Top Tips for Maintaining a Gravel Driveway

We’ve previously posted about the pros and cons of a gravel driveway and if you decided to take the plunge and get yourself a gravel driveway, we’ve got some top tips for maintaining it. Despite gravel driveways being easy to maintain, it’s vital to regularly take care of the, because if they’re left untreated, over time the gravel can shift and loosen which can lead to potholes, ruts and other complications. Not to mention it looks unsightly. Frequent usage and just exposure to the elements can cause this and isn’t a sign that you’re doing anything wrong. Simple maintenance will combat this. Whether you have a full gravel driveway or you’ve incorporated gravel into your block paving or pattern imprinted concrete driveway, here’s what we suggest you do...

Ensure you’ve got the right tools

Properly maintaining your gravel driveway requires specific tools that other types of driveways, such as tarmac or block paving, do not. Without the correct tools and accessories you won’t be able to adequately keep your gravel driveway looking fresh and tidy. You will need: Shovel/scraper - you’ll need either a shovel or a scraper to properly grade your driveway. A box scraper is the best way to spread your gravel evenly but a generic shovel will do the job. Rake - removing weeds and debris from your gravel driveway can be done with a rake and allows you to quickly level your driveway at the same time. Extra gravel - it’s always handy to have extra gravel around because you’ll find that on occasion you’ll need to fill in gaps and holes that appear in your gravel driveway.

Basic Maintenance Steps to Take

These are the simple steps every gravel driveway owner should take to ensure the driveway stays looking its best. Remove debris - never let debris such as leaves, sticks or other bits and bobs accumulate in your gravel driveway as not only will it look unsightly, it will be harder to clear away when you finally get round to it. Why make your task more difficult? Instead, remove debris regularly - once a week or so - to ensure it’s a quick job that only requires a once over with a rake. Fill in holes and ruts - it’s not uncommon for holes or ruts to appear in gravel driveways. Rather than evening out the gravel from other parts of your driveway, fill them in with fresh gravel. This will ensure you don't have any weak spots that will cause more damage in the long-run. Check your grading - if you’re experiencing problems with washouts, regular holes or excess runoff water it’s probably down to your grading. Ideally, your gravel should be at its highest point in the centre of the driveway, with the gravel feathering down to the edges. For best results, your grade should be between 2-5%. Add fresh gravel - the best maintained driveways that last the longest have a fresh layer of gravel applied at least every 2 years. This ensures your driveway looks and performs well throughout. Gravel can be used to create beautiful patios & driveways, either exclusively with gravel, or by combining gravel with tarmac, pattern imprinted concrete or block paving. By following these simple maintenance steps you’ll get the very best out of your gravel outdoor space.