8/11/24

What to Do When Your Driveway Washes Out After Heavy Rain

Well, it finally happened. After days of non-stop, torrential rain, you look outside to see a scene of absolute chaos where your once-pristine driveway used to be. Now, it’s a mess of ruts, gullies, & maybe even a full-on chasm. It’s a gut-wrenching sight, for sure, but don’t panic. As someone who's seen this happen more times than I can count, I can tell you that as bad as it looks, it's fixable. It’s a MAJOR inconvenience, but with the right steps, you can get your driveway back in working order & even make it stronger for the next big storm. So, grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, & let's walk through what to do when your driveway washes out.

First Things First: Safety & Damage Assessment

Before you even think about repairs, the absolute first thing you need to do is prioritize safety. A washed-out driveway can be seriously dangerous, so it's crucial to take a step back & assess the situation carefully.

Safety Above All Else

The most important rule? DO NOT, under any circumstances, try to drive on a washed-out driveway. It might look like you can make it across a rutted section, but you have no idea how stable the ground underneath is. That seemingly shallow puddle could be hiding a deep sinkhole that could swallow your car's tire whole. A washed-out driveway can also have sharp drop-offs & unstable soil that could give way under the weight of a person, let alone a vehicle. So, rope off the area, put up some cones, or do whatever you have to do to make sure no one—not your family, not the mail carrier, not your pizza delivery driver—tries to use it.
If your driveway is completely impassable, you're going to need a temporary parking solution. This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Prked connects you with homeowners in your neighborhood who are renting out their unused driveway or garage space. It’s a super convenient & affordable way to find a safe place to park your car while your driveway is out of commission. You can book a spot for a few days, a week, or even longer, depending on how long the repairs take. It's a much better option than leaving your car on the street, where it could be ticketed or towed.

Assessing the Damage

Once you’ve secured the area & found a temporary parking spot, it's time to take a closer look at the damage. Grab a notebook or your phone & start documenting everything you see. Take lots of pictures & videos from different angles. This will be super helpful when you're talking to contractors or, if applicable, your insurance company.
Here’s what you should be looking for:
  • Deep ruts & channels: Note how deep & wide they are. Are they just on the surface, or do they seem to go deeper?
  • Missing gravel or surface material: Is the top layer of your driveway completely gone in some spots, exposing the dirt or base layer underneath?
  • Pooling water & muddy patches: Where is the water collecting? This can give you clues about drainage issues.
  • Exposed culverts or pipes: If you have a culvert pipe running under your driveway, is it visible or damaged?
  • Damage to surrounding areas: Did the water that washed out your driveway also damage your lawn, garden beds, or your home's foundation?
This initial assessment will give you a good idea of the extent of the problem & what you're up against. It’s also a good time to start thinking about what might have caused the washout in the first place.

Why Did My Driveway Wash Out, Anyway?

Understanding the root cause of the problem is key to preventing it from happening again. Sure, the heavy rain was the immediate trigger, but there are usually underlying issues that contribute to a driveway washout.

The Culprit: Water

The number one enemy of any driveway is water. When you have a massive amount of rainwater with nowhere to go, it’s going to find the path of least resistance, & that's often right through your driveway. Here are some of the most common reasons why your driveway might have been so vulnerable:
  • Poor Drainage: This is the BIG one. If your driveway doesn't have a proper drainage system, water will just sit on the surface or run down the middle, picking up speed & power as it goes. This is especially true for sloped driveways.
  • Improper Grading: A well-graded driveway should have a "crown," meaning it's slightly higher in the middle so that water naturally sheds off to the sides. If your driveway is flat or, even worse, concave, it's basically a channel for water.
  • Clogged Culverts & Ditches: If you have a drainage ditches along the sides of your driveway or a culvert pipe underneath, they need to be clear of leaves, branches, & other debris to do their job. A clogged culvert can cause water to back up & overflow, leading to a major washout.
  • Runoff from Your Roof: Your roof collects a TON of water during a storm. If your gutters & downspouts are pointing directly at your driveway, you're essentially funnelling all that water onto a surface that's already struggling to cope.
  • Inadequate Base Material: A driveway is only as strong as its foundation. If the base layer of gravel or soil wasn't properly compacted or is made of the wrong materials, it's much more likely to wash away.
Now that you have a better understanding of what went wrong, let's talk about how to fix it. The repair process will depend on the type of driveway you have.

Repairing a Washed-Out Driveway: A Material-by-Material Guide

The steps you'll need to take to repair your washed-out driveway will vary depending on whether it's made of gravel, asphalt, or concrete.

Gravel Driveways

Gravel driveways are the most susceptible to washouts, but they're also generally the easiest & least expensive to repair. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fixing a washed-out gravel driveway:
  1. Regrade the Driveway: The first step is to smooth out all the ruts & low spots. You can do this with a tractor & a box blade, or for smaller driveways, a heavy-duty rake might do the trick. The goal is to create a smooth, even surface & re-establish that all-important crown.
  2. Improve Drainage: Now is the time to address any drainage issues. This might mean digging or clearing out drainage ditches along the sides of the driveway. If you have a recurring problem with water flowing across your driveway, you might want to consider installing a French drain. A French drain is essentially a trench filled with gravel & a perforated pipe that collects water & directs it away from your driveway. For more severe drainage problems, you might need to install a culvert pipe under the driveway to allow water to pass through without washing everything away.
  3. Apply New Gravel: Once the driveway is regraded & the drainage is improved, it's time for new gravel. But don't just throw any old gravel down. For a long-lasting repair, you'll want to use a mix of different sizes. Start with a base layer of larger, crushed stone, then add a top layer of smaller, finer gravel. This combination will pack down tightly & create a more stable surface. It's also a good idea to apply a geotextile fabric or geo grid before you lay the gravel, especially on steep slopes. This will help to hold the gravel in place & prevent it from washing away in the future.
  4. Compact, Compact, Compact: This is a step that a lot of people skip, but it's SO important. After you've spread the new gravel, you need to compact it. You can do this with a heavy roller or by driving back & forth over it with a heavy vehicle. Compacting the gravel locks it into place & creates a much more durable surface.

Asphalt Driveways

Asphalt driveways are less likely to wash out completely than gravel driveways, but they can still suffer significant damage from heavy rain. Water can get into small cracks, freeze & thaw, & eventually cause the asphalt to crumble. It can also wash away the soil from underneath the driveway, leading to sinkholes & large cracks. Here’s how to repair a washed-out asphalt driveway:
  1. Clean the Damaged Area: First, you need to thoroughly clean the area you're going to repair. Remove any loose asphalt, dirt, or debris with a stiff broom or a pressure washer. Make sure the area is completely dry before you move on to the next step.
  2. Fill Cracks & Holes: For small cracks, you can use an asphalt crack filler that comes in a caulking tube or a pourable bottle. For larger holes or areas where the asphalt has completely crumbled away, you'll need to use a cold patch asphalt repair material. Overfill the hole slightly, then tamp it down with a tamper or a piece of 4x4 lumber until it's flush with the surrounding driveway.
  3. Address Underlying Issues: If your asphalt driveway has large cracks or is sinking in some areas, it’s a sign that the ground underneath has washed away. This is a more serious problem that might require professional help. A contractor can use a technique called "mudjacking" or "slabjacking" to pump a mixture of concrete & other materials under the sunken asphalt to lift it back into place.
  4. Seal the Driveway: Once all the repairs are done & have had time to cure, it's a good idea to seal the entire driveway. An asphalt sealer will fill in any tiny cracks & create a waterproof barrier that will protect your driveway from future water damage.

Concrete Driveways

Concrete driveways are the most durable, but they're not immune to water damage. Like with asphalt, water can seep underneath a concrete driveway & wash away the soil, causing the slabs to sink & crack. Here's what to do if your concrete driveway is a victim of a washout:
  1. Assess the Foundation: The biggest concern with a washed-out concrete driveway is the stability of the foundation. If you see large cracks or sections of the driveway that have sunken or lifted, it's a sure sign that the ground underneath has been compromised.
  2. Fill Voids with Expanding Foam: For smaller voids under your concrete driveway, you can use an expanding polyurethane foam. You drill small holes in the concrete & inject the foam, which then expands to fill the void & stabilize the slab. This is a great DIY solution for minor sinking.
  3. Mudjacking for Larger Issues: For more significant sinking or uneven slabs, you'll likely need to call a professional for mudjacking. Just like with asphalt, they'll pump a slurry underneath the sunken slab to raise it back to its original level. This is a much more cost-effective solution than replacing the entire slab.
  4. Repair Cracks: For cracks in your concrete driveway, you can use a concrete crack filler or a concrete patching compound. Make sure to clean out the crack thoroughly before you apply the filler. For a more professional-looking repair, you can use a concrete caulk & then smooth it out with a putty knife.
  5. Consider a Concrete Overlay: If your concrete driveway has a lot of surface damage, like small cracks & discoloration, a decorative concrete overlay can be a great option. An overlay is a thin layer of cement-based material that is applied over your existing driveway to create a new, fresh surface. You can even have it stamped or stained to look like stone or brick.

Preventing Future Washouts: A Long-Term Strategy

Once your driveway is repaired, the last thing you want is to have to go through this whole process again after the next big storm. The key to preventing future washouts is a combination of good design & regular maintenance.

Drainage is Everything

I can't say it enough: proper drainage is the single most important factor in preventing driveway washouts. Here are some of the best long-term drainage solutions:
  • Install a French Drain: As I mentioned earlier, a French drain is a fantastic way to collect & divert water away from your driveway. They're relatively easy to install & can make a HUGE difference.
  • Build a Crown: If you have a gravel or asphalt driveway, make sure it has a proper crown. This will ensure that water flows off to the sides instead of down the middle.
  • Keep Ditches & Culverts Clear: Make a habit of regularly clearing out any drainage ditches or culvert pipes. A few minutes of work after each storm can save you a world of headache down the road.
  • Redirect Downspouts: Take a look at your home's gutters & downspouts. If they're aimed at your driveway, redirect them to your lawn or a garden bed.

Regular Maintenance is Key

A little bit of regular maintenance can go a long way in keeping your driveway in good shape & preventing major problems.
  • For Gravel Driveways: Rake your gravel driveway regularly to keep it smooth & fill in any small ruts. You should also plan on adding a fresh layer of gravel every few years to keep it in top condition.
  • For Asphalt Driveways: Seal your asphalt driveway every 2-5 years to protect it from water damage & the sun's UV rays. You should also fill any small cracks as soon as you see them to prevent water from getting in.
  • For Concrete Driveways: Seal your concrete driveway every few years to protect it from moisture & stains. And just like with asphalt, be sure to repair any cracks right away.

When to Call a Pro

While there are many driveway repairs that a handy homeowner can tackle themselves, there are some situations where it's best to call in a professional. If you're dealing with a major washout, significant sinking or cracking, or if you're just not comfortable with the work, don't hesitate to call a contractor. They have the experience, equipment, & expertise to do the job right. The cost to repair a washed-out driveway can vary widely depending on the extent of the damage & the materials involved. Minor repairs might only cost a few hundred dollars, while a major repair or a full replacement could run into the thousands. But investing in a professional repair now can save you a lot of money & frustration in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Waking up to a washed-out driveway is a homeowner's nightmare, there's no doubt about it. But as you can see, it's not the end of the world. By taking a methodical approach—prioritizing safety, assessing the damage, understanding the cause, & making the right repairs—you can get your driveway back in business. And by investing in some long-term preventative measures, you can make sure you're not in the same boat the next time the skies open up.
And remember, while your driveway is out of commission, you've got options. A service like Prked can be an absolute lifesaver for finding a temporary parking spot, taking one major stressor off your plate.
I hope this was helpful! It’s a tough situation to be in, but you’ve got this. Let me know what you think in the comments below. I'd love to hear about your own experiences with driveway washouts & what's worked for you.
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