The winter season is here and one of the major threats that many of us experience is when the driveway pavement becomes damaged or cracked due to the cold temperatures. It can turn into a very annoying situation, not only because of the cost associated with repairing or replacing it but also because of the safety hazards that can come along with poor driveway pavement.
For many reasons, people don’t normally understand why this happens but when the snow melts, it pools water around on the pavement and as a result, the compactness of the driveway pavement goes at risk. Therefore, when the water refreezes again, it expands into small potholes and cracks which altogether contribute to the damage to your driveway surface.
So how do you protect your driveway asphalt this winter?
Here are five tips to help you out:
1. Make it a Practice to Remove Debris from the Driveway Pavement
Staying proactive can always be helpful especially when it comes to your driveway. If you want to keep your driveway in top-notch condition, it’s necessary that you keep it well-maintained during the winter freeze and thaw cycles. Removing debris like leaves, branches, etc. from the pavement will help to reduce the amount of water that can pool around and cause damage.
When you are opt-in for a professional driveway cleanup service, it will reveal issues such as potholes or surface crackling which may require immediate attention, when and if needed. To prevent large pieces of debris from freezing and damaging the driveway pavement during the long colder months of the winter, one must clear the surface away from debris in advance.
Altogether, it will ensure that your driveway remains in the best condition.
2. Keep up with Sealcoating
We understand that driveway paving installation is among the most important investments for homes and businesses. Therefore, it is essential that you should take great care of your pavement investments. The best way to do that is to cover the cracks and potholes appearing with a seal coat.
Sealcoating is a process that blocks contaminants and water from entering the surface of the driveway pavement while restoring its color. This protective covering provides exceptional protection against everything that affects your asphalt surface such as rainwater, snow, ice, and other elements.
3. Fill Cracks Immediately
If you find any cracks on your asphalt driveway pavement, don’t wait for the winter to take its toll on the surface. Filling cracks is a necessary step that homeowners must take in order to protect their driveways against further damage during wintertime. For small and medium-sized cracks, you can use asphalt crack filler or rubberized sealant meant specifically for this purpose.
But if the problem requires more attention then you can always use cold asphalt to fill in the cracks & potholes. Usually, pre-mixed asphalt can be filled in the cracks & holes and then compacted with a tamper or a vehicle. In other cases, you can always use the hot-mix asphalt for major repairs such as potholes and trenches.
4. Beware of Salt and Chemical Deicers
An asphalt driveway or road can often get covered with salt by a process called “frost heave.” It starts happening when the ground beneath the asphalt freezes and expands pushing the asphalt up and as a result, it creates small cracks. The ice usually melts during spring or during warmer weather, but it can leave salt crystals on the surface of the asphalt.
Once the road or driveway surface is covered with salt, it weakens the integrity of your asphalt pavement and breaks it down over time. So, if you are in the habit of using salt and chemical deicers to make your driveway asphalt snow-free, then you should be extra careful while doing so. You can also try using other alternatives such as sand, kitty litter and gravel to reduce your dependence on salt and deicers.
5. Hire Professional Asphalt Paving Services
Last but not least, it is best that you always hire professional asphalt paving services for any kind of job related to asphalt. It could range from pavement maintenance and repair to seal coating & crack filling. The reasons why you should consider professional asphalt paving services is because they are well aware of;
- They are aware of the environmental effects
- They know how to choose the right deicer mix
- They are aware of pooling water on the surface
- They know how to properly manage the seal coating process
And most importantly, they have all the necessary and advanced equipment for quick and efficient completion of the job.
So, follow these tips to ensure that your driveway asphalt stays protected against any damage during the winter season and enjoy a safe and smooth ride all year round.
Concluding Thoughts
Asphalt driveways are a great way to add value and curb appeal to your home or business. That is why it’s important to take good care of your driveway asphalt in order to protect it from winter weather. By following these tips, you can make sure that your driveway asphalt stays in great condition for many years to come.
Good maintenance is key when it comes to asphalt pavement and investing in professional asphalt paving services can help you. Are you looking for a professional service?
Feel free to get in touch with our professionals.
