Nov 13 Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Asphalt Driveway

It appears winter is here to stay in the Midwest for the next few months. Today, we are bringing you a few preventive and useful tips for helping your asphalt driveway or parking lot last for years to come. By keeping up with a few simple maintenance items you can increase the lifespan of your driveway and save yourself money in the long run. Take action now with our list of winter maintenance tips for your asphalt driveway:

Repair Cracks

The number one thing you can do to ensure your driveway lasts to its full potential is to take care of minor cracks while they are still small. Cracks will only expand and become larger over time so by sealing these during their infancy you can prevent minor cracks from becoming a larger issue. You can find various brands of driveway sealant at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. If you think it is too late and your driveway is falling apart, it might be time to Call a Professional and let JK Meurer inspect your driveway and come up with the best solution for you.

Remove Snow Fast

We have already seen our first snowfall of the winter here in Cincinnati and some of you may have already broken out the shovel. Speaking of shovel, what kind are you using? We advise homeowners to use a rubber or plastic snow shovel as opposed to using a metal shovel. This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people ruin their driveways by trying to chip away at the snow and ice with a metal shovel. This will ultimately cause cracks and breaks within your asphalt.

It is important to remove snow from your driveway as soon as possible. The longer the snow sits and freezes over your driveway, the more susceptible your driveway is to forming cracks.

Avoid Rock Salt when De-Icing

This is a big one that we continue to hear more and more about. Salt, although a great combatant to ice, is an asphalt driveway’s worst nightmare. Rock salt is an extremely corrosive material which is what allows it to break down ice on your driveway so well. However, the salt doesn’t stop once it melts the snow and ice away. Rock salt will continue eroding through your driveway and create large cracks and weak spots. Instead, considering using products like sand, kitty-litter, or potassium chloride to remove snow and ice from your driveway this winter.

Point Gutter Spouts away from Your Driveway

If you have a gutter spout that is creating run off onto your driveway, you might want to consider diverting the drainage away from your driveway. Not only are you creating unnecessary icy spots, but you could be creating potential hidden hazards on your sidewalk and driveway for pedestrians. If you think you might have a serious drainage issue or need assistance diverting a spout, Get in Touch with us for a free estimate.

Being a homeowner requires a lot of work. If you need assistance with your driveway maintenance, Call Us to learn more how we can help