How to Prepare Your Asphalt for the Winter

 With the winter following on the heels of fall, there are plenty of things that are more fun to think about than scheduling a residential driveway sealcoating service for your Montgomery County, PA home. However, the seasonal change is a great time to think about what maintenance you need to do around your house to ensure it has a long life, including your driveway. There are many ways to maintain asphalt, but the best ways to prepare it for the winter include:

Repairing Potholes and Cracks

Damaged asphalt can create a real problem for you if you let it sit through the winter. If your driveway has potholes or cracks – even small ones – then you’re creating a situation where you’ll need to make significant repairs to your driveway when the spring comes. You want to repair potholes and cracks before the winter because they can cause significant damage to vehicles, and they will only get worse with more moisture. As water freezes, it expands, which will lead to the cracks widening throughout the winter.

Check Your Drainage System

Similar to repairing cracks and potholes, you also want to make sure your driveway has a drainage system that’s clear and functional. No matter what condition your asphalt is in, the reality is that water can erode asphalt regardless of where it is. In the winter, rain and melting snow that doesn’t have anywhere to drain off can lead to the water remaining on the driveway’s surface for a significant time. With winter temperatures often reaching below the freezing point, the slightest bit of standing water can lead to dangerous ice patches and shave off years of utility from your driveway.

Stock Up on Maintenance Supplies

The winter weather is sure to bring moisture that could cause complications to your asphalt, and the quicker you address any snow or ice, the fewer problems you will run into. Even if it’s as simple as having enough salt on hand before a snowstorm or making sure you have the right snow shovel, there are plenty of things you can do on your own to prevent any issues associated with this time of year. During the winter season, we cannot perform any sealcoating jobs due to the low temperatures and inopportune conditions. If you are looking for more tips on preparing your driveway for the winter, or if you want a quote for Spring 2021 for any residential asphalt sealcoating in Delaware County, PA, you can still call Superior Seal Coating today!