Grading, Drainage & Base Preparation

On sand, the groundwork is the job

Rio Rancho's sandy soil drains fast, but it doesn't hold a shape on its own and it erodes quickly once water starts moving. On some lots, there's a layer of hard caliche close to the surface; near the river in Bernalillo, Corrales and Los Ranchos, the soil shifts toward silt and clay. Each needs a slightly different approach, and getting it right is most of what makes a driveway last.

Groundwork services

• Excavation — removing loose sand, roots and debris down to firm ground.
• Soft-spot repair — digging out and replacing areas that won't compact.
• Caliche — breaking out high spots where needed to reach a consistent grade.
• Grading and shaping — slopes, crowns and cross-slopes so water leaves the surface.
• Drainage — swales, rundowns, culverts at road ditches and arroyo crossings, and erosion protection at outlets.
• Aggregate base course — placed in lifts, watered and compacted.
• Gravel regrading — not ready to pave? We'll reshape and add base to bring a worn gravel drive back.

Compaction is what you're paying for

Loose base keeps settling under traffic, and every bit of settlement shows up as a dip or crack in the asphalt. We place base in lifts, bring it to the right moisture, and roll each lift before adding the next. It takes longer than dumping and spreading — and it's the difference you'll notice years from now.

Know where the water goes

At the quote, we look at where water comes onto your lot (the street, neighbors, roofs), where it collects, and where it can safely leave. A driveway that sheds water to a good outlet will outlast a thicker one that traps it.

Common questions

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