Stone base

[Mac25]

What is the consensus on the best stone base to use for concrete? I was going to use 53's with dust and compact it.

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[vtsnowedin]

What is the consensus on the best stone base to use for concrete? I was going to use 53's with dust and compact it.

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Need more info. Are you placing a slab for a heated or non heated building? Or are you paving aprons sidewalks or driveways? What is the subsoil type and drainage?

 

[s219]

If going over stable compacted sub base, we use #78 gravel here, as it's easily raked and self compacts.

 

[LD1]

Numbers for stone are different in different parts of the country.

I like what we call 57's. Which is ~3/4" screened. And I like it in the limestone variety and not gravel. It locks in well, and goes farther per ton than the stuff with the dust.

 

[bigtiller]

My last contractor likes to use a crushed limestone that is 3/8 inch and without the fine dust. It grades as easy as sand and after compacting it is hard to disturb.

I think using a product with the fine dust would impede water movement, when water get under it.

 

[vtsnowedin]

3/4" screened stone with clean sand added to chink it works well. It makes a strong base and is free draining. The stone dust mixtures hold water and can cause frost problems. If ground water is a problem or the subsoil is organic (black and mushy when wet) Cut out a couple of feet more and back-fill with bank run sand or gravel then cap with a stone base top layer.