How to Keep a Gravel Driveway From Washing Away (2024)

A gravel driveway provides many benefits that we think make it superior to many other types of driveways.

For one, it’s easy to install and makes a great DIY project that can save you money on hiring a professional.

Plus, it’s low maintenance, since stones don’t have to be replaced or washed on a regular basis.

Unless you live in a rainy region that heightens the risk of the gravel being washed away. This shouldn’t be a detour though, because it’s easy to prevent.

In this blog post, we share tips on how to stabilize a gravel driveway from losing its stones.

There are two main ways to stabilize: cement and permeable pavers. Let’s dive in!

How to Keep a Gravel Driveway From Washing Away (1)

Cement

Cement is one of the most effective ways to hold gravel in place because it is highly durable and long-lasting.

Cement can’t be permeated by water, so run-off will be guided to the sides of the driveway without taking the stones with it.

However, you do need to be mindful of flooding and erosion. To keep these problems from springing up, it helps to seal the driveway.

Permeable Pavers

How to Keep a Gravel Driveway From Washing Away (2)

Permeable pavers are also top-notch for protecting your gravel driveway. This is an effective way to hold the tiny stones in place without the use of binding agents.

It’s like a giant mesh that is held in place by the weight of the gravel. Cells make up the walls that hold the gravel and prevent it from washing away.

Plus, it’s easy to install. All you need to do is clear your driveway area, fill it with compacted gravel, then snap the pavers on top. Then, you can fill it in with a top layer of gravel, rolling over it to smooth it all out.

Permeable pavers are less expensive than cement, are environmentally friendly since no chemicals or agents are needed, and are highly durable.

How to Keep a Gravel Driveway From Washing Away (2024)

FAQs

How to Keep a Gravel Driveway From Washing Away? ›

Put in some kind of edging or a small curb to keep water off the driveway. Pack the gravel down. If you have rain that is heavy enough to wash away a gravel road, you have bigger problems.

How do you divert water from a gravel driveway? ›

6 Ways to Divert Water
  1. Dig a Swale. A swale, a shallow trench, redirects water to a safe release area like a dry well, arid forest or pond. ...
  2. Construct a Dry Stream. Dry streams redirect water and prevent runoff damage. ...
  3. Grow a Rain Garden. ...
  4. Build a Berm. ...
  5. Direct Water into a Dry Well. ...
  6. Lay Permeable Paving.

What can I pour on gravel to keep it in place? ›

Mulch glue is a landscape adhesive that can be used to hold mulch, wood chips, gravel, pebbles and other small landscaping material in place. It dries fast and is permeable so you don't have to worry about water pooling up on top.

How do you stop water erosion on a gravel driveway? ›

Dig trenches along the driveway and line them with gravel or vegetation. They'll catch water runoff and prevent erosion over time.

Does gravel binder work? ›

Using gravel with a quality gravel binder is a natural solution that requires far less complex drainage and maintains natural infiltration due to their porosity. This, combined with the ability to source these materials locally allows you to satisfy many of the requirements for LEED certification [2].

How can I make my gravel driveway last longer? ›

The absolute best tip for maintaining a gravel driveway is to stabilize your loose gravel with pavers. TRUEGRID permeable pavers, for instance, lock your gravel into place and can keep your driveway clean, level, and stable for up to 40 years with almost no maintenance required.

What can I spray on gravel to keep it in place? ›

product to keep our pea gravel in place. it's called mulch glue. you mix up one part glue to 2 parts water. before I applied it, I made sure the gravel was looking perfect.

How do you lock a gravel driveway? ›

The two most effective methods for stabilizing pea gravel are cement and permeable pavers. If you're stabilizing pea gravel with cement, it will hold for a while until it's eventually damaged by traffic and water exposure.

Can you sprinkle cement over gravel? ›

Some homeowners believe that adding concrete to a gravel driveway will help make it more solid. However, this approach will result in a driveway with a surface that breaks up easily. This is a waste of time, money and effort and will not yield the desired results.

How do I keep my gravel driveway from washing out? ›

Cement. Cement is one of the most effective ways to hold gravel in place because it is highly durable and long-lasting. Cement can't be permeated by water, so run-off will be guided to the sides of the driveway without taking the stones with it.

How do I direct water away from my driveway? ›

Dig a trench approximately 6 inches deep along the driveway. Fit, connect, and glue drain pipes together on the side of the channel drain you want to direct water. Mix concrete in a wheelbarrow and fill the trench with it.

How to fix a washed out driveway? ›

To make sure your problem is permanently fixed, lay a solid base of 75mm gravel first. Smooth out the gravel surface of the driveway. Now you're ready to lay the mats. Unroll a Flexible Concrete Erosion mat over the top of your base.

How do I keep gravel from moving off my driveway? ›

The secret to preventing gravel migration on a driveway, path or patio, is to install a gravel retention system. These systems are designed to hold gravel in place and prevent its migration to other areas, as well as preventing ruts and bare patches.

How long will a gravel driveway last? ›

Like all driveway materials, it depends on how well it is installed and maintained. Fortunately, it's easy to repair and replenish when it does start to lose its luster. But overall, you can expect your gravel driveway to last for 50 to 100 years with the proper maintenance and care.

What is the best base for a gravel driveway? ›

#2 Limestone gravel is most commonly used as the base for gravel driveways. These small rocks are able to form a solid and dependable foundation while providing adequate drainage. Both of these factors are an essential part of constructing a gravel driveway.

How to make a gravel driveway solid? ›

Use a shovel or hard metal rake to spread the rocks evenly across the width of your driveway. Then, compact the rocks with a bulldozer roller, heavy truck, or mechanical compactor to create a solid foundation for your driveway.

What can I put over gravel driveway? ›

Outdoor Portable Tile is a great solution for flooring over gravel, as it is designed specifically to easily install over dirt, grass, gravel, stone, sand, concrete, or pavement. It is constructed using durable and rigid plastic, and it features a clip together design that makes a great DIY project.

How do you maintain a gravel driveway? ›

Regular Raking for Maintenance: Routine raking keeps your gravel driveway neat. Use a sturdy rake to spread the gravel evenly and fill in any low spots or ruts. This helps maintain a smooth and level surface, preventing puddles and uneven areas.

How can I improve my gravel driveway drainage? ›

How to fix gravel driveway problems? Different from concrete driveways, gravel driveways do not require channel drain. Instead the solution is to lay some land drain or twinwall underneath the gravel in a French drain system and redirect the water to a suitable outlet.

Why does my gravel driveway keep sinking? ›

Simply, you'll just need to remove your driveway and lay down a layer of geotextile. If you want to be safe, you should also place a layer of geogrid. Once you've placed the geotextile (and grid if you've chosen to), you'll just need to rebuild the gravel driveway.

How do I keep my gravel driveway clear of weeds? ›

Pre-emergent herbicides or non-selective herbicides work best for controlling existing weeds and preventing new growth in gravel driveways. Products with glyphosate or pendimethalin offer the most powerful chemical control.

How do you keep rocks from washing away? ›

Planting for Stability. To enhance stability, consider planting native vegetation between the rocks. The roots of these plants will help anchor the soil, preventing it from washing away. Grasses, ground covers, or erosion control mats can be used to secure the area between the rocks.

How do you lay and maintain a gravel driveway? ›

Before laying your gravel driveway, you must first prepare the area. This may require removing debris, turf, or topsoil. You will then need to dig out the area to a depth of between 50mm to 200mm. It is important that a minimum of 50mm is left for the gravel, and 150mm for the sub-base if you plan on including one.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6302

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.