Clean and down limestone gravel serve different jobs. Clean stone has few fine particles and leaves spaces for water to move through. Down limestone includes smaller particles and fines that pack together into a denser base. For Winnipeg projects, choose the grade to suit the load, soil conditions and drainage design.
Clean limestone: where drainage matters
Clean, or clear, crushed limestone is commonly specified around drainage pipes and behind retaining walls because its open spaces allow water to pass through. The installation still needs the right stone size, soil separation and an outlet; stone alone does not fix a grading or drainage problem.
It can also provide a decorative finish in contained beds and borders. For patios or other structures, an open-graded base must be part of a compatible installation system. Do not assume clean stone performs like a dense-graded compacted base.
Down limestone: a compactable base
Down limestone combines angular stone with smaller particles and fines. When the specified material is placed and compacted correctly, the smaller particles fill gaps and help form a firm base for driveways, walkways and hardscape preparation.
Because it includes fines, down limestone is not the same as free-draining clean stone. Do not substitute it for drainage aggregate around weeping tile or behind a retaining wall unless the design specifically calls for it.
What is quarter-down limestone?
Quarter-down limestone, also written as 1/4-inch down or 1/4-inch minus, is a fine crushed limestone grade with a nominal top size of about 1/4 inch and smaller particles down to fines. It is different from 3/4-inch down, which includes larger stone.
The correct grade depends on the project specification. Do not treat quarter-down as a universal replacement for the main base or for bedding sand beneath pavers. Barkman’s conventional paver installation instructions call for a separate bedding layer and specifically exclude crushed limestone and stone dust as bedding sand.
Choose the material for your Winnipeg project
- Drainage around pipes or walls: use the clean, free-draining aggregate specified by the design.
- Driveway, patio or walkway base: confirm the required aggregate grade, compacted depth and installation system.
- Garden soil amendments: landscaping gravel is not a substitute for finely ground agricultural lime. Base any pH correction on a soil test.
See our crushed limestone product information, or call 204-889-6268 to confirm current grades and quantities. Pickup is available at 2929 Sturgeon Rd; ask about delivery to your Winnipeg address before ordering.
For a fuller comparison, read crushed limestone vs clear stone.
Installation references: Polycor’s base installation guide, Barkman’s paver and slab instructions, and University of Florida Extension’s explanation of agricultural lime.
