Construction sand can be used for all kinds of important projects. Whether it’s for commercial landscaping uses or industrial cleanup projects, this material is very popular. 

Hopefully this information will help you better understand how sand is used throughout the construction industry — here are some frequently asked questions pertaining to construction utility sand: 

• Where does construction sand come from? — Sand and gravel deposits typically come from river flood plains, river channels, and glacial deposits. Every state in the country can produce both sand and gravel (over a billion tons produced each year, in fact).
  
  
• What are the various sizes of sand? — Sand has multiple grain sizes. Beach sand typically comes in very fine grains and can be implemented for playground use, as well as golf course bunkers, sandboxes, and volleyball courts.
  
  
• Can I use sea sand for construction projects? — Since beach sand does not have high compressive strength and high tensile strength, it typically isn’t used during construction projects. Keep in mind, however, the salt in beach sand can absorb moisture from atmosphere, which leads to a dampened material, allowing the washed out sand to be utilized for concrete work.
  
  
• What can be made from sand? — There are plenty of ways sand can be altered for various construction and other uses. Glass is actually made from liquid sand by heating ordinary sand material until it completely liquefies. That won’t happen on a typical beach, though, as sand needs temperatures of approximately 3,090 degrees Fahrenheit to melt.
  
  
• Can topsoil be used as sand? — In some instances, yes, since there are three types of topsoil, including loam, clay, and sand itself. Loam, which is a fertile topsoil, is a combination of sand and clay.
  
  
• What are some of the other types of sand? — There is pit sand, which is a course material that it primarily used in concreting; river sand that works great for plastering and other construction tasks; and crushed stone, which is manufactured by crushing granite or basalt rock.

If you want to learn more about the various uses of construction sand, or work with quality crushed gravel and concrete hauling services, give Builders Sand and Gravel a call today!

Running a successful business means keeping your employees happy, your customers happy, and all your finances in order. But there is so much more. You need to also make sure that your physical property’s landscape looks terrific. 

Here are some fantastic tips to improve the look of your commercial business’s landscape: 

• • Focus on the entrance — Though your entire commercial property needs to look great, you need to focus primarily on the building’s entrance. Your business needs to seem inviting and welcoming to everyone that arrives or passes by. You could have a remarkable looking building, a fantastic company in general, and great employees, but if your landscaping entrance doesn’t look all that great, you’re likely going to take some financial hits. Additionally, your company’s driveway should be the focal point of your entrance. A properly installed driveway can last up to 10 years with regular upkeep. Concrete hauling services can deliver you plenty of crushed gravel and other materials that can help you construct a great looking driveway.

• • Keep the lawn looking great — Mowing your lawn at home can be done about once a week, but you’re going to need to do more for your commercial property. Keeping your lawn freshly cut and looking good is a must for all commercial property owners. You don’t have to do this yourself (though you can), so consider hiring a professional lawn care service so your lawn always looks great — it’ll be well worth it.

• • Plant some attractive plants — Having a nice lawn is important, but you’re going to need to do more than just have plain grass along your property line. Concrete hauling services don’t exclusively deliver concrete products, so take advantage of these organizations by having washed gravel, landscaping rocks, and topsoil delivered to your business so you can really get creative with your commercial landscaping. Use these landscaping materials to give your property’s garden some outdoor features that look fantastic. Outlining your garden with some stone pathways or other hardscaping features, for instance, can not only improve your landscape’s appearance, but it will also increase the overall value of your property.

If you’re in need of experienced concrete hauling services or topsoil delivery, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc a call right away. 

All across the country, broken down dirt and gravel roads might look good for photography projects, but when it comes to transportation, these roads are in dire need of assistance. 

That’s where crushed gravel and material maintenance comes in. 

At the residential level, homeowners love using crushed rockery rocks and crushed gravel to improve their property’s hardscapes. In fact, according to the 2017 Houzz Landscape Trends study, 38% of homeowners upgrading their pathways, driveways, patios, terraces, and using crushed rock and gravel. 

These landscaping rocks are great for residential landscaping purposes, but civil engineering departments need to start finding ways to use these materials to tend to broken down roadways. 

According to Lancaster Farming, in Pennsylvania, where many broken-down gravel and dirt roads are located, statewide programs are finally beginning to address some of these problems. 

More than $500,000 has been funneled to approximately 150 projects to address concerns about dirt, gravel, and little-used paved roads across Lancaster County. Under the Pennsylvania Dirt, Gravel and Low-Volume Road Program, drainage has improved on about 90% of the county’s 82 miles of unpaved roads, keeping storm water from flushing harmful dirt and other pollutants into adjacent streams. Additionally, 10 miles of the area’s lowest-volume paved roads (which see fewer than 500 vehicles a day) have been fitted with rain gardens, upgraded gravel and pavement projects, and other measures to control storm water runoff and maintain roadway durability. 

“I’m real pleased the township has done this,” said Terry Frantz, who has lived on a broken down crushed gravel roadway in Pennsylvania for 43 years. 

The Pennsylvania Dirt and Gravel Roads Maintenance Program increased its efforts in 2014 from $5 million a year to $35 million for statewide roadway renovations. 

“The municipalities see the funding as road maintenance funds on roads that do not get a lot of traffic,” added Matt Kofroth, watershed coordinator for the Lancaster County Conservation District. “We see it as water quality improvements on roads that are typically adjacent to fragile stream environments.” 

Of course, this is just one example of a locality dealing with washed out and broken-down gravel roads. You can find these roadways just outside the borders of every major U.S. city. Fortunately, dirt and gravel roads and driveways are often much easier to repair than typical paved roads. Often, drainage gravel and gravel delivery services are all that’s required to repair a road for years to come.

Property owners who neglect their landscape often struggle to sell their homes for a decent price when the time comes. Similarly, those who don’t put much outdoor work in rarely spend time in their yards or enjoy the look and feel of their property at all. That’s why you should be doing everything you can to improve your outdoor property’s appearance this spring, which is the perfect time to start such projects.

Of course, landscaping could include everything from planting new shade trees to building a massive new outdoor patio. For homeowners looking for small-scale projects to get started on, utilizing rockery rocks is a great beginner’s landscaping project. Landscaping rocks — rockery rocks, pea gravel, river rocks — are relatively inexpensive landscaping materials, and supply companies can deliver them directly to your property. Then, all you need is a wheelbarrow and shovel.

Here are some tips for utilizing landscaping rocks in the best ways possible: 

• • Select the right type of landscaping rocks — There are all kinds of rocks out there for you to purchase and start placing around your property, but some materials are much better options for certain projects than others. Consult with a landscaping professional to find out what rocks work best for certain tasks. For instance, large rockery rocks are ideal for delineating the borders of a garden or fire pit, while pea gravel is ideal for creating pathways and patios.

• • Work with a gravel delivery service — Identifying the rocks you’re going to be using on your property is one thing, but getting all that material to your backyard is another. Thankfully, there are professional gravel delivery services that can bring the exact amount of landscaping rock right to your doorstep. Don’t pile in all that heavy material into your sedan; get help from the professionals.

• • Construct a water feature — Using rocks to outline a small pond or water feature on your lawn can give a major boost in visual appearance and overall value to your property. River rock is a popular option for this kind of project because it’s smooth and typically only one to two inches in diameter.

• • Replace mulch with crushed gravel — Rather than dealing with mulch, which has its perks but can be less visually appealing than other materials, place down some crushed gravel around your property’s garden. Crushed gravel can give your lawn a fresh, distinguished look and often works just as well as mulch for drainage purposes.

If you want to find out more about how landscaping rocks can improve the look and feel of your property, or work with a legitimate drainage gravel delivery service here in the Seattle region, give Builder’s Sand and Gravel Inc. a call today. 

How can I improve my home’s landscape? What can I use gravel for? When should I start working on my landscaping projects?

These are questions property owners ask themselves on a regular basis. You should never neglect your home’s landscape because property improvements can increase your home’s value and can result in your landscape looking so much more appealing. Here are some frequently asked questions that are asked pertaining to landscaping improvement projects: 

1. How can I improve my home’s landscape? — This question doesn’t have one single answer because there are an infinite ways to strengthen your property’s appearance. Everything from planting a small garden to completely reinventing your landscape can improve your property significantly.
   
   
2. What can I use gravel for? — Landscaping crushed gravel and construction sand are great materials for property improving tasks. A one-inch layer of crushed gravel can provide quality weed control, crushed gravel can be used to outline a garden or home’s fencing, crushed gravel can be used to accentuate hardscapes on your property, and so much more.
   
   
3. When should I start working on my landscaping projects? — This is the easiest answer of them all: right away! Even if it’s the middle of winter, you can still start planning for your upcoming landscaping projects and begin purchasing all the necessary materials and equipment.
   
   
4. Do I have to transport all that material myself? — For small landscaping projects, you can probably head to your local home improvement shop and get what you need. But for major tasks, it’s better to work with topsoil delivery and concrete hauling services. These organizations can deliver and drop-off the exact amount of product needed for any major landscaping task.

If you still find yourself asking “what can I use gravel for?” or any of these other commonly asked questions, you’re going to need some professional assistance. Additionally, if you are hoping to find some high quality crushed gravel products and rockery rocks for landscaping purposes, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc. a call right away!

Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, you need to make sure you’re considering every single outdoor aspect of your property. Just because the interior of your building looks great doesn’t mean that your exterior is anything to write home about. You need to spend some time and resources improving your landscape, and the first place you should start is the driveway. 

Residential and commercial driveways are the first features of a property that people will see upon their arrival. Even if your home or business looks amazing, if the driveway is in rough shape, it’s going to take away from the overall building appearance. 

Here are some tips for having an attractive driveway: 

1. 1. Crushed gravel usage — When installing a new gravel driveway, it’s best to use three sizes of gravel for maximum look and performance. The bottom layer of gravel should consist of about four inches of larger size rocks; the middle layer should be between three to four inches of golf ball-size rocks; and the top layer of gravel should again be about four inches of rocks that resemble marbles.

1. 1. Work with professionals — If you attempt to install your driveway yourself, whether it’s for residential or commercial purposes, you run the risk of having a lesser quality product. By working with professionals, your driveway will be able to last much longer (possibly even 10 years), provided you’re staying on top of regular maintenance.

1. Don’t forget about cleanup — Once the driveway has been constructed, far too many homeowners and commercial property owners neglect the final step: cleanup. Luckily there are skilled concrete removal services that can efficiently and effectively clear up the entire driveway consecution site. It’s equally as important to work with professional driveway installers as it is to work with skilled concrete removal workers.

If you want to learn more about removing debris from construction sites, find quality rockery rocks or sand for sand boxes, or speak with a professional concrete removal service, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc a call today.

If you’re a homeowner, you have to spend just as much time, energy, and effort improving your outdoors as you do on your home’s interior. Since landscaping can increase your home’s resale value by up to 14%, you should always be searching for new ways to improve your home’s look and implement some quality landscaping projects. 

Performing quality landscape improvement projects doesn’t have to involve saving for years, cleaning your schedule for a few months, and working extremely hard for as long as it possibly takes. Though you can do some of these major reconstructive landscape projects that will yield the highest return on your investment, there are plenty of smaller projects you can do that will produce excellent results. 

Doing something as simple as lining your porch or garden with landscaping rocks can actually yield some excellent return on investment benefits. Keep in mind, however, you can’t just order a whole bunch of crushed gravel, and place it down onto your property, expecting it to turn out looking great. You should probably do a little research on how to place landscaping rocks and perform various do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping projects. 

There are knowledgeable gravel and topsoil delivery services that can provide you with all the information you need to perform many of these landscaping tasks, as well as the necessary products and materials involved. Keep in mind, however, they won’t just do all these jobs for you, so you have to make sure you’re ready for rolling up your sleeves and doing some outdoor work yourself. 

Whether you need rockery rocks delivered to your home for providing your property features with a visually appealing stone border, or would rather fresh topsoil brought to your property for significantly improving your outdoor garden, working with landscaping supply companies is your best bet. 

Never stop working on improving your home’s landscape and give some of these effective DIY projects a try. If you’re in need of drainage gravel delivery, topsoil delivery, or just want to learn more about using quality landscaping rocks to improve your property, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc. a call today. 

Soil is an essential part of not only small-time gardening projects, but the visual appearance of the entire planet as well. There are three types of topsoil, including sand, loam, and clay. Of these three types, however, there are plenty of soil uses. Hopefully this guide well help you better understand this essential material. 


Here are some commonly asked questions about soil and soil uses: 

• • What is soil made of? — Soil is a mixture of organic matter, gases, liquids, organisms, and other minerals. All these items mixed together support life on earth.

• • How is soil evaluated? — Soil is evaluated on two basic features: its texture and its fertility.

• • What does soil actually do? — Soils can do all kinds of things, including provide a healthy habitat for animals and organisms to live. Additionally, soil can absorb and purify the majority of water found in terrestrial systems. Soils can also modify the atmosphere by emitting and absorbing gases and dust, as well as process recycled nutrients, including carbon, so that living things can use them over and over again.

• • Is all soil the same color? — No, color can actually tell a lot about the soil’s mineral content. For example, soils high in iron are a deep orange-brown and yellowish color, and soils with a lot of organic material are closer to a dark black.

• • Does soil itself have layers? — Soil is the uppermost layer of the earth, but it does, in fact, have layers itself. Topsoil is the uppermost layer of soil and is usually between two and eight inches thick.

• • What are the other layers of soil? — At the bottom comes bedrock, followed by parent material, then subsoil, and directly underneath topsoil is the eluviated horizon.

If you want to learn more about the various soil uses there are in the world or work with a topsoil delivery or drainage gravel delivery service, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc a call today. 

Drainage gravel can be great for homeowners who are experiencing constant water issues across their properties. Even a small puddle can grow into a significant and expensive damaging problem. 


Since unwanted water accumulation can lead to extremely costly property issues — resulting in waterlogged swamps, ruined gardens, and slippery walkways — property owners need to always be on the lookout for ways to both prevent these damages and address them once it’s too late. That’s where drainage gravel comes into play. 


Water moves through gravel a lot faster than it does through the majority of soil and other materials. Since the drainage process is expedited when gravel is used at the base of the water body, puddles and wet areas are able to dry out quickly instead of pooling up on top of soil and other land materials. 


It’s recommended to place down a few layers of crushed rock or sand underneath the gravel in order to stabilize the drainage surface. When it comes to drainage material layer size, typically a two- to three-inch layer of gravel will effectively deter water buildup. 


River rock is another popular type of smooth gravel that can be used to prevent significant water accumulation within your property. This type of washed gravel is about one to two inches in diameter. 


If the water damage on your property is significant and existing in elevated beds, you will need an additional later of gravel at the very bottom of the bed — underneath the topsoil — that allows the water to travel through the soil faster and prevents it from pooling up higher than the raised bed. 


Landscaping rocks are great for aesthetic purposes, as well. Homeowners can place down a few layers of gravel to act as a border alongside fences, gardens, or outdoor features. Additionally, gravel pathways can make any lawn look great. 


If you are in need of topsoil delivery or want to learn more about using drainage gravel and other rockery rocks to control water accumulation, prevent landscaping damage, and give you the best looking property available, give Builders Sand and Gravel Inc. a call today. 

If you are planning some do-it-yourself (DIY) projects over the next few months or years, you need to make sure you have all the right materials necessary to complete any job you begin. Using construction sand and certain types of rockery rocks can make a significant difference when it comes to your final project, because often these materials are literally the foundation of any successful DIY landscaping project.

And though small gravel materials can work great for many such DIY projects, construction sand is a much better option for larger construction projects. Here are a few different types of sand and sand mixtures that are used in the DIY construction sector: 

• Building Sand — Building sand is the main type of sand used for construction purposes. It’s a natural resource that has been used for centuries to build and construct various structures. Marine sand and glacial deposit sand are great for various water-related jobs as well.

• Mortar — This is a mixture of sand, water, and cement. Mortar can be used to bind dense building materials like brick, concrete masonry units, and stones together to seal the gaps and fortify the structure.

• Concrete — Concrete is great for both heavy-duty construction projects and smaller, more creative DIY property jobs. This is a mixture of aggregate water, cement, and building sand that can also use additional additives to ether slow or accelerate the hardening of the material mixture.

These various types of building materials can work great for liner protection underneath bodies of water, for surrounding electrical or communication cables, to improve drainage in flow bed, for play areas for pets or children, for creating a foundation for patios and other hardscapes, and dozens of other DIY projects. Additionally, since there are three types of topsoil, including sand, loam, and clay, these materials can be used for various landscaping projects as well. 

If you want to find sand for your DIY needs, be sure to consider the local availability from nearby building sand suppliers, the overall quality of the sand, and the delivery options you have available to you. 

Whether you’re using sand for sand boxes or sand for major construction jobs, be sure to work with the right supplier. If you want to learn more about the importance of using the right type of construction sand, crushed gravel, or other materials, contact Builder’s Sand and Gravel right away, and good luck during your DIY construction projects!