Getting compaction right on a new driveway

Compaction is the least visible part of a driveway and the part that decides whether it still looks good in five years. Skimp on it and the surface settles, cracks appear and water gets in.

Compact in layers

Fill in layers of roughly 100mm to 150mm and compact each layer before adding the next. Filling the full depth then running a roller over the top compacts the surface and leaves everything underneath loose.

Use the right machine for the area

A vibrating plate compactor is right for small areas, edges and awkward corners. A trench rammer is what you need in narrow trenches where a plate will not fit. For a full driveway or a larger area, a ride on roller gives a far more even, consistent result and takes a fraction of the time.

Watch the moisture

Material that is bone dry will not bind, and material that is saturated will simply move under the machine. Slightly damp is what you want. If the sub base is holding water, deal with the drainage first.

What we hire for the job

We supply whacker plates, trench rammers and both 100 and 120 ride on rollers across Kent, along with the dumpers to move material and the excavators to dig the sub base out in the first place. Call us with the dimensions of the area and we will suggest the right combination.