Despite gravel’s commonplace and humble status, gravel is one of the most highly sought after substances in Northern VA. Gravel is produced (due to its many benefits) by dredging companies hauling up massive quantities of these small rocks from the beds of waterways. But what is all of this gravel being used for? Let’s explore the usefulness of these small sized rocks.
Construction Material:
Over the last hundred or so years, gravel has been elevated from rumble to rock star status as it is increasingly used in more and more projects. Today, it is used to make concrete, to create foundations for new roads, to mix with asphalt, fill construction sites, and even create other construction materials like blocks, pipes, and bricks.
Landscaping and Outdoor Design:
Gravel is the main material used in creating pathways, driveways, and outdoor patios. The landscape industry flourishes thanks to gravel because many homeowners desire these types of features to enhance curb appeal and create perennial interest.
Erosion Control:
Erosion is the process of soil being washed away by rain or tide waters in Virginia. Gravel is spread across areas where runoff creates a potential for mudslides, like mountainsides and yard hill slopes. The gravel can be layered on top of dams, fences, planks, and patches of dirt in order to prevent the soil from being swept away by water. This works because the soil is able to latch onto the gravel, ensuring it stays in place.
Agricultural Uses:
To create agricultural lime, which farmers use to reduce the acidity of their soil and promote crop growth. It is also ground down, and used as a form of mineral feed for poultry, like chickens and turkeys. Poultry requires small rocks and minerals in order to properly break down their food.
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Why should you consider adding a retaining wall to your property in Northern VA? Maybe you’re looking for an elegant solution to erosion and water runoff around your property. Maybe your yard is quite hilly or sloped and you would like to increase the usable space for you and your family. Or maybe you’d simply like to create new spaces for your garden.
Regardless of the reason, adding a retaining wall to your home is an excellent way to simply transform the outdoor space that you and your family enjoy. Rock Stone and Sand Yard, RSSY, Lorton VA inventories hardscaping materials to enhance your Northern VA property. Call (703) 339-8095 today to schedule your free consultation or visit
our web page for more details.
Whether you need a decorative feature or finish in your garden and driveway, bulk bagged aggregates or loose aggregates are an inexpensive choice, really easy to work with, and they certainly help you reduce the time you spend on property upkeep. You can pick-up or request delivery.
Aggregates come in different gradings, and textures, with varying moisture content and various other characteristics that determine the kind of job they are suited for. Let’s look at different types of aggregates and some of their uses so you can make the best choice for your next project.
SAND – There are different types of sand available for construction: sharp sand, ballast, and even recycled sand. Each type has its own uses.
BALLAST SAND – Ballast is a mix of sand and gravel and is generally used when building foundations for specific jobs such as houses and roadways as well as railways.
GRAVEL – Gravel has larger grains than sand. It can be used as part of driveways or pathways, occasionally mixed with concrete but often simply laid down on top.
ROCKS, PEBBLES AND SHINGLE – These types of aggregate come in a variety of colors, shapes, and surface textures. Shingle and stone aggregate can be glassy, smooth, rough, honeycombed, and more, and can be used to create unique and beautiful decorative garden features.
CRUSHED ROCK – One particular type of aggregate is crushed rock, made when larger pieces of rock are crushed into smaller pieces. This makes for another excellent base for forming concrete slabs and driveways.
ROCK DUST – Fine rock dust is a by-product of the quarrying industry and results from rock crushing. Also known as crusher dust, it can be used to improve the soil by remineralization, helping to rebuild topsoil and to speed up growth in your garden.
If you know the type of aggregates you require, use our aggregate calculator to estimate how much you’ll need for your project. Just call (703) 339-8095 to speak to our staff about our aggregates and our pricing or please visit
our webpage for more details.
