Winter has a way of exposing the weak spots in your outdoor spaces. That small dip in the driveway starts holding water. Garden paths turn soft and muddy. Potholes appear almost overnight and seem to get worse with every bit of rain. The good news is, these issues are very fixable with the right aggregates. Using products like GAP 20, GAP 40, and a suitable drainage aggregate, you can stabilise surfaces properly and stop the problem from getting worse.
Why These Problems Get Worse in Winter
Rain is the biggest cause of damage, and in a Bay of Plenty winter, there’s plenty of it!
When water has nowhere to go, it will:
- Soften and weaken the ground
- Wash away finer materials
- Create movement under paths and driveways
- Turn small dips into potholes
Without proper drainage and the right base materials, these problems will keep coming back.
Fix Drainage First With the Right Metal or Drainage Aggregate
Before repairing any surface, it’s important to deal with the cause of the problem.
If water can’t drain away, it will continue to break down whatever sits on top.
For drainage applications, you need an open-graded aggregate, one without fines, so water can move through freely without compacting or blocking. Gammans Drainage Aggregate (Drainage Metal) is the right product for this. Scoria and Drainage Pumice are also great options, particularly where you want a lighter material.
Important: Avoid using GAP products in a drainage layer. The fines in GAP are exactly what makes it compact so well under a path or driveway, which is the opposite of what you need in a drainage application.
If you’re not sure which drainage product suits your project, our guide Building, Landscaping, or Drainage? How to Choose the Right Aggregate breaks it down clearly.
Installing a drainage layer beneath your surface helps prevent pooling, reduces erosion, and protects your paths and driveways long term.
How to Fix Potholes Properly
Potholes don’t fix themselves. They grow.
A quick top-up might look good for a short time, but without a solid base, it will wash out again.
To repair potholes properly:
- Remove loose and soft material
- Fill with a compactable base like GAP 40 for driveways or GAP 20 for lighter-use areas
- Compact the material firmly
- Finish with a finer layer if needed
GAP 40 is the right choice for driveways and heavier traffic areas – the larger particle size means more load-bearing strength underfoot. GAP 20 is a great all-rounder for paths and smaller spaces. Using the right aggregates here is what creates a long-lasting repair.
Stabilising Muddy Paths and Walkways
If your paths are turning to mud, it usually means the surface doesn’t have a stable structure underneath.
The fix is to rebuild it properly using layered aggregates:
- Remove waterlogged material
- Add a compacted base layer such as GAP 20
- Use a finishing layer like crusher dust for a firm, smooth surface
In wetter areas, adding a drainage aggregate underneath can help stop the problem from returning.
This combination creates a path that stays solid even through heavy winter rain.
Don’t Wait Until It Gets Worse
This is where most people get caught out.
That small puddle or soft patch might not seem urgent, but after weeks of rain, it can turn into a much bigger job.
Fixing it early means less material needed, less labour, and better long-term results.
Using the right materials from the start is what makes the difference between fixing it once and fixing it every winter.
Prepare Now for a Better Winter
Winter is the time to act, not wait.
Getting on top of drainage, potholes, and muddy areas now using GAP 20, GAP 40, Drainage Metal, and Drainage Pumice, will make a noticeable difference in how your outdoor spaces hold up over the coming months.
Got a drainage or driveway repair job coming up? Drop into the yard, give us a call on 027 548 1278, or we can arrange delivery of our drainage aggregates. Open 7 days: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, weekends 8am–3pm. There’s always a Gamman on hand.