Answer: Potholes in a gravel driveway can be very difficult to fix and boil down to one or two problems.
Drainage and/or Soft Unstable Subbase
Everything all begins at the point of installation. If the driveway has been installed properly, and water drainage has been addressed properly, potholes can be fixed much easier, if they even arise.
We cover how to fix potholes in a gravel driveway in great detail here.
Answer: To stop weeds from growing in an existing gravel driveway, spray a weed inhibitor or herbicide directly on the driveway, being careful not to get to close to the edge near grass or flowerbeds.
Installing a geotextile fabric on a brand new driveway prior to adding the gravel can virtually eliminate weeds. However, although a minor part of the process, a weed inhibitor will always be on the list of ongoing maintenance tasks.
Answer: Unfortunately there isn't a simple answer to this question. There are many factors that determine the amount of erosion a gravel driveway can or will endure.
It all begins with the installation.
A properly installed gravel driveway with well planned drainage in mind, is the first step.
The second step is the material used to build the gravel driveway. Using angular aggregates (as opposed to smooth, round aggregates) mixed with "fines" or crushed stone, then compacted well, will create a much more stable gravel driveway that is less prone to erosion.
Even further, installing a geogrid or geocell will greatly reduce the chances of erosion.
Answer: The best way to keep the edges of a gravel driveway looking sharp and clean is by adding a solid border like a concrete, belgian block, pavers, metal or plastic edging.
Answer: There are companies that will add oil and/or dust suppressants to a gravel driveway to control the dust. However, environmental controls are quickly eliminating these types of dust suppressants.
Answer: Removing snow from a gravel driveway is extremely difficult, particularly if it's a large driveway. Unfortunately, there are no secrets. It's just the nature of owning a gravel driveway. Many people have tried, all have failed. If someone comes up with an effective solution, we will post it here.
