How to Apply Pea Gravel Using Chip Seal

How to Apply Pea Gravel Using Chip Seal
Published: Oct 26, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Using chip seal over pea gravel is a simple, affordable way to enhance your yard with the colors and smooth walking surface of pea gravel minus the heavy maintenance.

Things You Will Need

  • Rake
  • Hot asphalt sprayer
  • Pea gravel
  • Rubber roller machine
  • Push broom
  1. Rake the gravel base so it gently slopes away from the home and fills in any low areas.

  2. Use a sprayer to apply an even layer of hot liquid asphalt over the gravel base. If you’re working on a large patio or driveway of length, mount the sprayer to the back of a truck.

  3. Pour pea gravel over the hot asphalt and spread the small piles with a rake for even coverage.

  4. Go over the pea gravel with a rubber roller machine 2 to 4 times to press the rocks into the asphalt. Work in the same order that the asphalt was applied so that the gravel is compacted before the asphalt starts to cool.

  5. Wait about 4 hours for the chip seal to harden, and then sweep any loose gravel from the surface with a push broom. Loose rocks can grind off some of the seal under foot or from car traffic. Sweep the surface again after the gravel and seal sets for 2 days, then open up the surface for use.

The Drip Cap

  • Chip seal is a treatment of liquid asphalt applied to gravel roads, driveways and other surfaces to hold loose materials in place while preventing water damage.
  • Known for its round shape, pea gravel offers an attractive, but unstable surface.
  • Rake the gravel base so it gently slopes away from the home and fills in any low areas.

Photo Credits

Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images

Aurora LaJambre

Aurora LaJambre is a writer and editor living in Brooklyn, N.Y. For over five years she's covered topics in culture, lifestyle, travel, DIY design and green living for print and online media. Her publication credits include "WOW Women on…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.