Between extreme cold, heavy snow, and corrosive salt, winter can bring a lot of potential damage to your driveway. Learn what to watch for and how you can help protect your outdoor surfaces.

Winter Driveway Damage

Winter is one of the harshest seasons for outdoor surfaces. From the weather to the products we use to combat hazardous conditions, it can take a toll on the brick, concrete, slate, and other hardscaping around our home and offices. Problems exacerbate if these areas aren’t properly maintained before the cold conditions arrive. Here are some of the ways winter can affect your driveway, sidewalks, and other paths around your property.

• Deterioration. Heavy snow adds extra weight, weakening an unprotected surface. When the snow melts, pooling leads to water damage and erosion of surface materials.
• Cracks. Using the wrong type of snow shovel or ice remover can scratch and crack the surface. Water that gets into existing cracks freezes and expands the opening.
• Spalling. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can cause the surface to flake or chip.
• Salt damage. Some de-icing materials chemically react with hard surfaces, further weakening the material.

Even though outdoor materials are made to stand up to harsh conditions, it doesn’t mean these surfaces aren’t prone to problems. You can help prevent damage with some simple maintenance techniques.

Protect Outdoor Surfaces

Before winter has a chance to damage your driveway, do a quick inspection of your outdoor surfaces. Here’s what to look for:

1. Seal any cracks with patching compounds.
2. Apply a sealant to asphalt driveways to protect it from water penetration that could lead to potholes.
3. Ensure there’s proper drainage around your driveway and walkways to prevent water from pooling in these areas.

While it’s best to maintain your surfaces before the cold weather arrives, there are still some things you can take care of in the middle of winter to help prevent damage.

1. Remove snow regularly to prevent buildup.
2. Use a plastic shovel instead of a metal one since the sharp edge can scratch and chip the surface.
3. Avoid aggressive scraping or breaking up ice.
4. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on the proper use of de-icing salts. Choose a product that’s less harsh on hard surfaces.

Keeping your outdoor surfaces clean and free of debris also helps prevent excessive damage in any season. Contact JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care to learn about our soft power washing services to maintain your driveway, walkways, and paths to keep them looking great all year.