Building On Undeveloped Land? Tips For Combating Dust On Dirt Access Roads
If you've purchased a plot of undeveloped land to build your new home on, you'll need to have access to the property. Sometimes, undeveloped land doesn't have a reliable access road. If paving isn't in your budget, you can have a dirt road built instead. Here are a few tips to help you combat the dust accumulation that comes with a dirt roadway until you can pave it.
Treat The Surface With Water
Water treatment is highly effective for keeping dust at a minimum when you're dealing with a dirt road. Applied in small amounts, it will keep the surface damp enough that there's no dust to stir up without making it so wet that you create mud. The downside is that you'll need a road crew to apply the water a couple of times a day in the peak dry season because it needs to be done in such small amounts to avoid mud and erosion.
Plant Some Low-Growing Vegetation
You can plant some shallow-growing ground cover over the area if it's going to be an entire season before you can pave it. Opt for something like clover or a hydroseed application. The grass shouldn't grow too much because you'll be driving over it regularly, so you shouldn't have to worry about mowing or other maintenance before you pave.
Spread Some Mulch
Spreading a thick layer of some kind of mulch will help you to keep the dust at bay by creating solid surface cover. Opt for something that won't be damaging to your tires and won't need to be replaced regularly. Gravel or cedar mulch may be viable options. In addition, make sure you don't use anything that could be harmful to the wildlife that likely exist around your undeveloped land. Cacao husks can be harmful, so don't use them.
Till The Entire Roadway
Tilling the dirt roadway will break up the surface dirt and actually dig some of the dirt up from well beneath the surface. The under-surface dirt will likely hold more moisture. Since moisture is a key element to minimizing dust, this may help you to keep the dust at bay on the road. This is most effective when you're in the mild-temperature seasons so that excessive heat doesn't dry the soil out right away.
These are a few viable options for managing the dust clouds on your new dirt roadway. As you start to develop the property, you may find that paving helps, but until then, talk with a road dust control specialist like GMCO Corporation about other options that might help.