Why Your RV Pad is Sinking: A Utica Fix-It Project Reveals Common Mistakes

Double B Excavations & Grade LLC

WHY PROPER GRADING AND DRAINAGE MATTER

Imagine this: You've got your camper perfectly positioned on your pad, but when you flip down the stairs, they're hanging 8-9 inches off the ground.

Every time you want to use your RV, you're playing a frustrating game of block-stacking just to get in and out safely.

That's exactly what we found when we arrived at our latest project in Utica.

This isn't just about convenience - it's about being able to actually enjoy your investment.

When you're spending more time adjusting stabilizer legs and stacking blocks than relaxing in your camper, something's clearly wrong.

And unfortunately, we're seeing this kind of problem more and more often.

Let's get straight to the heart of the problem. You might think that throwing down more stone is the answer - that's what a lot of contractors will tell you. But here's what we've learned from years of fixing failed pads: it's not about how much stone you use, it's about what's underneath it and how you layer it.

Think about it like this: if you put marbles in a box and try to stand on them, what happens? They roll around, right? That's exactly what's happening when contractors use only one size of stone. Every time weight gets applied - whether it's from your RV or even just from walking on it - those stones shift around. Add some rain and soil movement, and you've got a recipe for an unstable pad.

At Double B, we do things differently. We start by getting down to what we call "hard virgin dirt" - that's soil that hasn't been disturbed or built on before. It's nature's foundation, and it's the only proper starting point for a pad that's going to last.

Then comes our three-layer system:

• First, we lay down #2 stone for the foundation. These bigger stones lock together to create a stable base.
• Next, we add 304s, which fill in the gaps and create a more solid surface.
• Finally, we top it with decorative rounds for appearance, but only after we're sure the foundation is rock solid.

But here's something crucial that often gets overlooked: drainage. In Utica, like anywhere else in Ohio, water is your pad's worst enemy. That's why we're not just leveling this pad - we're also fixing the drainage issues that would eventually cause problems down the road. A level pad isn't worth much if it washes out the first time it rains.

So how can you avoid ending up with a sinking RV pad? Here are some straight-talk tips we've learned from years of fixing other people's mistakes:

First, ask questions. If your contractor can't explain exactly how they're going to build your pad - layer by layer - that's a red flag. They should be able to tell you what materials they're using and why.



Second, don't be fooled by low prices. We've seen it time and time again: saving a few hundred dollars upfront often means spending thousands on fixes later. Just ask our customer in Utica who had to deal with an unstable pad for a year.