How To Keep Your Driveway Safe And Preserve Its Lifespan During The Winter Months

To say that winter is a harsh season can feel like an extreme understatement, especially for those who live in states that experience heavy snowfall and bone-chilling temperatures. Not only does it take a toll on you, but it takes a toll on your home. All that snow, ice, slush, and dropping temperatures can do a real number on the exterior of a home. While it may seem as though everything is fine in the dead of winter when a blanket of snow has covered it all, come spring the wear and tear can leave you with a list of repairs.

A good tip for homeowners is to find ways to winterize your home, which will help it to fare much better during the cold months. Your driveway is one of those items that can take a real beating, which will eat away at its lifespan, and even jeopardize the safety of the driveway. Here we’ll take a look at some tips you can use to ensure you protect it the best you can, and keep it safe during the winter.

Give Your Driveway A Good Cleaning And Inspection

First things first, you’re going to want to give your driveway a good cleaning so you can do an inspection. You will want to look for any cracks and damage that could potentially get worse during the colder months. These can then be filled in order to maintain a smooth and strong surface.

If the problems are bigger than just a small crack here and there, there’s a good chance you’ll need to call in a professional to look after the repair. Companies such as Richfield Blacktop can come out, assess the situation, and provide you with a fix.

Apply A Sealing To The Driveway

Now that you’ve fixed up any issues with the driveway, the next step is to seal it. The reason this step is so important is that it will prevent any of that ice, slush, freezing rain, and snow from breaking through that surface seal and starting to eat away at the driveway itself. Think of the seal as a protective barrier. It will also help to prevent damage from salt that you may throw down to help melt ice and snow.

Clear The Snow As Quickly As Soon As Possible After It Falls

Moving forward you want to be sure that you clear the snow as soon as possible after it falls rather than letting it sit there. If it’s just a light dusting, try using a push broom to clear the surface. This will get the job done and without any damage to the driveway. Make sure the shovel you are using doesn’t have cracks or missing chunks, as this can scrap your driveway.

Even though it can seem like a good idea to use rock salt on ice, it is extremely damaging to your driveway. A better option is to use sand, which won’t damage the driveway at all, and while it doesn’t melt the snow or ice it will give you that much-needed traction.

All of these tips will help you to winterize your driveway.