Driveway Fabric

[Smitty 747]

I have no expertise in rock driveway/road design or construction other than what I've read here on TBN. My understanding is that driveway damage comes from water either eroding the rock or water soaking into and softening the base material causing the rock to push down into the "dirt". It makes sense to me that the driveway fabric should be waterproof and not allow moisture to pass through, but instead follow the slope to the edges and drain into the ditches. Why is driveway fabric not designed this way?

 

[dodge man]

If it didn't let water pass through it, it would tend to hold water and make a soupy mess.

 

[rdln]

Sometimes a driveway cannot have a draining slope, Also, the woven design creates a puncture proof material whereas a water proof (plastic, rubber sheet) would have to be so thick and expensive to achieve the same puncture resistance

 

[john_bud]

The fabric spreads the forces out and keeps the whole road way acting as a unit with the 6+ inches of gravel locked together. Without it, the tire weight will push the rocks down locally making ruts. The ruts hold water and make it softer leading to deeper ruts and more water.