The cold winter weather is unforgiving to asphalt driveways and surfaces. It makes them vulnerable to cracking, contracting, and buckling, resulting in lots of costly problems. Luckily, with proper care, you can keep your asphalt in pristine condition when the temperatures plummet. Learn ways to protect your asphalt driveway from the unforgiving effects of winter.
Perform Repairs and Sealcoat
While asphalt is a durable paving material, it is vulnerable to wear due to age, traffic, and inclement weather. With time, your driveway may develop cracks, potholes, depressions, and raveling. Before the onset of winter, take time and check your driveway for damage or deterioration.
Do not ignore any issue, including small cracks, as they may worsen over time. Small cracks allow moisture and water into the substrate when left over winter, resulting in alligator cracks and potholes. Whether the repairs involve patching potholes, resurfacing, or asphalt removal and replacement, it is best to handle them before the chilly season for optimal outcomes.
In addition, sealcoat your driveway to give it a facelift and add a protective layer against harsh weather. It goes a long way to prevent water intrusion in the asphalt's surface, increase your asphalt's lifespan and strengthen its foundation.
Monitor Pooling
Water is a big asphalt enemy, especially when it is stagnant. Depressions and indents on your driveway may cause water to pool in one area. Also, poor drainage can contribute to standing water.
The worst thing about stagnant water is that it makes its way into the asphalt's surface, where it wreaks havoc. Therefore, get rid of any pooling water on your driveway to preserve its integrity and functionality.
Clean Up
While keeping your driveway clean is a year-round maintenance task, it is particularly vital during winter. Clear any visible debris on your asphalt, from leaves to objects and stones, and wash away any strains.
Failure to do this can ruin your driveway since all the debris will be buried in the snow and may erode it. This affects your driveway's aesthetics while degrading the environment.
Invest in Snow Removal
During winter, you should remove snow as soon as it accumulates for two primary reasons. First, snow on the driveway increases the probability of thawing and refreezing and adds excessive weight to the asphalt. In addition, when the snow gets into even the smallest crack, it expands and widens the crack, necessitating huge repairs.
Second, snow is a driving hazard, especially on parking lots since they cover parking space markings. Also, it makes pedestrians more susceptible to slips and falls that may result in liability.
The best snow removal method is having a professional handle it since they will do the task perfectly while preserving your asphalt. However, if this is impossible, you can shovel the ice with a plastic shovel or use an ice blower.
De-Ice Safely
While it is tempting to buy any de-icing agent from your local store to melt ice on your driveway, it is not advisable. Most deicers like rock salt are hard on asphalt, highly corrosive, and harm your asphalt. If you must de-ice, use safe alternatives like potassium chloride.
Inspect Gutters
Gutters that drain water in the driveway need to be checked. It is best to channel the runoff away from the asphalt since it creates unnecessary icy spots and may accelerate driveway drainage issues. If you can't handle the task, hire a professional gutter company to tackle the problem and protect your driveway.
Your driveway is a valuable investment, and you want to protect it from weather damage to attain a return of investment. Get in touch with Star Paving for residential, commercial, and government asphalt paving in New Mexico. We offer quality, safe, and cost-effective paving services to meet your needs and goals.
