What Are the Benefits of a Gravel Driveway?

What is the most low-maintenance driveway?

When you’re choosing a drive, you’ll want to keep maintenance in mind. Here are some of the lowest maintenance drives you can install:

• Gravel: Gravel is the easiest to maintain. It normally just requires fillers on occasion, although every few years you may have to regrade it. It’s also self-cleaning since it’s permeable and sheds water.
• Paving stones: Paving stones are also permeable materials and easy to maintain. This type of drive is also durable and can last up to 100 years.
• Concrete grass pavers: This eco-friendly material consists of concrete squares with holes filled with grass. It’s a permeable material that will prevent heavy flooding. Its main maintenance issue is weeds, which will need to be pulled out.
• Plastic permeable pavers: Made from 100% recycled plastic, this material is also permeable and has a long lifespan.

How long does the gravel last on a drive?

Gravel drives are some of the most durable around. These drives can last for several decades, up to 100 years or more. Of course, the drive will require some minimal maintenance, usually in the form of fillers.

Is a gravel driveway good for drainage?

Gravel is one of the best materials to use for a driveway when it concerns drainage. The material is very porous, which means more water drains back into the soil. This also means that you’ll have fewer puddles forming on your drive and less risk of flooding after heavy rainfall.

Are there disadvantages to having a gravel drive?

Although you’ll find you have more benefits than problems with gravel, you’ll want to consider some of the disadvantages people note with them:

• If it’s not properly installed, the gravel can wash away. Professionals will make sure your gravel is stabilized and not washed away.
• Weed growth can occur. Any weeds that grow into the gravel will need to be removed so the drive will remain stable and aesthetically pleasing.
• Potholes can easily develop. While potholes might develop, especially after heavy rains or ice and snow or heavy use, they are also easy and cheap to repair. Once the pothole is filled the drive can be used almost immediately.

What gravel is best for driveways?

If you are looking to install a gravel driveway, you have plenty of options available to you. What type of gravel you choose will often depend on the type of soil on your property. You’ll also have aesthetic considerations and a contractor experienced with gravel road work will be able to help you assess what’s best based on these and other factors.

Most gravels are blends of different sizes and types of stones. Some common types of materials used in the Clifton / Waco, TX area include granite, Crusher Run, pea gravel and Alabama path stone.

In this area, contractors and homeowners tend to choose a version of crushed stone for drives and roads. Crushed stone is especially good for high-traffic drives.

As far as size goes, most gravel ranges from one-fourth inch to one inch. Make sure when choosing the gravel that it’s neither too small nor too large and not too flat or round.

How do you prepare the ground for a gravel driveway?

When you install a gravel drive or gravel road, you have to make sure the soil is prepared properly. Otherwise, the gravel will just wash away. Here are the steps to follow to install a gravel drive:

1. Stake the path and clear out all grass or topsoil from the area.
2. Level the ground within the staked path.
3. Spread the base layer and compact it.
4. Add the middle layer.
5. Spread and shape the surface layer.

What do you put underneath a gravel driveway?

After you’ve staked out a path for your drive and cleared out any grass or topsoil from the area, you’re going to spread a base layer onto the path. When the drive is professionally installed, before the base layer is installed, a layer of landscape fabric will be installed. On top of this material, your base layer of gravel will be installed and compacted. The middle layer is then installed, and finally, the surface layer of gravel is installed.

Can you have a gravel driveway on a slope?

Yes, gravel drives can be installed on slopes. When gravel is installed on slopes, stabilizers such as locking pavers will be fitted into the ground to trap the gravel into place. Locking pavers keep the gravel from spreading out, even if there is heavy traffic.