Winter is hard on asphalt. Freeze-and-thaw cycles (see here for more), snow shovels and de-icers all work on the asphalt and contribute to surface deterioration if care is not taken. By developing a few good habits, asphalt driveways will be safe, neat and attractive until spring. It isn’t hard!
By using these practical tips, winterizing your home can be simple and stress-free. These tips will help maintain small, annoying areas of pavement and to prevent reconstruction problems.
Avoiding Salt Damage
Rock salt is cheap and readily available, but it is not a good substance to use on asphalt. It serves to concentrate moisture in very small surface pores; at night when the moisture freezes and expands, it creates pits in the asphalt, which ultimately leads to raveling in the pavement at an accelerated rate. The salt from rock salt has the additional effect of removing the oils from the asphalt, which makes it very dull in appearance and weakens the structure of the asphalt over the months.
- Use an alternate de-icing material, such as calcium magnesium acetate (C.M.A.) or magnesium chloride, which are less corrosive than rock salt.
- Use less product: An even application of the de-icing agent works better than using large piles during de-icing, since piles of de-icing agent will burn the surface.
- Use sand to provide immediate traction on steep parts of driveways, or on shady parts that are more inclined to be slippery. Sand does not chemically attack the pavement.
- Examine and clean all places where rock salt and substances have been dropped – namely edges of driveways and joints. The cracks in these places are minute, thus allowing the rock salt or chemicals to degenerate the asphalt.
- Wash down or clean the areas of chemical deposition during the early spring season, thus preventing the accumulation of areas of stain and the development of unsightly appearance.
De-icing Safely
The best action against de-icing of pavement is speedy snow removal from the sloped surface of the pavement. Therefore, shovel the snow or blow the snow mechanically from the surface of the paved area, thus keeping the traffic from compacting and binding the snow until it forms ice.
Utilizing a plastic shovel or shovel with a rubber edge will prevent gouging the surface. However, be sure to remove fine slush to avoid refreezing overnight. The de-icer should be placed only where it needs to be, such as steps, walks and tire tracks—let the pellets work for a few minutes, then break the bond with a scraper and remove the loosened ice. Avoid using hot water, as it will freeze up and create black ice. For stubborn shady corners, traction mats or a sprinkle of non-clumping cat litter will give you traction without further chemicals.
Check https://www.reddit.com/r/lansing/comments/1i4bql7/deicing_driveways_in_winter/ for more tips.
As part of your overall paving maintenance program, crack seal hairline cracks before deep winter, so that meltwater does not get in and expand. After storms, if you see cracks in areas you know are shady by winter’s end be sure to schedule for crack sealing as soon as temperatures will permit.
Snow Plow Precautions
Plowing saves time, but with an improper set-up, the plow will scrape away the protective surface and form ridges of water. A few simple adjustments with a little thought can make a large difference and save great expense during the thaw. It takes only one deep scrape to loosen fine aggregate and thereby shorten the life of the top course, so try for a light touch only. If a service is hired for the plowing, check for those using polyurethane or rubber edged blades, and have them set the cutting edge slightly above the surface.
- For DIY snowplowing, use blade shoes (or skids) and keep the blade lifted about a half inch to protect the top surface.
- Mark the edges of the driveway with tall stakes before the first storm so you don’t catch the lawn or the shoulder of the pavement.
- Push snow with the slope of the driveway and stack it in places where meltwater will run off away from the pavement.
- Avoid spinning tires; they scar the surface and create ruts that become patches of ice.
Pre-Winter Sealcoating
A new sealcoat acts as a winter coat for your driveway, blocking moisture and protecting the top surface from de-icers. The best time to apply is late summer into the early fall when the days are warm and dry enough for curing. If you have missed this time frame, put it on the calendar for next year so your surface will be protected before the first frost.
Ask about sealcoating services that use high-quality, polymer-modified products that have a longer shelf life than others. When the surface is rough and there are many patches, inquire about resurfacing your driveway or light asphalt paving services to restore a smooth, sealed top to your driveway. For local assistance, call the asphalt contractor Platinum Triangle for an estimate or advice that is appropriate for your property.
Spring Inspection Checklist
After the snow is gone, and the pavement is dry, a quick inspection reveals troubles early. Spring is the season to think about making repairs because the temperatures and moisture content of the air are more conducive to working. Walk your entire driveway, paying particular attention to the edges and where the longest accumulation of snow has occurred.
- Notice any and all new cracks and notice the necessity of crack sealing to prevent the entry of water in the cracks before the summer storms arrive.
- Observe for the presence of potholes, depressions or soft surfacing where the melt from a snow pile has occurred and mark these areas for patching.
- Check the drainage paths and downspouts and direct all water off the driveway and not across it.
- Investigate the edges for crumbling or raveling of the surface and shore up the shoulders of the drive with compacted gravel if necessary.
- Look back and decide when last the sealcoat was applied. If the time is up to two or three years, plan a coat of fresh sealcoating services for your driveway to be applied before next winter.
With such consistent habits as gentle de-icers, careful plowing and timely sealcoating, your driveway surface will be safe and strong all season long. Giving it a little attention now will mean fewer repairs later on, all with the benefit of a smoother and cleaner surface to drive on when spring finally returns.
