. We’ll use it for decorative areas only—never where vehicles need traction!
Install & Repair Options
- Full Build: From excavation and fabric installation to base layers, top course application, and edging—we handle it all!
- Resurface: We can rejuvenate your surface by scarifying ruts, adding base, resetting the grade, and applying fresh minus, followed by compaction.
- Drainage Fixes: Need a channel drain or catch basin? We can reroute downspouts away from your drive as well.
- Tight Access Specialists: We excel in navigating alley pads, side-yard ribbons, and slope approaches.
Quick Coverage & Ordering (Making It Simple)
- 1 cubic yard at a 2″ depth covers approximately 160 sq ft—a handy rule of thumb for minus products.
- Base Math: For a 4″ base over 400 sq ft, you’ll need around 5 yd³; don’t forget to add 10–15% for compaction losses.
- Generally, a driveway refresh requires 1–3 yd³ of ⅝″ minus, based on the rut depth.
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s Best Friend)
- Pothole/Rut Repair: We’re all about scarifying, adding base, and re-compacting—no quick fixes here!
- Edge Patrol: We’ll re-spike edging and tidy up stray gravel from your lawn and walkways.
- Drainage Check: Keeping inlets clear and adjusting swales after heavy storms is our priority.
- Top-Up Passes: A light refresh of fines ensures a locked-in surface.
- Weed Control: We prioritize Integrated Pest Management with pre-emergent treatments and hand-pulling along edges.
We’re a low-maintenance landscaping crew focused on fewer potholes, reduced tracking, and extending the lifespan of your surfaces.
Service Cadences (Choose What Works for You)
- Quarterly: Includes spring/fall resets and two checks during storm season.
- Bi-Monthly: Perfect for shaded, littered, or steep sites.
(New builds on slopes may start out monthly for the first 60–90 days, then taper off.)
What’s Included in Annual Maintenance
- A detailed grade read and a low-spot map complete with photos.
- Our scarify/compact method for potholes (no “top it and hope” strategy).
- Edging resets and cleanup along borders.
- Drainage inlet clean-out and minor swale adjustments.
- Optional dust control treatment during peak summer months.
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- Safer Footing & Traction: Enjoy fewer slips and less washboarding.
- Longer Surface Life: Locked fines mean less rock loss and tracking.
- Cleaner Look: Crisp edges, consistent color, and no scattered gravel.
- Lower Costs: Timely, small fixes are much more budget-friendly than full rebuilds.
How the Process Works
- Free Estimate: We kick things off with a quick walkthrough or photos to provide clear, upfront pricing.
- Plan & Prep: We confirm your base and fabric needs, edging, and drainage routes.
- Build/Repair Day: We excavate, install fabric, add base lifts, apply the top course, compact, edge, and leave the area spotless.
- Follow-Up: You’ll receive easy care tips (like when to rake and where to top up) along with any additional options.
Why Kent Chooses Neat & Tidy
- We’re a local crew familiar with clay pockets, steep alleys, and the heavy winter rain of Kent.
- Licensed & insured for your peace of mind.
- Transparent pricing—all materials, labor, hauling, and disposal are included.
- We take pride in our punctual, respectful, and tidy work.
- Eco-friendly approach—prioritizing permeable surfaces, smart water management, and minimizing landfill waste.
Ready for a driveway or path that truly stands the test of time?
Call or text Neat & Tidy today for a gravel install or repair that drains, compacts, and stays put. We’ll keep it neat—so you can enjoy your space without the hassle.
