How to Reset Your Gravel Driveway After Winter Plowing and Snowmelt
Winter can be tough on gravel driveways, especially in Northwest Ohio where snowplows, freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy snowmelt take a toll. By the time spring arrives, many homeowners are left with ruts, potholes, washed-out areas, and uneven surfaces that weren’t there in the fall. The good news is that early spring is the perfect time to reset your gravel drivewa y and prevent small issues from turning into expensive repairs later in the year. Here’s how winter damage happens and what you can do now to restore a smooth, durable driveway. What Winter Does to Gravel Driveways Snowplowing is one of the biggest contributors to gravel loss. Each pass of the plow can scrape away top layers of stone, pushing gravel into yards or ditches. At the same time, melting snow seeps into low spots and underneath the gravel base. When overnight temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, creating ruts and soft spots. Spring rain only adds to the problem. Without proper drainage, water cont...