A properly built driveway starts with the right base, grade, and drainage — not just gravel on top of dirt. Serving Collierville, Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, Cordova, Arlington, Lakeland, Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, Hernando, Millington, and the surrounding greater Memphis area.
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We walk the driveway route with you, assess the existing conditions, and provide a clear estimate covering subgrade prep, drainage, and aggregate requirements.
We clear vegetation, strip topsoil, establish the driveway grade, and compact the subgrade — building a stable foundation that prevents settling and soft spots.
Geotextile fabric is placed over the subgrade, followed by a compacted crushed stone base and the finish aggregate layer — built to the correct crown and slope for drainage.
We finish-grade edges, clean up disturbed areas, and leave you with a firm, well-draining driveway ready for use.
A gravel driveway built on unprepared ground won't last — the clay soil underneath shifts, erodes, and turns into a muddy mess after rain. Iron Faith Dirt Works builds driveways the right way: starting with proper subgrade preparation and drainage grading before a single load of gravel is placed. The result is a firm, well-draining surface that holds up through seasons of Tennessee rain and summer heat. For new driveways, we begin by grubbing vegetation and topsoil from the driveway footprint, establishing proper grade for drainage, and compacting the subgrade. We then install a geotextile fabric to prevent gravel migration into the clay below, followed by a crushed stone base layer and a finish aggregate surface. Proper crown or cross-slope is built in so water sheds to the sides rather than channeling down the middle or pooling in low spots. For existing driveways with rutting, potholes, erosion, or drainage problems, we provide regrading and reconditioning services. We reshape the surface, address subgrade failures, add new aggregate where needed, and re-establish proper crown and slope. Collierville and the greater Memphis area see frequent heavy rain events, and a well-graded, properly drained driveway is the key to avoiding the annual cycle of washouts and repairs.
Collierville's heavy clay soil expands when wet and shrinks when dry. A properly prepared subgrade with geotextile fabric prevents gravel from sinking into the clay — keeping your driveway firm season after season.
Crown and cross-slope grading sheds rainwater off the driveway surface, preventing washouts, ruts, and the erosion that destroys driveways built without proper drainage planning.
Gravel driveways cost 30–60% less than asphalt to install while offering better permeability and natural drainage — ideal for rural properties and long driveways in the Memphis area.
We use the right machinery — graders, compactors, and dump trucks — to build a driveway that's consistent in grade and compaction from end to end.
Most gravel driveway problems in the Memphis area come down to two things: poor subgrade preparation and inadequate drainage grading. If gravel was placed on top of clay without a proper base, or if the driveway doesn't shed water to the sides, erosion and soft spots are inevitable. We fix the root cause, not just the symptoms.
In most cases, yes — especially in West Tennessee's heavy clay soil. Geotextile fabric separates the gravel base from the clay subgrade, preventing the gravel from migrating down into the soil over time. Without it, you'll lose your driveway base gradually and face constant regrading and topping-off.
A properly built driveway typically needs 4–6 inches of compacted crushed stone base plus a finish aggregate layer, for a total of 6–8 inches of aggregate. The exact amount depends on your subgrade condition and traffic load. We assess this during the estimate visit.
Yes. If your driveway crosses a drainage swale or ditch, we can install a properly sized culvert pipe to maintain water flow while providing a solid driveway crossing. This is common on rural properties throughout Shelby County.
Annual or bi-annual regrading to restore crown and fill ruts is the most important maintenance task. Periodically adding a new top layer of aggregate restores surface stability. Keeping edges clear of vegetation prevents encroachment that traps water against the driveway surface.
Serving Collierville, Memphis, Germantown, Bartlett, Cordova, Arlington, Lakeland, Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, Hernando, Millington, and the surrounding greater Memphis area.
Call or text (870) 636-2639 or fill out our online contact form. We'll schedule a site visit and provide a detailed, no-obligation estimate.
Based in Collierville, we provide professional excavation, land clearing, grading, and drainage services to homeowners and businesses across the greater memphis area.
+ Surrounding communities within the Greater Memphis Area
