FAQ

What is the difference between minus and clear products?
Minus types of products contain fines that help the product compact.
Clear products contain no fines as it was washed or screened.  As it takes more resources and time to make, these products are typically more expensive.  These types of products are used when a filtration or drainage is required as it will let water pass through.

What are quarried fines?
Fines are any rocks that are smaller than the specified size of aggregate going all the way down to dust.

What is the difference with crushed stone and gravel?
Crushed stone is produced by using equipment to crush the rock to the specified size.
Gravel is a natural loose material excavated directly from a bank or deposit.  The only process involved with gravel would be screening it to separate its sizes.  Gravel is usually categorized with sand.

What should I use to backfill?
There are 3 types of fill generally used: Gravel, Sand Fill, Clay Fill.  The kind of fill to use will depend on the type of project you are handling – you need to consider the drainage required, the current groundwater level, the weight the backfill will need to withstand and the stability of the natural soil.  Sand and Gravel are good for drainage.  Gravel will compact better so it will help to stabilize the ground being backfilled and avoid shifting in the future.  If you’re worried about erosion problems, then you will want a coarser gravel that will allow the water to drain while not letting the water displace the fill placed.

You should not use the dirt you dug out when digging for your hole as the material is now “uncompacted” and is subject to shift after replacing it in the hole.  If you put anything on top of the soil, it will also shift and may cause damage.

Sand fill can be used as a fill as it will compact very well together.  It will also allow for drainage to a certain point.  Some of sand fill does contain silt which will not allow drainage and may cause shifting after the material is placed.

Gravel such as 6” minus and 2” minus can be used as fill when drainage is important and will also compact well so will secure a base for the project.  Pit run or Granular B type I can also be used as it is more economic and will also ensure compaction and drainage.

Clay Fill is the cheapest material to use as a backfill but is only recommended for leveling landscaped areas or filling holes.  The silt found in clay will not allow proper drainage since it will become hard when is dry and turn into mud when wet.