If you live in an area that has cold winter weather along with snow, ice, and other winter hazards, you know it can be difficult to maintain your driveway during the colder months. However, proper residential driveway maintenance is critical if you want to protect the cement or asphalt and maintain your home’s attractive curb appeal. Coupled with a major safety issue during winter, when it’s important to avoid the risks of slipping on ice or snow – either in or outside the car, proper wintertime care can save your budget and your back.
Below are some basic year-round / winter residential driveway maintenance tips, including:
- Relocate trees or shrubs alongside the driveway that have roots that could eventually threaten the cement or asphalt.
- Create space for snow and other drain-off by edging the sides of the driveway. Edging the sod / grass / overgrowth 2″ – 3″ alongside the driveway helps water down along the sides vs the surface.
- Periodically seal or waterproof your driveway with a high quality sealing product. Visit our residential driveway sealcoating services area to learn more.
- Keep the cement or blacktop clean year-round with a leafblower and pressure washer. It’s especially important to clean spilled oil or other chemicals that might damage your driveway.
- Avoid using salt on cement driveways in winter, especially during the first year. Salt can lead to cracks in cement and other damage.
- Whether you have a professional plow to remove snow from your driveway or you do it yourself, be sure the plow blade is lifted high enough so that it doesn’t scrape and damage the cement or asphalt.
- Make sure gutters are not draining directly onto your driveway.
- Never park heavy vehicles or equipment on your driveway. It is not built to handle their weight.
- Remove snow and ice from your driveway as soon as possible, because the freezing and thawing process can cause the driveway to crack and cause water to enter the subgrade below, beginning the process of pothole formation.
Avoid using de-icing chemicals, since the chemicals can penetrate the concrete surface and cause damage underneath. While rock salt may not harm your driveway directly, it can harm vegetation in your yard and corrode metal. The best way to add traction to an icy driveway is through the use of kitty litter or sand. If you are resealing your driveway in the fall, you will go far in protecting your concrete from the harmful effects of a snowy winter.
If your driveway has become a sheet of ice. Use the sun! If you spread sand over the driveway, the sun’s process of heating the sand will create “pock marks” in the ice with ridges and peaks that will simply evaporate away in the sunshine.
If you decide to hire a snow plowing service, you’ll want to be sure that the service will be prompt, trustworthy, within your budget, and a company that makes sure to avoid any damage.
If you’re using an outside contractor, here’s some tips to make the best decisions for your winter residential driveway maintence.
- Collect estimates from several businesses in advance so you can determine the going rate in your area and which companies are within your budget.
- Ask questions about the service. How often to they normally plow? Will you have to call them before they put you on their schedule? What equipment do they use, and are they aware of the steps necessary to avoid damaging your driveway? What if they do damage your driveway or other property? How do they bill for their services (flat fee, per inch)?
- Ask if there are any additional costs. Does the company charge extra for snow or salt? Do they charge more for large snowfalls?
- Make sure to get a written agreement. In any business arrangement, it’s important to get the details in writing. That way, if your expectations are not met, you might be able to get a refund and to hire another service.
Once you make it through the winter, be sure to maintain your driveway year-round. If you have an asphalt driveway, it’s important to make sure it is patched, sealed, and kept clean. With regular maintenance and careful winter attention, your driveway can remain a safe, attractive, well-kept part of your home.
Recent Comments