Making Sure a Driveway Is Level

A level driveway is easier to maintain.

If your driveway is not perfectly level, you could experience problems like erosion, and you could see a deterioration in the condition of your driveway over time. When you install a new driveway or refurbish an existing one, checking the level is part of the process. But you should also check the level of your existing driveway from time to time, especially if you experience problems with water pooling on its surface.

Things You'll Need

• Level

Instructions

1. Move all of your vehicles off of the driveway. It is much easier to check the level when the driveway is empty and all sections are easily accessible.

2. Wait until the next heavy rain. Watch how the water pools and lays in the driveway. If you notice a pool of water at the bottom of the driveway, you know that the top is higher than the bottom. If you notice puddles in the middle or on the sides of the driveway, that is a good indication that one side of the driveway is higher than the other.

3. Lay a long level across the driveway to check its status. Use the the largest level you can find, since a standard level will probably not be long enough to cover the entire driveway from one side to the other.

Tips & Warnings

• Extend your level by laying it on top of a long 2-by-4.

Resources

• Home Hardware: Tips on Spirit Levels