Are you reminded of your cheap, muddy driveway every time it rains? Do you get puddles that turn into mud pits, rendering your driveway useless? If you’ve been wondering how to solve your muddy problem, we have a few solutions for you. Learn more about driveway repair here.
Cat Litter
If you’re looking for a cheap, temporary driveway repair to dry out your muddy driveway, cat litter will work. The clumping kind makes for the easiest cleanup; simply sprinkle the clean (not used!) litter in the mud and wait for it to do its magic.
The litter will absorb the water over time, clumping as it goes. Sweep them up and toss them in the trash once they’ve done their job.
Lime
If you’d rather not sprinkle kitty litter in your driveway, a similar solution would be using lime instead. You can find both quicklime and hydrated lime in most hardware and home improvement stores. It’s inexpensive and can found in pebbles, granules, or ground.
You can even make hardened soil by combining lime with dirt and sand. Spreading this mixture over your existing dirt driveway will create a hard layer and the lime will soak up excess moisture. This is an option for temporary driveway repair.
Gravel Driveway Repair
A more labor-intensive and expensive option is covering over the dirt with gravel. This is a multi-step process, requiring removal of the top layer of dirt, covering with road fabric, and then layering gravel stone over the fabric.
For this application, angular stone works better than smooth stone. For a gravel driveway to drain properly, natural gaps created by the stone allow water to trickle through at a slow enough rate that the surrounding dirt and soil can absorb the excess water.
Recycled Asphalt Driveway Repair
A more eco-friendly and longer-lasting choice to gravel is using recycled asphalt. Chunks of asphalt are spread onto the driveway after road fabric and a base layer is laid. As you drive over the asphalt, it breaks down and eventually creates a layer similar to a formed asphalt driveway. However, the biggest difference is the natural gaps created, allowing water to trickle through into the surrounding ground area much like a gravel driveway.
Permeable Pavers for Driveway Repair
Another environmentally friendly way to fix your muddy driveway is to use permeable pavers. These plastic pavers are strong as concrete when compressed, easily able to withstand the weight of a car or truck.
They can be filled with gravel or seed, allowing grass to grow through the pavers if desired. The pavers lock together, forming a grid pattern, and can be installed by the homeowner or a professional. The key to flawless installation is a level surface, so if you decide to go this route, make sure your driveway is even and dry. Fill in any gaps with dirt or gravel to create a smooth and easy installation process.
Why is my Driveway Muddy?
Before you decide which way to fix your muddy driveway, it’s a good idea to figure out why it’s filling with water. Is it graded lower than the surrounding area? Is there a drainage problem causing the water to pool in your driveway?
Sometimes, the best solution isn’t the cheapest. Depending on the reason for your muddy driveway, you may need to have a drain installed to direct the flow of water to a different area. Or, a simpler solution is to grade your driveway so it’s no longer the lowest elevation.
When it’s Time to Call the Driveway Repair Professional
If you’re unsure the reason your driveway is muddy, or it’s a project too big for you to handle on your own, call us today at 410-ASPHALT (410-277-4258).
Though asphalt’s in the name, it’s not the only medium we use to solve muddy driveway problems.Contact us, and We’ll come out to do a free estimate and provide solutions that will work best for your home.
