Gravel Driveway Issues

Ruts

• Over time, vehicle traffic will compact the gravel, often causing wheel ruts along the paths where cars are most commonly driven. Ruts collect water, make driving through the driveway difficult and posing a hazard for pedestrians trying to navigate across them. Making sure the driveway has adequate drainage will minimize compaction of the gravel and make ruts less likely to form. Plastic grids designed to be installed beneath the gravel and disperse the weight of vehicles will also help prevent ruts.

Erosion

• Inadequate drainage will also lead to runoff of surface water, which will carry gravel with it out of the driveway. Erosion of gravel and the base beneath it will result in potholes and ruts and the eventual loss of the driveway surface. To ensure proper drainage and reduce the rate of erosion, driveways should be constructed with a crown in the center and a slope in each direction toward the outside edges of the driveway.

Cleaning

• Debris such as branches, sticks, leaves and grass clippings is more difficult to remove from gravel driveways than from other paved surfaces, where it can be simply swept away. Keeping the gravel raked and the surface of the driveway smooth and even will make the removal of debris easier, and taking precautions to limit erosion and compaction will prevent the formation of ruts and holes in which debris can accumulate.

Snow Removal

• Removal of snow from a gravel driveway presents a challenge as well. Shoveling or plowing a gravel driveway as you would a paved driveway can mean removing a significant amount of gravel along with the snow. You must take care to remove snow only down to the surface of the driveway without disturbing the gravel. A snow blower is a good option for a gravel driveway since the auger that lifts and throws snow does not actually come in contact with the ground.