Winter is here, and along with it snow and ice. If you have a driveway and want to take care of it, you may be inetrested in how winter could affect your driveway. While freshly fallen snow may look pretty, the winter weather can take a toll on your driveway and the results will not look pretty.  Plan ahead and execute the list of tips to prepare your driveway for winter.

Tips to Prepare your Driveway for Winter

Check for cracks in your driveway before the snow hits. It’s a good idea to look for cracks before the first snowfall. Be physically prepared for what may come. Take a photo of your driveway and then compared it to what you see next Spring.

Seal those cracks. Any cracks you have in your driveway may get worse. When snow and ice thaw, water runoff will leak through the cracks. When it freezes again before it dries, the water expands and creates larger cracks. We suggest you seal your driveway in the fall so you don’t need to worry about further damage. If it’s too late, put that on your home manintenance to-do list.

Use calcium-based ice melts. The type of ice melt you use on your driveway makes a big difference. Calcium-based ice melts do little to no damage compared to some of the blends that are chemically based.

Keep your driveway clear and clean. When the snow and ice do hit, make sure you clear the driveway as quickly as possible and try and keep it clean. As mentioned, certain ice melts have chemicals that can get into the cracks and do some serious damage. If you are able to clear your driveway of ice and snow and the subsequent chemicals, you are less likely to have damage to your driveway.

Next season, powerwash your driveway in the fall. Sticks, leaves, and rocks can cause deterioration to your driveway once layers of ice and snow stack on top of them. In addition, oil and grit can also cause deterioration.

Clear your driveway with the proper tools. Snowblowers and shovels should be checked for wear and tear. Make sure you get your snowblower tuned up. Chipped shovels can cause damage to your driveways, especially if they get caught in a crack.

Check for drainage issues. Make sure your driveway has proper drainage. If pools of water sit on your driveway, you could have some serious issues during the winter months.

Pre-Winter Advise

Make sure you contact Concrete Raising Systems of Kansas City. It does not hurt to get an assessment of driveway if you have uneven slabs or portions of your drive are sinking. If the ground is not frozen, we can take a look and repair your driveway by lifting uneven concrete slabs. Call us at (816) 419-8306 or contact us.

This article has been recently updated and republished.

The post 6 Tips to Prepare Your Driveway for Winter appeared first on Concrete Raising Systems- Concrete Lifting, Foam Jacking, Concrete Repair, Kansas City.