Gravel Driveways - All You Need To Know

Today gravel as a driveway surface choice is as popular as ever, its great value for money if you’re working to budget or great to have an extra addition to have alongside another driveway surface.

Gravel now comes in an array of sizes and colours so it can be installed to look amazing, as well as something practical that will last the test of time.

As you can imagine people want to know more about gravel for their driveway so we have put together some of the most frequently asked questions to hopefully cover any concerns you may have.

Is gravel a good drainage choice for driveways?

Yes, this goes without saying, gravel is an effective surface for drainage, it allows water such as rain, snow and ice to flow and travel down to the native soil below.

How long should a gravel driveway last?

There is no reason why a gravel driveway cannot last a lifetime if well cared for and maintained, the good thing about gravel is that is can always be repaired and replenished as frequently as needed.

What is the best way to prevent my gravel driveway from erosion?

You will find a number of ways that this can be done, some will work better than others depending on your specific driveway and what is possible. These include what’s known as water bars, they work how speed bumps work holding back gravel from naturally moving.

Edging around the borders of the gravel driveway will stop spillage into unwanted areas, such as the road, garden or lawn.

How do you keep a gravel driveway clean and well maintained?

To keep your gravel driveway well maintained and looking its best it will need some regular care:

• Remove fallen leaves that have rested on the driveway before they start to decay.
• Rake the gravel surface, making sure it’s smooth and covered to the right depths over regular footfall and vehicle areas.
• Keep up with potholes, it’s important to keep these monitored before they become a real problem.
• Keep gravel replenished and plentiful, small and often is better than leaving it until it’s too late.
• Weeds can be a problem if not kept under control, this can be done with a good weed killer.

Are gravel driveways easy to walk on?

Gravel in comparison to other driveway surfaces isn’t the easiest of surfaces to walk on, it can be unsteady of the foot and therefore not ideal for elderly, disabled and young children.

Loose gravel does have its benefits though, it can be quite loud when walked across, and so is an extra security at night.

Gravel Driveways

If you have any further questions about gravel driveways be sure to get in touch either online through one of our contact forms or by giving us a call on 0113 512 0398.