Protect Your Driveway from 3 Winter Hazards

Driveway maintenance can be a pain no matter what time of year it is, but it can be especially difficult in the winter. Snow, ice, and other winter hazards can really take their toll on your nice cement or asphalt surface. Yet, keeping your driveway smooth and sturdy is extremely important for your safety, the well-being of your car’s tires, and of course for your house’s resale value and curb appeal.

Pre-Winter Prevention
There are a few things you should do before the first snowfall to ensure that your driveway is strong and secure enough to withstand three or more months of harsh winter weather.

    • Make sure gutters aren’t draining directly onto your driveway
      Downspout extensions should be directed at least 1.8 meters away from your home's foundation and should never point towards your driveway or your neighbor’s yard.
    • Keep the cement or asphalt clean
      Before your driveway is covered by a layer of snow or ice, make sure it is as clean as possible. You may want to recruit a driveway cleaning company for pressure washing.
    • Seal your driveway
      Before winter hits, you can prevent all kinds of damage by hiring a driveway sealing service to make sure your asphalt has a strong protective coating that will last all season long. A sealcoat will not only withstand heavy snow and ice, it will also make cleaning your driveway much easier come springtime.

Winter Hazards That Threaten Your Driveway
Investing in a driveway sealing service is your number one defense against winter weather-related hazards that could otherwise destroy your asphalt or cement. Here are the three biggest culprits:

    • Moisture
      The constant temperature fluctuations during the winter can negatively impact the structure of your asphalt. Repeated freezing and thawing can create cracks in your driveway that allow moisture to seep in and loosen the aggregate in the asphalt. This causes holes to form in your driveway, though you may not even notice them until the slush and grime dries up in the spring.
    • Salt
      Many people spread over the ground de-icing agents like salt or magnesium acetate to melt the ice. Unfortunately, these chemicals can cause serious damage to your driveway. Instead, try using kitty litter or sand
    • Plows
      Plows are extremely strong and sharp, so when they scrape along the pavement, they tend to remove the sealcoat and expose the vulnerable aggregate below. Unfortunately, unless you plow your own driveway, this sort of damage is out of your control.

Make sure to treat your driveway well all year long and pay extra close attention right before and during the wintertime. Hire Kings of Clean to keep your surface sealed and safe and, once the snow and ice clear, give your driveway a good washing.