Gravel driveways are a common choice amongst homeowners because they are more affordable, and longer-lasting, than other driveways. However, the primary downside of gravel driveways is that they require much more maintenance. It is particularly important that you stay on top of driveway maintenance in winter in order to ensure that your driveway continues to look great for years to come. Here is a look at a few simple steps that you should take to maintain your gravel driveway this winter.
Rake Your Driveway Regularly
One of the most important, and simplest, things that you can do to maintain your gravel driveway is to rake it regularly. This will help to keep the surface level, and it allows you to remove any leaves, twigs, and other debris that may have gotten lodged in it. Winter can be particularly harsh on gravel driveways, as wind and rain can cause it to become filled with debris and make it look neglected. Not only will regular raking help keep your driveway looking pristine, but it will also make your driveway safer as debris trapped in the driveway can make it difficult to walk and drive on your driveway.
Monitor Drainage
During the winter, it is also important that you monitor your gravel driveway for signs of drainage issues. After a heavy downpour, you may notice that there is flooding or pooling in your driveway. This indicates that your driveway has drainage issues, likely resulting from improper grading. An easy way to fix this is to make sure that you fill any potholes or low points with additional gravel. You also want to make sure that the entire driveway has enough gravel so that it is higher than the ground surrounding it, as this will prevent water from running off of your lawn and pooling in your driveway.
Keep Things Fresh
Harsh winter weather can scatter gravel and leave your driveway looking disheveled. As part of your regular driveway maintenance, it is then important that you add a fresh layer of gravel to your driveway at the end of winter in order to ensure that your driveway looks good and has the proper depth levels. Depending on how your driveway looks, you may even need to add gravel throughout the winter.
Performing proper maintenance on your gravel driveway this winter is critical in order to keep it looking pristine. However, if you are growing tired of the extra maintenance a gravel driveway requires, then you may want to consider having it replaced. Contact us to learn about the benefits of upgrading to an asphalt driveway.