Winter-Proofing a Gravel Driveway

There’s no secret that the harsh conditions of winter dramatically ruin gravel driveways. The really intriguing question revolves around how one can battle back to winter-proof their gravel driveway before the frost sets in. Below, we’ll dive into the details behind why gravel driveways suffer in the cold before exploring ways you can fight back both before and during the winter months.

Why Gravel Driveways Break Down in Winter

Gravel driveways see a breakdown during the winter for two major reasons:

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

The constant freezing and subsequent thawing of your gravel driveway during the winter causes many problems. When water penetrates below the surface of your driveway and freezes, the ice expands causing unevenness across your driveway. This problem gets worse when said ice melts, receding and creating gaps underneath your driveway that subsequently cause potholes, ruts, and mud. Over time, these issues compound on one another to make an increasingly messier, less usable surface.

Plow and Shovel Damage

Outside of the freeze-thaw cycle, plows and shovels also do a number on gravel driveways when it comes time to remove snow. Plows are notorious for scraping off the top level of gravel. Not only does this strip your driveway of important material, but also creates a ton more opportunity for water to penetrate the remaining layers and cause more of the aforementioned issues arising from freezing and thawing. Shovels, while more precise, also chip away at the gravel below leaving your driveway particularly exposed to further damages.

How to Winter-Proof Your Gravel Driveway

Winter-proofing your driveway starts before the first frost sets in. Here are some maintenance practices to prepare your driveway for what's to come:

Top Off Thin Spots

The natural wear and tear on a driveway, even in warmer months, can cause gravel to shift around and pile up. A great preventative practice to prepare for winter is to top off these thin spots. Topping off creates a more uniform, aligned surface that will better withstand the challenges coming.

Compact the Surface

On a similar note, compacting the surface of your gravel driveway, especially after topping off thin spots, is great practice. A compacted surface will resist the penetration and pooling of water, which can be extremely damaging when the freeze-thaw cycles start.

Improve Drainage

Improving drainage of your gravel driveway tackles similar issues. By minimizing the amount of moisture that penetrates your gravel driveway, you can minimize the destructive ice forming inside that can cause so many problems in the long run.

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Snow Removal Tips for Gravel

Outside of the preventative measures to prepare your gravel driveway for winter, physically there are some different ways to approach snow removal as well. Here are some crucial ideas to keep in mind:

Raise the Plow Blade

Raising the plow blade is a small change, but one that can really save your gravel driveway in the long run. Raising the blade will prevent the top layers of gravel from being stripped away. While there may be a tad more snow left behind, your driveway will still be navigable without compromising the foundation of your driveway itself.

Sand vs Rock Salt

The material you use to treat your driveway also plays a role in its longevity. In general for gravel driveways, sand is way better than rock salt. Sand provides great traction without compromising your driveway. Meanwhile, rock salt is better known for helping water seep into your gravel layers opening your driveway up to future damages from freezing and thawing. Plus, the salt mixture begins to lose effectiveness against ice once temperatures drop below that 20 degree fahrenheit mark.

Order Driveway Stone and Gravel from Landscape Barn Today

Gravel driveway repairs are an unfortunate fact of life when you own one. Winters are especially tough with each passing freeze-thaw creating more devastating potholes; but there are ways to fight back. Keeping your gravel driveway operating its best comes from topping off thin spots and compacting any new stone while paying attention to how well it drains. For a one-stop shop for all your gravel driveway needs, look no further than Landscape Barn. Our easy to use website and efficient delivery will have driveway gravel at your doorstep in no time. This winter, tackle your gravel driveway problem head on; call or go online today to see just how Landscape Barn can help!

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