Heavy rains can spell disaster for gravel driveways, but the proper preventive measures can help mitigate the issue. Through methods such as crowning, regular maintenance, and prompt repair from professionals, your driveway will be able to withstand the washout effects of downpours. Here’s a short breakdown of those services and why it’s important to have a professional gravel company take care of them.

How Professional Landscapers Protect Against Gravel Washout

1. Crowning

If a gravel driveway has already been washed out or was installed incorrectly, crowning can repair the surface and prevent further damage. During the process, professional landscapers build the center up to create a high point running through the middle stretch of the driveway. With this slight slope in place, rainwater can run off the driveway without causing significant erosion of the surface.

2. Water Bars

When water is allowed to flow down the entire length of a driveway, it can wash away a lot of gravel. Water bars successfully reduce the effects of rainfall erosion by diverting the flow of liquid away from a driveway. When this method is used, a professional landscaper places diagonal channels on a driveway, causing water to run toward the edge of the surface instead of washing all the way down.

3. Prompt Repairs

Staying ahead of gravel issues is the best way to avoid them. As you walk your driveway each day, keep an eye out for potential problems, such as holes, thinning gravel, and water channels. All of these are red flags of washout damage and should be inspected and repaired by a landscaping professional as soon as possible.

If your gravel driveway has been washed out by heavy rainfall, you can trust the landscaping experts at Tom’s Bobcat & Snowplowing in La Crosse, WI, to help return it to normal. With more than 35 years of experience, the company’s highly qualified technicians handle each customer with professionalism and attentiveness. To learn more about gravel repair, as well as snow removal and heavy hauling, visit their website, or call (608) 785-1888 to speak with a friendly representative today.