It is unwise for you to attempt to stabilise the soil on your property without involving experts. This is because you may not know how the site factors will affect the different materials and processes that may be used during the process before your driveway or pavement is constructed. Below are several factors that influence the soil stabilisation process.
Organic Matter
The organic content in the soil can affect the stabilisation process. For example, large amounts of organic matter can lower the pH of the soil to be stabilised after reacting with the additives in the materials that are being used during the process. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the percentage of organic matter in the soil so that an allowance for the resultant reactions can be made when designing the soil stabilisation process to be used.
Moisture Content
It is also important to measure the moisture content of the soil before the soil stabilisation process can begin. Different soil stabilisation products, such as quicklime and cement, require varying amounts of moisture to produce the desired results. The level of moisture found may influence the choice of a product to use. Failure to do so can result in unsatisfactory results due to incomplete reactions between the soil and the products that have been used to stabilise that soil.
The Temperature
The reactions between the soil and the binders used during the stabilisation process have temperature requirements. For example, cement will take long to gain strength if it is applied to the soil when the temperature is below the optimum level. Conversely, the curing period will be accelerated if temperatures rise above the desired level. Rapid curing can result in lower strength. It is therefore prudent to select a time when the temperature will be just right for the products that are going to be used during the stabilisation process.
Presence of Sulphides
The existence of sulphides within the soil can affect the choice of the products to be used during the soil stabilisation process. For example, it may be unwise to use a binder containing calcium carbonate in case the soil has sulphides in it because sulphuric acid will form and attack the stabilised soil.
As such, you may be out of your depth if you try to undertake the project if you lack the technical skills to weigh all the relevant factors. Hire a paving contractor to perform all the necessary tests so that the best technique can be selected to stabilise the soil before constructing your driveway or paved surface.
