Winter is one of the harshest seasons on your pavement. It can be really damaging to your driveway if you don't prepare and take care of your pavement correctly during the winter time.
Seal Your Pavement
Before winter arrives, you should seal your pavement. You need it well above freezing in order to seal your pavement, so this is a task that should really be completed in the fall. Before you seal your pavement, clean your pavement with a pressure washer and fill in any cracks you find with concrete sealer.
Then apply sealant to the top of your concrete. You can apply sealant with a big brush or even a large squeegee. It works best if you apply the coat in small sections at a time; that is the best way to work your cement and ensure that you seal all of it. Allow the sealant to dry for a few days before you park on it again.
Remove Snow Right Away
Do not let snow sit on your driveway for an extended period of time. Use a snow shovel, plow or blower to get the snow off of your driveway as quickly as possible. You want your driveway to look clear. You should be able to see the surface of your driveway, even when it is really snowy outside.
Letting snow sit on your driveway gives it the change to melt and refreeze into cracks, widening up little cracks in your pavement. You don't have to see the cracks in order for them to destroy your pavement. Tiny cracks can easily spread and expand due to melting snow that expands inside of the crack.
Be Careful with Your Deicing Products
Be careful with the products that you use to melt the ice on your driveway. You don't want to overdo it or you could end up eroding your pavement.
Use deicing products that are designed for your type of driveway surface. For example, rock salt is actually not good for large paved surfaces because it can dry out the concrete and cause it to chip. The best deicing product for a large concrete driveway is calcium chloride.
When you apply the deicing product, only apply a small amount at a time. You don't want to overdo it, even when the product is designed for your driveway type. Start with a small amount and use more as necessary. To learn more, contact a paving contractor.
Protect your driveway this winter by sealing it up before winter really arrives, getting snow off your driveway as quickly as possible, and being smart with the deicing products that you use on your driveway.