March is often when outdoor jobs start to climb back up the list. With the worst of winter behind us, many people begin to plan driveway repairs, tidy up old footpaths, or prep areas for spring building work. One material that works well for this kind of job is 20mm gravel loose tipped. It’s tough, it drains well, and it arrives in bulk, which helps get things moving quickly.
We’ve found that when the ground starts to dry out after winter, having the right gravel on-site makes a big difference. Whether it’s a farm drive, a garden lane, or builder access point, this gravel helps form surfaces that stay solid underfoot and hold up well under wheels. It’s one of those materials that just works, and with loose tipping, it gets to where it needs to be with no faff.
What Is 20mm Gravel and Why Loose Tipped?
20mm gravel is a mix of angular stones all roughly around 2cm wide. It’s bigger than standard pea gravel, so it doesn’t shift around as easily when walked or driven on. That thickness gives it a firm hold under weight, which is why it works so well in driveways and other vehicle-heavy spots.
When we say “loose tipped,” we mean the gravel is delivered loose in the back of a truck and tipped straight out onto the ground. No bags, no extra lifting, just poured out where you need it. This is ideal when you’ve got a big space to fill or places where unloading by hand would take forever.
Loose tipping works best for:
- Large or uneven surfaces where laying material needs to happen fast
- Sites with space for trucks to reverse or turn
- Times when bagging the gravel would slow down the job or block access
Enviro Skip Hire supplies loose tipped 20mm gravel in both standard and washed grades, ensuring you have the right type for your project, whether that’s decorative surfacing, drainage trenches, or driveways. Delivery is available in tipper lorries for bulk loads across Cheshire and Staffordshire.
Best Places to Use It: Driveways, Paths, and Parking Areas
One of the biggest reasons people choose 20mm gravel loose tipped is how well it handles daily wear. It’s ideal for areas that take a lot of movement, both from cars and feet.
You get a neat surface without hard edges or pooling water, and because the gravel sits tightly together, it doesn’t need constant patch-ups. That makes it a good fit for places where traffic rolls through all week, especially in rural or semi-rural settings where rain and mud are part of the routine.
The most common places we see it used include:
- Driveways that need to stay tidy and solid without cracking under pressure
- Footpaths around gardens, yards, or sheds where drainage matters
- Side parking areas where water run-off can be a problem and built-in soakaways help
It’s strong enough for day-to-day use and clean enough to look tidy, even when things get busy.
Building and Construction Sites: A Common Fit
On building jobs, time matters. Loose tipped gravel helps get base layers and access roads down fast, without waiting for bagged drops or complex site handling.
We often see it used right at the start of a build, before slabs go in or concrete gets poured. It gives a base that can handle machines, skips, and steady foot traffic while keeping mud and slush out of the work area.
Builders and trades tend to choose 20mm because:
- It settles well on slopes and uneven ground
- It’s easy to shift or level when needed
- It holds form under trailers, trucks, and stacked materials
Gravel like this can be used again or moved later in the project too, so even when it’s temporary, it still pulls its weight on site.
Things to Think About Before Ordering
Gravel works well when it lands in the right place, but that takes a bit of planning. Since deliveries for loose tipped loads come by large vehicle, you’ll need to think about space to unload and where the gravel will land.
February and early March can still bring cold snaps or wet days in Cheshire, so firming up the delivery plan ahead of time makes it easier to get started once the truck arrives.
Before you place an order, think about:
- Ground conditions, can the vehicle tip safely without sinking or sliding?
- Access, are gates wide enough or turns clear for the driver?
- Tools, do you have rakes, shovels, or a small machine to help shift the gravel?
Having a solid patch of ground ready helps avoid any last-minute changes and keeps the job running smoothly.
If your site has tight access or a sloped entrance, it’s wise to let the supplier know ahead of time. This way, the driver can plan the best route and angle for tipping. It also helps to double-check local guidelines, especially if the gravel needs to go anywhere near roads or shared paths. Taking these extra steps ensures a smooth delivery and keeps things moving from the moment the lorry arrives.
Making the Most of Bulk Gravel Delivery
Getting gravel loose tipped lets you kick off a project without wasting time. But the best results still come from good prep and quick action once the delivery is done. Think of it as setting things up to avoid double handling later.
Here are a few things we always keep in mind:
- Map out the drop spot so the gravel lands close to where it’s needed
- Line up the delivery time with when you’re ready to work, not a week before
- Have help or tools ready to spread the material as soon as it’s in place
Using a wheelbarrow, rake, or mini digger can help spread it out fast before weather or movement scatters the pile. Loose tipping often means less packaging to clean up too, which is one less thing to worry about once the job’s underway.
If rain is in the forecast, having a cover or tarp handy will help keep the pile dry and easy to handle. For bigger jobs or when working in stages, consider moving gravel in smaller sections over a couple of days so everything lays flat and nothing gets piled up where it shouldn’t be. These little changes can keep things manageable and help the finished surface stay even.
Solid Results When You Plan Ahead
Working with 20mm gravel loose tipped is a smart way to get ground cover sorted before spring really arrives. It levels quickly, drains well, and holds its own in places that see daily use. For those early season projects, it takes the pressure off and gets work areas sorted before everything gets busy again.
Whether it’s a driveway, a patch behind a barn, or a fresh base on a construction site, this gravel helps us get results that last. A little time spent planning where it goes and when it arrives makes the rest of the job run far more smoothly.
Planning groundwork in Cheshire this spring means choosing the right material for lasting results. We’ve seen firsthand how bulk gravel stands up to heavy use, manages uneven ground, and keeps sites looking neat during busy periods. For larger projects, our loose tipping service helps you save time and reduce manual handling. To find out more about how we supply 20mm gravel loose tipped, just give Enviro Skip Hire a call and we’ll help you get started.
