Fixing Dirt Driveway Potholes in Reno, NV:
Complete DIY Guide

How To Fix a Pothole in a Dirt Driveway in Reno, NV

Some of Reno’s most used dirt driveways are riddled with potholes. In such a small but busy metro area, these unsightly depressions can be a nuisance, potentially damaging your vehicle’s suspension and causing a ton of other problems, including uneven wear on tires. 

And the worst part? A neglected pothole only worsens with time, which necessiates fixing it ASAP. If you’re ready to face the problem head-on, let’s fill you in on the 4 steps to follow: 

1. Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials 

The first step to fixing a pothole is getting your tools of trade, which include:

• A shovel 
• A rake 
• A pothole tamper or wooden post 
• A wheelbarrow 

After that, load the wheelbarrow with enough dirt to fill in the pothole, depending on its size or the number of holes you intend to fix. 

2. Prepare the Pothole 

Once you have the required equipment and materials, it’s time to prep the pothole for repair. 

Typically, these depressions result from water being trapped beneath the driveway surface. As such, you must first enhance the underground drainage lest the potholes will reappear again after a while. An easy way to do that is by creating a “crown” (1 inch in height for every 3-4 feet of the driveway’s width) right in the driveway’s center and spreading outward. 

Afterward, remove debris from the hole by either shoveling or raking it. For potholes whose sides are loose, be sure to first dig down using a shovel or any other small garden tool to create firm edges. That will make filing the hole more straightforward. 

3. Fill In the Hole 

Fill up the pothole with dirt to a depth of, say, 3 or 4 inches above the surface level you want.  Thereafter, water the soil and use the tamper or wooden post to compact it until it sits level with the undamaged part of the driveway. Make sure to repeat the procedure until the soil is as firm as possible. 

If the continuous tamping forces the wet soil to drop below the driveway’s surface, add more dirt until it’s above it and compact it again. 

4. Pack the Patch 

For the final touches, you’ll want to pat everything down. The best way to do that is by driving your car over the affected patch several times. If your efforts don’t bring the desired results, consider adding more dirt and repeating the process we’ve discussed above. 

Fixing Potholes in Dirt Driveways: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best material to fix potholes in dirt driveways? 

Most people use dirt to fill up potholes in dirt driveways. However, sand is also a great alternative—it drains better and doesn’t swell once you add water. Even so, it’s more expensive than dirt. 

2. Is it possible to permanently eliminate potholes in dirt driveways? 

Yes, you can permanently get rid of holes in dirt driveways by filling them in with tamped-down material and covering them so they match the rest of the paved road. Even so, more potholes may appear on the driveway in the future.