Gravel-Driveway Maintenance Products

Rake

• For the most casual and regular maintenance performed on a gravel driveway, a gravel rake is ideal. This type of rake is similar to an ordinary yard rake, but it has more peg-like teeth than the grass rake, which uses finer teeth to pull litter from between blades of grass. These pegs ensure the surface of gravel driveways remain properly contoured and prevent dips and sinks, where water can collect in puddles, from forming. For very large driveways, automated versions of the gravel rake are available that attach to the front of a truck or construction machine, such as a Bobcat or front loader.

Shovel

• Heavy winds and rain can erode the surface of even the most tightly packed gravel driveway. Occasionally, this erosion will result in drifts and scattered piles of gravel strewn about the lawn, far from the driveway track. Use an ordinary dirt shovel and put these piles back in their place. Once the majority of the gravel is back on the driveway, tamp down with a shovel until the stones are loosely packed. Although the shovel can help maintain spots of loose surfacing, drifting gravel may require re-grading as a long term solution.

Power Grader

• During installation, the gravel driveway is made level by a power grader. This machine levels the driveway surface by pressing down on the gravel, causing it to lock into place. While some parts of the installation process are a one-time event, gravel driveways require re-grading every few years. While some power graders fit on the front of trucks, most are independent construction machines such as Bobcats and front loaders.

Roller

• Like the power grader, the roller is used in the installation process as well as for occasional maintenance. The roller compacts the gravel surface, causing much of the gravel to interlock, becoming a permeable but solid surface that can remain steadfast during rain. This minimizes drift after heavy storms and also increases available traction for parked and moving vehicles. Run a roller over the gravel driveway after re-grading.