How to Lay a Weed Barrier Under a Gravel Driveway

Putting a weed barrier down under a gravel driveway can help you significantly lower the amount of weeds that you have to deal with each year. While it may not be a completely foolproof option, it will make things easier on you when it comes to dealing with the weeds in your driveway. Follow the simple steps below to plan and lay a weed barrier under a gravel driveway.

Step 1 - Remove the Top Layer and Level

To begin, remove the top layer of soil or rocks from the driveway area. You need to make sure that there is no organic matter under the area where the driveway will be located, so remove any sticks, roots, grass or any other plants that are in the area. If you have access to a tractor, this would be one of the best ways to do this part of the project. Use the front of your tractor to scrape the top layer off of the ground. If you do not have a tractor, you will have to do this part of the project with a shovel and some manual labor.

Step 2 - Pack It Down

After you have removed the top layer of soil and rocks, you need to make sure that the surface is very solid. Rent a compactor, which will help you pack down the dirt so that it will be solid. Without the proper amount of density, the gravel driveway will not perform very well in the future.

Step 3 - Lay the Barrier

At this point, you need to lay the weed barrier down on the driveway. Some people prefer using a geotextile fabric while others like using traditional landscaping fabric. Geotextile fabric is generally a little bit more durable and will stand up to the wear and tear under a driveway. This type of fabric comes in large rolls. Have a friend help you roll them out onto the surface of the driveway. Make sure that every part of the driveway is covered with this type of fabric. This will help prevent weeds from making their way down into the soil.

Step 4 - Cover with Gravel

Once you have the fabric on the ground, you need to cover it up with gravel; there are several different types of gravel that you could use for a driveway. Pour the gravel that you have chosen on top of the landscaping fabric. Make sure that it is evenly spread over the surface and level. After you cover the entire area with gravel, use your compactor to press down the gravel. This will help compact the driveway, which will make it more smooth and much more durable.