West Seattle Gravel patio installation
Homeowner’s Issue
West Seattle yards face a specific set of headaches: lots of rain, pockets of clay and glacial till, shaded slopes, and roots from big evergreens. Rainy winters leave yards saturated and muddy; compaction and poor drainage turn flat spots into puddles. South- and west-facing corners near Alki or Harbor Avenue can get wind and salt spray, while properties up by High Point and Admiral sit on steeper pitches that funnel runoff toward driveways and neighbor fences. Lawns and beds here are prone to moss and persistent weeds where shade meets moisture, and many HOAs want tidy, low-profile surfaces that don’t look neglected.
A well-built gravel patio solves several recurring West Seattle problems: it gives you a dry entertaining area, lets stormwater infiltrate where appropriate, and reduces mowing and edging. But a lazy installation—no base prep, no proper edge restraint, or wrong gravel choice—means wandering stones, weed growth, and poor compaction. We design for local soil types, take slope and runoff into account, and use permeable methods that respect city drainage and water-use guidance. No herbicides: we use mechanical removal, organic controls, and mulch/fabric systems to keep weeds down and the site healthy year-round.
Our Quality Service
We install gravel patios the practical way: site assessment, grade work, edge restraint, geotextile where needed, compacted base, and the right gravel finished smooth and stable. We use plate compactors, wheelbarrows, hand tools, and small skid loaders on larger jobs. Typical timeline: small patios in a day, medium jobs 1–2 days, larger or sloped sites 2–4 days.
Local insight we apply on every job:
- Account for Seattle’s seasonal rains and design positive drainage away from foundations.
- Choose base depth and rock type for West Seattle’s mixed soils and hill gradients.
- Avoid runoff into alleyways or storm drains; promote percolation where suitable.
- Follow Seattle guidance on water use — we don’t use herbicides and prefer moisture-wise planting edges.
Benefits: safer, non-muddy surfaces; improved curb appeal; minimal upkeep; durable, permeable results that work with local weather.
What’s Included
- Site walk and compacted base layout.
- Edge restraint (steel or recycled plastic) and optional paver/stone border.
- Geotextile placement in high-weed areas.
- Base rock, compacted fines, and finished gravel surface (pea gravel, crushed rock, or architectural gravel per selection).
- Final raking, compaction, and edge clean-up.
- Job-site hauling of removed material (see options).
Options / Upgrades:
- Mulch + fabric for planted borders.
- Organic weed control program (manual removal + corn gluten where appropriate).
- Haul-away vs. green‑bin / yard‑waste disposal.
- Seating pad reinforcement (squared pavers set into gravel).
- Low-voltage perimeter lighting or planter bed prep.
Before & After / Expectations
Expect some noise and a working mess during the install—compactors hum, and trucks deliver rock. Access through a driveway or alley makes things faster; tight access may add time. We leave the site usable the same day for small patios and give a 24–48 hour settling window on new surfaces before heavy furniture.
Care tips for West Seattle:
- Rake gravel annually and top up 1/4–1/2 inch every 2–4 years depending on use.
- Watch for moss in heavy shade; thin overhead canopy if moss becomes persistent.
- Clear leaves and debris in fall to prevent compaction and drainage blockages.
- For slopes, check edges after heavy storms and recompact or reset as needed.
We never spray herbicides; weed work is mechanical, organic, or preventive (fabric + proper edge).
FAQs
Q: How long before I can use the patio?
A: Light use same day for small installs; allow 24–48 hours for full settling on larger jobs.
Q: Will gravel wash away in heavy rain?
A: Proper edge restraint and the right base keep gravel in place. On steep pitches we use terraces or retaining edges to control movement.
Q: Do you use weed fabric?
A: Yes, where appropriate. We pair fabric with proper base and a gravel depth that discourages weed rooting.
Q: Can we have a seating area or fire pit?
A: Yes. We can install reinforced pads or integrate pavers so furniture and fire features sit stable.
Q: Are herbicides used?
A: No. We use hand-pulling, organic options, and physical barriers only.
Call to Action
If you live in West Seattle—Alki, Lincoln Park, Admiral, or nearby—and want a low-maintenance, sustainable patio that handles PNW weather, we’ll give you a straightforward estimate and a realistic timeline. Quick scheduling for simple jobs; phased plans for bigger slopes.
Email neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com to book a free estimate. Phone: 206-538-9344. Local, practical, and built to last.
