Tips for Keeping Your Driveway Clear During the Winter

When winter hits and the snow falls in heaps, keeping your driveway clear of the snow and ice can be a headache, not to mention a backache as you bend over to clear the snow. However, it doesn’t have to be a constant pain. You can help prevent major snow buildup and difficult plowing conditions by taking a few simple steps. Before the Snow If it hasn’t snowed yet, make sure you take a minute to prep your driveway for the snow. You’ll want to clear away any large rocks, leaves, and sticks that will make it more difficult to shovel the snow when it comes. Put away summer tools, supplies, and yard decorations that might impede the shoveling process. Also, clear a place to pile the snow you’ll shovel off your driveway. Use De-Icer If you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, you definitely don’t want to use rock salt. It will remove the ice, but it is likely to take pieces of your driveway with it. Instead, go for chemical de-icers, sand, or even kitty litter to keep the ice away. Keep your de-icer of choice nearby so that any time you clear the snow away, you can throw down some more. Strategically Deposit Snow When the snow melts, the last thing you want is for your snow to trickle onto your driveway where it can seep into the asphalt and cause frost heaves and cracking. To prevent this, deposit your snow where it can trickle away from your driveway to the gutter when it melts. You’ll also want to spread out the snow piles so that they don’t get too big and take a long time to melt. Shovel Smart Snow shoveling is a very common cause of back injuries, which can be avoided if you are simply smart when you shovel. Stretch before you begin and avoid using your back muscles to push and lift the snow. Direct the main lifting and pushing power to your legs. If you have a bad back, you shouldn’t shovel at all. You might want to pay someone else to do it for you or get a snow blower. Get the Right Snow Blower A snow blower is a great, easy option for keeping your driveway clear. If you get a snow blower, make sure you get one with rubber blades rather than steel. The steel blades can cause scratching and rutting in the surface of the driveway, which will cause even more problems down the road. If you have a good snow blower and use it often, it can make a big difference in the condition of your driveway when the snow melts. Snow and ice can cause major havoc in your asphalt driveway. To make sure that your asphalt is in good condition for the winter, you might want to call us today for an assessment and any mid-winter maintenance.