Even though concrete is considered a robust and long-lasting construction material, it can eventually crack over time due to various factors. If you want to prolong the lifespan of your concrete slab, you should act on the initial construction stage. Adding a layer of crushed stone under a concrete slab appears to be a brilliant idea – let us explain why in the article. But first, check out our reliable rock crusher to be able to process and recycle stones at home.
Do you have to put gravel under concrete?
For some reason, a layer of crushed rock is vital to strengthen the concrete slab and increase its life. Foremost, it is the first pledge that a concrete slab’s surface will be aligned. If you pour concrete onto the ground itself, it can potentially lead to erosion and cracking. Moreover, once the concrete is sprayed onto the area with plants or roots, it can also make the surface uneven. Paving gravel under concrete can prevent you from these issues.
In addition, layering crushed stone under a concrete slab will serve as proper drainage. Since concrete is prone to absorb the moisture it interacts with, pooling water can quickly erode the material. Gravel under a concrete slab works well as a barrier between the ground and a slab, resulting in better protection against moisture. After all, adding a gravel layer before pouring concrete is ideal for increasing its longevity. Slab cracking usually happens due to ground shifting, but crushed rock paved under a slab remains a solid foundation that can solve this problem.
What size crushed stone under concrete slab?
If you wonder what type of gravel under concrete slab, you are in the right place. In most cases, the ideal gravel option is washed and screened, sized between ¾” to 1″. Once you think about paving crushed rock under concrete larger than 1″, it isn’t the way to go. Such gravel is usually hard to compact and won’t suit specific concrete variations. Larger crushed stones can also prevent the proper foam installation on the top of the rock layer. It is worth mentioning that some technicians select smaller rocks, like pea gravel, to put under a concrete slab. In fact, tiny crushed rocks might work well once they are screened and washed correctly.
How to crush rock for concrete?
There are multiple ways to get crushed stones for paving under a concrete slab. For example, breaking down rocks into smaller pieces is possible manually. You need to stock up with a hammer and specific protective gear for this method. However, the risk of self-injuring while manual rock crushing is still high.
Meanwhile, investing in an industrial rock crusher remains a better idea for most people. Such devices reduce the size of natural rocks and various solid materials quickly and efficiently. They can process large volumes of stones for less time and pose fewer risks of damaging people and surroundings.