Blankets of snow are covering the neighborhood. And while very beautiful, this powdery white substance can wreak havoc on your asphalt driveway. Asphalt is naturally porous, which means that it absorbs water from the environment. Eventually causing cracks and other problems, shortening the lifespan of your driveway. To help you safely remove snow from your driveway, we’ve but together this list of smart tips.
Say No To Metal Shovels
Metal shovels can damage your asphalt driveway just as much as snow. Opt instead for a lightweight plastic shovel. You also need to shovel early and often in order to prevent the snow or ice from building up on the asphalt. To use, hold the shovel at a shallow angle to ensure that your driveway is not damaged by the shoveling action.
Use De-icer Selectively
Deicers can be hard on asphalt, so you should generally try to avoid using them. But if you must use a deicer, avoid rock salt. On top of losing effectiveness when temperatures are lower than 15 degrees F, rock salt is known to be toxic and damaging to asphalt. Magnesium Chloride is a wonderful alternative or Calcium Magnesium Acetate, both of which withstand lower temperatures than rock salt.
Hire a Snow Blowing Service
If you don’t have time to shovel your driveway and keep up with snowfall, contact a winter snow removal service. A snow blower is a safe way to remove snow and ice from your driveway, provided that the skid shoes or skid plates are adjusted to a position about ¼ of an inch above the top of the driveway. Make sure you hire a reputable winter removal service to ensure that your driveway will be treated with care.
Winter can be the hardest time for your driveway as well as you as a homeowner. Watch for signs of asphalt failure, and be sure to keep up with your maintenance to avoid costly damages in the future. At Epic Paving, we’re happy to answer homeowner questions about how to maintain their asphalt in winter and at other times of the year. Call us today to find out more!
