The winter season in New England can be beautiful, but it can also wreak havoc on your home’s driveway. Snow and ice falling, melting, and refreezing can cause all kinds of issues if you don’t do the necessary upkeep. It is, however, sometimes difficult to know what steps you should take to keep your driveway in good condition all winter long. Check out this list of winter DOs and DON’Ts for your driveway, straight from the landscape, hardscape, and snow removal specialists at GCS Services.
DOs:
Clear your driveway before the first snowfall
At the end of autumn, after the leaves have fallen from the trees but prior to the first snowfall of the season, you should completely clear your driveway of debris. Rake leaves to the curb, remove sticks and other debris, and make sure there are no oil stains or other spills that need to be cleaned. This way, you will have a clean slate with which to start the winter. If you don’t have the time to do this yourself or are looking for a fast & professional job, hiring a landscaping service is the way to go!
Apply sealant every two to five years
To prevent deterioration, asphalt driveways should be sealed every two to five years. The frequency with which you need to seal your driveway depends on multiple factors, such as how many vehicles regularly sit on it, how often it is driven on, and how much precipitation your region gets. Driveway sealant can be purchased from any home improvement retailer. You can apply it yourself in a few hours or hire a professional to handle the job. If you aren’t sure how often your driveway should be resealed, check with a hardscape professional.
DON’Ts:
Avoid corrosive substances
While you might have had good experiences with rock salt-based deicers in the past, these solutions are generally very bad for your driveway. Rock salt can cause asphalt to break down significantly more quickly than it naturally would. Instead, invest in a quality deicer that has calcium chloride listed as the active ingredient.
Park heavy vehicles elsewhere
Extremely heavy vehicles, such as semi-truck cabs and RVs, should not be routinely parked on asphalt driveways. If, for instance, you leave an RV on a driveway for months at a time, it can eventually cause the asphalt to shift and settle. Then, in the winter, you might find yourself dealing with frost heaves in the “valleys” of your driveway.
The best way to keep your driveway in excellent shape is to hire a professional snow removal team every winter. They will know what chemicals and equipment are safe for asphalt and will work hard to keep your driveway snow-free without damaging it. For a commercial & residential snow removal contractor in the Newburyport, MA area, check out GCS Services!