The Best Fixes for a Muddy Driveway

Paving

• Paving a driveway with asphalt or concrete is one reliable way to solve the problem of a muddy drive. The dirt must be flattened and smoothed out, with rocks, sticks and other debris removed. The concrete or asphalt is then laid down and smoothed out. Hire a professional to do this work for you if you don't have any experience in this field. Paved driveways are relatively easy to keep clean with a broom or hose. As long as you don't allow large clumps of dirt to accumulate, you should no longer find yourself cleaning mud out of carpets.

Paver Stones

• A nice alternative to asphalt and concrete is paver stones. Pavers snap together so tightly that they leave practically no space at all. Edging stones are sometimes added and held in place with concrete, which helps keep the stones from shifting. While you may find installing paving stones easier than messing around with concrete or asphalt, you still may want a professional contractor to do the work for you so that you can be assured that the stones won't shift, exposing dirt that will turn to mud when rain comes.

Brick

• Brick creates a less even and smooth driveway, but to many eyes it offers something more in the way of aesthetics than concrete, asphalt or even pavers. Brick will hold dirt more than the aforementioned substances but not enough to cause much of a mud problem. Regular sweeping will help keep the brick free of dirt and debris. Brick is fairly easy to install, making it an attractive option for those who don't want to bring in outside help.

Rock

• You have two options when considering a rock drive: stone or pebbles. A pebble drive is easier to install and maintain but is less aesthetically pleasing and is also more likely to get muddy than stone. It is still preferable to a dirt driveway, however. A stone drive is made up of larger rocks. The stones should be smooth and angular enough to stay put, according to BobVila.com. The website also points out that large, round stones may roll out of place too easily. You will have to replace the stones as they begin to wear down and shift, which should be done approximately once a year.