Though the weather is still nice, it won’t be warm and sunny for long. Winter brings many changes into our lives, and now is the time to start preparing for the snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Before the weather changes, one of the areas of your home that you need to look at is your driveway. Freezing temperatures can take a toll on your asphalt driveway. Frozen precipitation puts pressure on your asphalt leading to foundation problems. And, before you know it, simple fixes become complicated and expensive repair projects. To prevent this, it’s important that you are proactive, take necessary steps, or even hire an asphalt paving company in MD to prepare for the cold weather.
Check and Seal Cracks
First, inspect to determine if the driveway has any cracks. If so, the cracks must be filled before the snow starts to fall. If you leave cracks open throughout the winter season, they are only going to get bigger. When snow and ice melt, water overflow leaks through the cracks. If the temperatures get cold again, that water freezes, expanding the cracks.
Keep Your Driveway Clean
Leading up to winter, you need to make sure your driveway is clear from any debris, dirt, leaves, twigs, weeds, and stones. If these things are left on your driveway, they can permanently damage it once the weight of snow and ice presses them. Oil can also cause some deterioration to your driveway if left to mixed with the snow. Power wash your driveway before the first snowfall to ensure there won’t be any problems.
Also, after the snow and ice hit the ground, make sure you clear the driveway as quickly as possible and try and keep it clean. Now is the time to ensure that your snow removing tools are in proper working condition. Chipped shovels can further damage your driveway if they get caught in a crack. Most snow blowers will need tune-ups after sitting unused during all the warmer months.
Need an Asphalt Paving Company in MD?
Applying a quality sealant to your asphalt driveway will protect it from the cold weather. Sealant provides an extra layer of protection that resists damage from melting snow, ice melts, motor oil and gasoline.
If you have questions about how to prepare your driveway for the winter, consider A&M Asphalt Paving. We are an experienced, professional asphalt paving company in MD, serving the Baltimore area. We excel at new asphalt construction, asphalt patching, seal coating, and snow removal. No matter the season, we are here to keep your driveway looking fantastic .