If you already have a gravel driveway or if you are planning on installing one in the near future, knowing how to care for this important part of your property can make a big difference in how your driveway looks and feels in the long run. At Flesherton Concrete Products, we find there are a few things you can do to manage your gravel driveway more efficiently so you don’t develop annoying problems.
- Build It the Right Way – Just throwing gravel down over your dirt road probably isn’t going to produce the long-term, functional gravel driveway you were hoping for. Make sure to plan ahead for all weather types and your regular usage so your driveway works well year after year.
- Early Pothole Intervention – Do you see a pothole popping up? The best thing you can do is address the problem right away before it becomes worse and/or affects your vehicles. Simply adding a layer of gravel over top of the hole probably won’t produce good results, but taking time to even out the area and add layers of gravel can help prevent future potholes from occurring.
- Careful Seasonal Maintenance – The first call we usually make when it comes to snowy weather is to the snow plow – but with a gravel driveway this can be a perfect way to create problems. Make sure you move the gravel that is pushed aside by plowing back into the middle of your driveway to protect against potholes and gullies that can present themselves with the winter weather.
- Elemental Protection – Do you know how “gully washers” got their name? The wet spring and summer weather can really create gullies in your gravel driveway. It is helpful to install the proper drainage system at the time you build your driveway or make sure to add enough gravel for elevation, so water will run away from your property and driveway during the wetter seasons.
- Adding New Gravel – Of course, the spread of the gravel on your driveway is normal with daily use, and taking time to inspect your driveway and add new concrete as needed is the best way to ensure maximum function and a great appearance each year.