Crushed stone is an excellent driveway material thanks to its durability, longevity, cost-effectiveness, and natural beauty. If you recently had the material installed, winter can pose a problem due to ice and snow. While you do not want to create a slippery surface for walking and driving, you also don’t want to displace the stones. Use these tips to maintain a safe, eye-catching driveway throughout the coldest months of the year.

4 Tips for Maintaining a Crushed Stone Driveway During the Cold Season

1. Break up Compacted Snow With a Rake

Use a rake with a heavy head and tines that are one inch apart to deal with compacted snow. Raking removes snow, as well as other debris, such as leaves, twigs, and grass. Make a habit of raking your crushed stone driveway about once a week throughout the year to keep it looking pristine.

If the snow is wet and heavy, use a shovel to remove it in layers. Work until there’s one inch of snow remaining so you don’t dislodge the crushed stone and create more labor for yourself.

2. Use a Leaf or Snow Blower

Eliminate dry, lightweight snow with a leaf or snow blower to save time and energy. Set the blower about one inch above the ground to avoid getting crushed stone caught in the appliance or accidentally moving the material along with the snow.

3. Resolve Pothole Issues

Inspect your crushed stone driveway for potholes. Instead of raking over them, rake out to fill them back in correctly. Keep additional crushed stone available for backfilling to avoid creating weak spots throughout your driveway.

4. Melt Snow With Salt or Sand

Melt any remaining snow with rock salt. If you live in a sunny area, use sand to melt snow, as it will not burn the skin or animal paws upon contact. Plus, the sand becomes part of your crushed stone driveway—unlike rock salt, which leaves residue behind, damaging nearby grass or paved surfaces. 

Rely on The L. Suzio York Hill Companies for all your crushed stone needs. The supplier has served South-Central Connecticut for over 100 years, providing ready-mix concrete products, crushed trap rock, and other quality materials. Call (203) 237-8421 today to place an order, or visit the supplier online for product details. See their latest work on Twitter.