Winter is a tough time for asphalt, even in the South. When you have an asphalt driveway, proper care and maintenance will ensure your paving is protected no matter how severe the weather gets. Below are five tips to remember this cold season.

How to Maintain Asphalt in Winter

1. Prepare Beforehand

Before the temperatures drop and the occasional snow or ice rolls in, have a paving contractor inspect your driveway for cracks, potholes, and other damage. If your asphalt needs sealing, they’ll take care of it during the fall so the area’s protected from precipitation penetrating the surface. A sealcoating will stop any moisture from freezing and thawing inside holes, which risks widening existing imperfections.

2. Clean & Shovel Quickly

Remove debris such as leaves so they do not get oversaturated or compact on your asphalt. This also prevents their freezing into the surface.

If it snows, remove precipitation as soon as possible so it doesn’t build up and add too much weight to the driveway surface. Even if the storm persists, try to remove layers as the day goes on. 

3. Avoid Salt

Even a little ice can cause safety concerns for you and your family. Salt is a popular choice for removing snow and ice, but the substance can degrade your driveway. Also watch out for de-icers with harsh chemicals that are both toxic and rough on your paving. Your best bet is to find a product with magnesium chloride or calcium magnesium acetate.

4. Inspect Gutters

Make sure gutters aren’t clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris left over from the fall so that nothing pools on your asphalt. Angle downspouts and drains away from the house and not toward the driveway. This stops excess moisture from getting into cracks and doing damage as it expands and contracts.

For assistance with your asphalt driveway, call AAA Paving Company. The locally owned business has been the top choice for residents and commercial customers for 27 years. As a “one-stop shop,” the company is the only full-service paving contractor in the Triad area of North Carolina. The team can handle jobs large and small, including paving, sealing, repair, and striping. Call the paving company at (336) 723-1418 for an estimate or visit them online for their gallery of work.