Luke Mattke Construction LLC

04/24/2026

Extra Garage “Man Cave” coming along!

04/23/2026

Concrete on the daily lately

04/21/2026

Beautiful Concrete Morning near Wolsey, SD

03/04/2026

DID YOU KNOW WE ROADGRADE TOWNSHIPS?
*If you want a quote message us today!

Gravel Road Blading 101 – Basics of Good Road Maintenance 📍

1. Maintain the Crown (Most Important Rule)
A good gravel road should always have a crown (higher in the center, sloping to both sides).
• Ideal crown: about ½ inch per foot of road width.
• This allows water to run off the road instead of sitting on it.
• Without a crown, water causes potholes, ruts, and washboarding.

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2. Control Water and Drainage
Water is the #1 enemy of gravel roads.
Proper maintenance includes:
• Keeping ditches clean and open.
• Making sure culverts are not plugged.
• Cutting a slight slope from center to edge when blading.
• Never leaving windrows that trap water.

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3. Fix Washboards Correctly
Washboards happen from traffic vibration and dry loose gravel.

Correct fix:
• Cut below the washboard layer with the grader blade.
• Mix the loose and packed material together.
• Re-spread evenly while restoring the crown.
• If possible, blade when the road has some moisture (after rain).

What not to do:
• Skimming the top only (they come back quickly).

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4. Proper Blading Technique
Good grading means reconditioning, not just smoothing.

Key points:
• Pull gravel from the edges back toward the center.
• Avoid pushing gravel into the ditch.
• Break up packed areas before smoothing.
• Feather the edges so traffic doesn’t create ruts.

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5. Timing Matters
Best time to blade gravel roads:
• When the road has moisture (after rain or early morning).
• Dry blading causes dust and loose gravel that turns into washboards.

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6. Gravel Distribution
Over time traffic pushes gravel off the road.

Maintenance should:
• Pull gravel back from the shoulders.
• Keep gravel evenly spread across the driving surface.
• Add new gravel when the base becomes thin.

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7. Speed Control Helps Maintenance
Higher speeds create more washboards and dust.

Townships sometimes reduce damage by:
• Lower speed limits
• Dust control treatments
• Regular light maintenance instead of waiting for major damage

02/28/2026

And just like that, we have a cozy fireplace 🔥

01/31/2026

Based in Huron, South Dakota, we are your go-to team for commercial, residential, and concrete construction. We believe in quality work, clear communication, and treating every project like it’s our own. Whether you’re planning something new or improving what you already have, we’re here to help.
📞 Call Luke at 605-350-9710 today.

01/30/2026

01/28/2026

This is exactly why we do what we do.
It’s not just about the work — it’s about people. Taking the time to help, doing things the right way, and leaving someone feeling thankful and taken care of means everything to us.

Notes like this remind us that kindness, hard work, and showing up for others truly matters. Grateful for the opportunity to serve and help wherever we can.

01/24/2026

Fireplace installation is in progress on these chilly days, with stonework to be scheduled next.

01/05/2026

The sunset 🌅 was stunning behind this little guy!