Are gravel driveways suitable for snow? No, gravel driveways are not that good for snow. While gravel driveway offers various other benefits but it’s not handy when it comes to snow.
If you are a homeowner and live in a snowy area, you should know the essential facts about gravel driveways. So, today we will give a descriptive answer to the question: Are gravel driveways suitable for snow? Check below to see the pros and cons of gravel driveways as well.
Are Gravel Driveways Good for Snow? Answer to Some Questions
Gravel driveways are an excellent economical decision for your home. It’s very cheap to install. Furthermore, the maintenance isn’t costly either. You will see that most homeowners use gravel as it also looks excellent. However, gravel driveways aren’t the best if you live in a snowy area. It’s because snow can cause ruts. As a result, there is a high chance your car might get stuck.
Is Gravel Driveway Good for Snow?
The short answer is no. While gravel driveways offer various advantages, it does not have any benefit in terms of snow. Cleaning and shoveling snow become a challenge in a gravel driveway. Firstly, the surface of gravel isn’t solid, unlike asphalt or concrete. So, snow removal isn’t easy, and it might take extra time to clear or shovel the snow.
Gravel driveway snow can affect your home in various ways. Starting from vehicles getting stuck to creating ruts in your road, snow can be really annoying if you don’t clean it anytime sooner. Although it might be challenging to remove the snow, there are undoubtedly efficient methods for snow removal. But you need to know that removing snow on a gravel road is costlier than on asphalt or paved driveway.
That’s why we recommend that if you live in an area where it snows frequently, try to avoid gravel if you are looking for driveway materials. On the contrary, gravel roads are good in areas with less or no snowfall. So, you can go for gravel driveways in those areas.
Most Wondering fact does you know that in some countries gravel driveways need permission? Know now, do you need permission to gravel driveway or not?
What’s Cheaper Paving or Gravel?
Both graveling and paving are attractive options for a driveway. They are both durable and easy to maintain. But paved roads or patios increase your property’s value. So, graveling is a much cheaper option compared to paving. Paving is always the better option if you don’t have a tight budget.
Also Read: Can A Gravel Driveway Be Plowed Or Just Waste of Work?
Also, snow does not create any ruts on paved roads. Hence, clearing snow isn’t complicated on paved roadways. Maintenance cost is also drastically less when compared to gravel. Gravel is simple to install, but it has an appearance that looks unkept. It’s also cheaper than paving; that’s why it’s expected as it’s a viable economic option.
How to Clear Snow from a Gravel Driveway?
Clearing snow from a gravel driveway is complicated. Yet, there are effective ways you can do that to minimize your effort. There are several ways you can adopt to clear snow from your driveway. Below we will talk about some of the most effective methods.
Rake and Shovel
Follow this method only if your driveway or patio is small. The approach is old-fashioned, but it works nicely in small patios and driveways. Start by using the shovel from the top and work your way downhill. Make sure to clear layers one at a time. After removing the bulk of the snow, use the rake to break the remaining ice. It will melt faster if you use the rake afterward.
Leaf Blower
A leaf blower is very effective against fresh snow. You can avoid a very great deal of labor by using a leaf blower to clear snow. It can remove fresh snow in a matter of minutes. Keep in mind that a leaf blower only works for fresh snow. In case of dry snows or build-ups, a leaf blower is ineffective.
Snow Blower
The best way to clear snow from a long driveway is by using a snow blower. You will need to use skid shoes on your snow blower. Otherwise, it will just scatter the snow on the driveway making a messy driveway. Make sure to raise the skid half-inch above the surface to maximize efficiency.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you use snow blowers on gravel?
Yes, you can use snow blowers on gravel. However, you can use them only against fresh snow. It won’t work against dry snow.
How long does gravel last in a driveway?
If you properly maintain and take care of the driveway, gravel can last around 100 years or more. The maintenance needs to be ongoing and steady. Also, the maintenance isn’t that expensive either.
Are gravel driveways worth it?
Yes, gravel driveways are worth it in areas with less snow. They can last a long time and looks beautiful. Of course, you can use gravel in your driveway, even in snowy places but be ready to face the hassle of cleaning the snow.
Conclusion
In the above, we talked about the demerits of gravel roads when clearing snow. While gravel drivel provides various advantages, it only lacks behind when it comes to snow. So, it’s not the best for a snowy environment. Asphalt or paved roads are a good alternative, but they can be expensive.
So, we included the answers to the question, “are gravel driveways good for snow?”. Furthermore, we also had the methods of clearing snow. Those are pretty efficient depending on the specific situation of snowing. To conclude, asides from snow, gravel driveways work well.