Paving a Steep Driveway

Steep Driveway Paving Graphic
[Figure 1]
Steep Driveway Paving Graphic

Steep hillsides pose some of the most difficult challenges to driveway paving installers.

If not installed correctly, natural forces and seasonal weather could cause the driveway to fail. These failures not only damage the driveway, but also any structures or vehicles down-slope of the failure.

Several construction techniques ensure the driveway lasts for years to come. Figure 1 above outlines several of the features including reinforced concrete headers, geo-textile, and drainage mats to protect against erosion from seasonal rains.

Reinforced concrete headers hold up-hill pavers in place, while reducing forces on downhill soil and pavers. The entire driveway is set on a layer of compacted subsoil and class two base, but these concrete headers extend below both these foundations. An independent layer of base supports this rebar-enforced header. This crushed granite foundation ensures water or moister won’t affect the header, and also protect against soil movement.

On the uphill side of this header is a drainage mat to protect against erosion from seasonal rains. A combination of geo-textile and plastic matting. This feature directs water away from the driveway towards a drainage gutter. If water is NOT directed off the driveway, the flow can accelerate and wash joint sand from driveway stones. Once the joint sand is washed away and water begins flowing under stones, driveway failure is eminent. Drainage mats, along with a few installation trade secrets, protects the driveway from destructive water flow. Furthermore, this water runoff can be collected and used for landscaping in the future. Some technologies that collect this runoff are rain barrels and detention basins with water safe plants.

Geo-textile materials also increase the endurance and lifespan of steeply sloped driveway installations. While air and moisture pass freely through the material, soil, roots, and pests have difficulty passing through this barrier. This ensures the pavers remain level years after installation. The geo-textile also helps prevent soil movement and keeps silt out of the crushed granite base.

[Figure 2] Steeply sloped driveway installation by Genesis
Genesis prides itself in displaying it’s technical success in steeply graded paving projects. Licensed heavily enough to build cities (see list below), Genesis is more than prepared to take on challenging projects like the driveway in Figure 2. With the experience, man power, and certifications to serve, we’d love to bid on your project! For a free in-home consultation call us at 888.389.5533, or visit our free estimate page.

Lic# 758056:  A-General Engineering, B-General Building, C29-Masonry, C27-Landscaping, C53-Swimming Pools, C61-Interlocking Paving, C1-Electrical, D06-Concrete Related Services.

7 Replies to “Paving a Steep Driveway”

  1. Thanks for sharing this advice! I had no idea that there could be so many complications if you don’t pave your driveway correctly. My husband and I were thinking of repaving our driveway over the weekend, but now I think we will get a professional. I don’t want to end up with a bunch of costly repairs!

  2. What an excellent inrinsipg article. I really am very impressed with your musings.You always post extremely helpful stuff. Keep it up.Keep blogging. Really looking forward to reading your next posting.

  3. I do consider all of the concepts you’ve offered for your post.

    They’re really convincing and can definitely work. Still, the posts are too quick for newbies.
    Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time?

    Thank you for the post.
    Kim recently posted…KimMy Profile

  4. I find it curious that you put geotextile materials. It is such a stranger in this modern cyber-metal world that you put rocks in your materials. In any case, we would love a driveway paving expert to guide us on natural materials for our backyard driveway that is slightly uphill.

  5. I like that you tried to have concrete headers to hold up the car in place. My wife and I are considering this kind of driveway since our location is steep as well. We will need residential paving services to help us out on this.

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