Gravel roads allow farmers, ranchers, and hunters access to the lesser-traveled areas on their property. While these small-rock lanes are an affordable and easy way to travel from main roads to private destinations, they require maintenance to avoid erosion caused by use and weather. Below are a few tips to keep your path looking and functioning excellently.

How to Preserve a Gravel Road

1. Add Fresh Gravel

You must replenish rocks that fall to the side from regular use or wash away because of rain every one to two years. This helps prevent potholes and ruts that can make traveling the road rough and damage the tires on your vehicles. Rather than fill in ruts with existing stones from another section of the path, add new ones so that the path is even. This ensures that your path is uniform and comfortable when traveling on it. 

2. Level It

After installing the road, a crucial maintenance task is keeping it even and level. Vehicles, foot traffic, and rain will dislodge the rocks on your path over time. If you shift the road too much, you’ll experience a bumpy ride, thanks to the craters and potholes that will develop. Attach a box scraper or grader blade to a small tractor to flatten the rocks. Angle the blade so that it is parallel to the ground and make several passes to smooth the surface. You should do this whenever you notice issues, and make sure to make a pass going both ways on the road.

3. Apply Edging

The rocks will shift over time and end up in the roadside grass, but you can contain it by lining the edges with pavers, bricks, or another decorative stone. Not only will this reduce the amount of gravel that you must replace over time, but it also makes the path more attractive. If you notice the rocks are shifting on top of the edging, you can sweep them back into the road quickly.

Whether you need ornamental rock and stone for your walkway or want to install a gravel road, contact LaSalle Sand & Gravel in Kalispell, MT. They have been helping homeowners fill or refill their private paths with high-quality materials for over 15 years.  Call (406) 756-9070 to speak with a representative and schedule a consultation.