Repairing a gravel driveway is relatively straightforward.
Owing to their relatively low cost and how easy they are to install and repair without professional help, gravel driveways are common. Unlike concrete, asphalt and tar-and-chip alternatives, gravel driveways can be maintained entirely by the homeowner. But also unlike solid materials such as concrete or asphalt, gravel driveways do require frequent maintenance. When filling low spots and potholes, crusher run is a good alternative to regular gravel because it contains screenings and rock. The screenings--a byproduct of the rock-crushing process--help compact and solidify the surface. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Mark all of the low spots and potholes with small sticks or pieces of flagging tape. It is easiest to see these areas after a rain, when water accumulates in any low spots. This enables you to find even the smallest depressions, which may be difficult to see when the driveway is dry.
2. Use a shovel and wheelbarrow to dump crusher run in all of the low areas of the driveway. Use more stone than you think you will need. Crusher run packs down a great deal both as you compact it and as it settles.
3. Spread the crusher run out, raking it evenly with the shovel blade. The crusher run should be a little higher than the height of the driveway; otherwise, once it compacts you will still have a depression.
4. Compact the crusher run with a compactor, which you can rent at most rental supply stores. An inexpensive alternative is to drive your vehicle back and forth over the repaired area. Whether you are using a rented compactor or a vehicle, this is the most time-consuming part of the repair job. Continue compacting the stone until it does not shift or move, and is the same height as the rest of the driveway.
5. Walk the length of the driveway, looking for remaining low spots. You may find other low spots once the larger, more obvious spots are patched. You may also find that you need to add some crusher run to areas you already patched and compact them again to raise the elevation.
Tags: gravel driveways, concrete asphalt, crusher areas, spots potholes
