As the winter months approach, take some time to prepare your gravel driveway for harsh temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
Level and Replenish Your Gravel In the Fall
Over time, gravel on your driveway will get dislodged and carried away on tires, and low spots will appear. The holes and ruts that are left behind are perfect locations for rain, snow, and ice to accumulate which will eventually erode your driveway. These areas where moisture can pool will also create slick patches in freezing temperatures that can put people at risk for injury.
Avoid these issues by re-grading your driveway before the bad weather hits. Fill any holes and thin patches, and level out any uneven areas so your driveway is level and flat come winter. Areas that receive a lot of vehicle or foot traffic are especially important to reinforce. Adding extra gravel there will help combat erosion.
A level driveway is easier for snow removal and better for water drainage once the spring comes and snow begins to melt.
Incorporate Sand. Avoid Salt.
To give yourself and your guests more traction when walking on the gravel driveway in the snow and ice, sand can help. Sand helps to prevent your driveway from becoming a hazard for people and vehicles.
Salt is a common remedy for ice and snow on sidewalks and streets, but avoid using it on your gravel driveway. Salt can erode your gravel which will accelerate the breakdown of your driveway and leave lots of damage for you to deal with in the spring.
Establish a Snowstorm Game-Plan
Before the first snow falls, install some driveway markers so you can see where the edges of the driveway are underneath the blanket of snow. This will help you avoid pushing gravel off onto your lawn and causing more potholes.
After a snowstorm, inspect your gravel driveway for any damage. Prompt repairs help to avoid “snowballing” damage down the road.
Removing snow from gravel as quickly as possible will make your driveway easier to maintain in the long run. Heavy, wet snow is especially hard to remove, particularly in freezing temperature. Prevent snow from getting compacted into your gravel driveway by staying consistent with removal.
Leveling your driveway before the winter is a great preventative measure against potholes, but some are still likely to form with repeated freezing and thawing. If you see one, don’t panic. Grab some extra gravel to quickly fill in the pothole, making sure it’s compact and secure.
Bray’s Gravel Calculator
Bray makes it easy to scope your driveway gravel replenishment project and determine how much gravel you need.
Get the right amount to level your driveway before the winter, plus a little extra for intermittent repairs.
Explore our gravel calculator to learn more.
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Bray Topsoil & Gravel has been providing the Greater Cincinnati area with quality natural topsoil delivery for 25+ years.
Interested in our services? Request a quote online or call 859-635-5680 today!
