Tips for maintaining gravel in winter weather

Tips for maintaining gravel in winter weather

Gravel is a popular material among many homeowners looking for an affordable, long-lasting option for their driveway. Speak with a contractor to learn about the many different applications for gravel.

To keep your gravel driveway looking great for years to come, you must stay on top of a proper maintenance routine. This is particularly important in the winter months to protect against harsh weather conditions.

Here are a few quick tips for how to maintain your driveway this winter:

Rake Your Driveway

Raking your driveway is one of the simplest things you can do to take good care of your gravel. This helps to keep the surface nice and level so that you can easily find and remove debris like leaves and twigs. During the winter when wind and rain cause debris to get lodged in between your gravel, raking helps keep your driveway looking its best.

As a bonus, raking your gravel also helps keep your driveway safe for you to walk and drive your vehicle on! Remember, size matters when it comes to gravel for a driveway. Speak with one of our specialists before your next installation project to learn how the size of your gravel can affect the quality of your new driveway.

Watch Out for Drainage Issues

If you notice that there is flooding or pooling in your driveway after a heavy rain, this is a sign of drainage and erosion problems with your gravel. Drainage issues are often attributed to improper grading. Fill in potholes or low points with additional gravel to help fix the problem.

Make sure that the gravel is also higher than the ground surrounding it. Otherwise, you risk water running off into your yard and pooling in your driveway.

Add More Gravel Where Needed

Harsh winter weather is notorious for causing trouble, and as a result, your driveway can also take quite the beating. Wind, snow, and rain can scatter gravel and leave your driveway looking completely disheveled. On occasion, you should add a fresh layer of gravel to keep your driveway in good condition.

This should be a part of your regular maintenance routine at the end of every winter to ensure your driveway has the proper depth levels. If the weather has been particularly frightful all season long, you may have to add more gravel throughout the winter.

To keep your driveway pristine, it is critical to perform proper maintenance on your gravel. Don’t have the time or the desire to manage the extra maintenance that your gravel driveway requires? It may be time to consider other options.

Call Tigard Sand and Gravel today to learn about the benefits of upgrading to an asphalt driveway.