When summer comes to an end and the temperatures start to fall, it’s time to start preparing for winter. This time of year, homeowners usually start putting away patio furniture, raking leaves, and getting their homes ready for the coming snow and cold. However, people often overlook their driveways during the process. Extreme weather often has negative effects on pavement, so neglecting the well-being of your driveway could prove costly. A little preventative maintenance and attention will keep your driveway in good shape for a long time. Prepare your driveway for winter and be ready for nature’s fury.
Stock Ice Melt
Snow and ice are coming. Get ready for it by stocking ice melt in the garage. Be cautious about what kind you buy, as the type of ice melt you put on your driveway makes a difference. Sodium chloride, for example—better known as rock salt—can be corrosive to your yard and car. Continuously driving on the salt may grind away at your driveway. A more modern solution of magnesium chloride and calcium-based deicers release less chloride into the environment and work well in lower temperatures.
Check Your Snow Removal Tools
Snowblowers and shovels are necessities for keeping your driveway clear. They can also damage the driveway while performing their duties. A dinged edge on a shovel can slowly chip away at the driveway with each shovelful of snow. The same applies for the snowblower; rough edges on the skid feet can gouge holes while skimming the driveway. Make sure your tools are in good condition so that they don’t tear up the driveway.
Fill and Seal Any Cracks
Check your driveway for any cracks before the first snowfall, as any existing cracks won’t improve once the cold and snow come. Water and ice that fill those cracks will seep into the ground and freeze, causing the driveway to heave and become bumpy. Clean out the cracks with a leaf blower, fill them in, and seal them so that water doesn’t get in there and make the cracks bigger.
Keep it Clear
Once the snow finally hits, try to keep your driveway clean and clear. Snow and ice make getting your car in and out of the garage difficult, and large amounts of wet, heavy snow add downward pressure and stress to your driveway. Combine that with the extreme cold of winter, and major damage can happen. The cold causes driveways—especially asphalt ones—to shrink and contract. That pressure and movement could lead to large cracks. If you don’t have the tools or the ability to clear the snow yourself, call a snowplow to do it.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
