Three Tips For Making Your Driveway Last As Long As Possible When You Live In An Area Prone To Harsh Winter Weather
Living in an area of the country that is prone to wet, wintery weather can take a toll on a driveway. You need to be sure that you take proper care of it if you want it to last as long as it possibly can. The guide below walks you through a few ways to keep your driveway looking great for years to come when you live in an area with harsh winters.
Clean the Snow and Ice as Quickly as You Can
The first thing you can do is you can clean the snow and ice off of the driveway as quickly as you can to decrease the chances of the snow soaking into the driveway as it melts. You can remove the snow using a snow blower or shovel. If you do not want to spend hours removing the snow with a shovel and do not own a snow blower, simply invest in a large piece of plywood. You can hold the plywood vertically so that it is at a slight slant against the driveway. Push it toward the edge of the driveway and the snow will slide right off. You want to do this every time two to three inches accumulate on the driveway. Waiting until it is a half a foot or more will make it impossible to do.
Seal the Driveway Regularly
You want to be sure to have the driveway sealed by professionals on a regular basis. The sealant helps to keep water from soaking into the driveway to keep it from being weakened over time. If you are not sure how often you need to seal your driveway, you can contact a pavement company and they should be able to let you know how often they recommend having a driveway sealed in the area where you live.
Have Cracks Filled Quickly
Finally, you want to be sure to have any cracks that develop filled as quickly as you can. The cracks can spread very quickly and cause your driveway to start to crumble. If you leave cracks for too long, the entire driveway will become cracked and may need to be replaced entirely.
If you have found that your driveway needs to be repaired, a residential paving contractor can send someone to your home to assess the situation and let you know how bad the damage is. This allows you to determine if it is a cost you can afford and how extensive the damage is before agreeing to have anything done.