Crusher Run gravel, also known as ‘Crush and Run,’ ‘Graded Aggregate Base,’ or ‘Aggregate Base Course,’ (ABC Stone), has maybe even more applications than its various names suggest.
The material is most typically utilized as a compatible sub-base material in house renovations. It’s a mix of coarse and fine aggregates that serves as a firm, level foundation for the top layers of driveways, patios, and structural foundations.
What is Crusher Run Made Out Of?
Crusher run gravel, unlike clean gravels, contains a mix of fines such as screenings (stone dust) or dirt that blends in with the angular crushed stone to provide the desired compaction and drainage features.
With fines, the result can range in size from 1/2″ to 4″ stones. It may appear to be sand, but it is actually a byproduct of crushing limestone, granite, or whatever coarse rocks are available in your area.
Per cubic yard, crusher run weighs about 2,500 pounds. Depending on the project, the recommended depth of the crusher run base in inches will vary.
What is Crusher Run Used For?
Crusher run is a very versatile material and is frequently used for projects including:
1. Surfacing Material
If you’re building a loose stone driveway, walkway, or another route, you might want to consider using crusher run first. Crusher run not only has a natural and unobtrusive appearance, but it also works well as a surfacing material. Once set down, the particles will join together to form a smooth, flat roadway that will retain its shape even when subjected to high traffic loads. The more crusher run is driven or walked on, the more compacted it becomes.
2. Road and Driveway Base
It is costly and time-consuming to lay down an asphalt or concrete road or driveway. As a result, it must be able to maintain its form and be dependable for traffic for many years. The issue is that, while initially solid and level, heavily used roadways can become strained as the soil underneath them shifts due to the vibrations and weight of the vehicles above.
Crusher run is appropriate for use as a base material because of its low void content. Stones and stone dust have a considerably stronger ability to hold together than dirt alone, resulting in a stable surface that is smooth and safe for driveways.
3. Patio Paver Sub Base
Stone pavers are very stunning, and they increase the value of any home. However, you’ll need a solution to maintain masonry components in place if you want them to continue to look nice and serve their role. Patio pavers and other similar materials can shift or crack over time as a result of changing ground and temperature fluctuations.
To avoid difficulties like this, crusher run is frequently put beneath the paving stones. The quarry technique is capable of producing a dependable and smooth surface that will allow the pavers to be supported as needed.
4. Building Pads
Have you ever seen a building’s floor that has been cracked or stopped being level over time? This is most likely due to the fact that the concrete was poured straight on the dirt below. The structural integrity of the concrete deteriorates as the ground shifts and settles. A coating of crusher run on top of the soil will assist the concrete stay put and survive much longer.
5. Filler Material
Crusher run is a versatile filler material that can be used in a variety of projects. It will efficiently perform whatever purpose you require while remaining highly cost-effective.
6. Backfill
The integrity of the ground is endangered when soil is dug up to install pipes, cables, or wiring. Over time, the voids generated may cause the earth to sink or become unstable. In these cases, crusher run is frequently used to fill in the gaps. The material can enhance strength and durability, ensuring that safety is not compromised.
Benefits of Crusher Run
There are many reasons why you should consider making use of crusher run. Some of its biggest advantages are that it is:
1. Durable
Even when exposed to the harsh weather conditions of the northeast, crusher run is durable and long-lasting. You may be sure that the material will continue to fulfill its purpose for a long time.
2. Affordable
Crusher run is one of the most cost-effective construction materials on the market. This substance is simple to collect and spread, and it goes a long way. As a result, it is incredibly cost-effective.
3. Compact
One of the main benefits of using crusher run is how easy it is to compact. It will keep its shape once spread out and compacted, giving you a flat, dependable surface area.
Crusher run rocks are bonded together well due to their uneven and jagged edges. Because blank spaces are kept to a minimum, the added stone dust helps the components stay together even better.
4. Bondable
Crusher run rocks are bonded together well due to their uneven and jagged edges. Because blank spaces are kept to a minimum, the added stone dust helps the components stay together even better.
Wrapping Up
Crushed run typically comes in diameters ranging from 1′′ to #200 sieve. Despite the fact that the stone particles are this tiny, the substance is actually a mix of crushed stone and stone dust.
The stone dust is mixed together with the crushed stone to reduce the void content. This allows the material to easily hold its shape and place once applied, ensuring that it will provide a stable and solid base or surfacing material.