If you have an asphalt driveway, the winter months can have a devastating effect on the pavement if it’s not properly cared for. While you can’t stop the harsh weather, you can prepare your driveway for it. Below, learn how snow and ice can affect asphalt paving and what steps you can take to minimize the damage.

How Do Snow & Ice Affect Your Driveway?

One of the biggest stressors for asphalt paving during the winter is the freeze-thaw cycle. As asphalt pavement ages, the surface coat begins to break down, which allows water to permeate through the lower layers.

When temperatures drop and the water freezes, it expands and begins pushing the pavement apart. As these cracks expand, they turn into potholes, posing a threat to vehicles and promoting further pavement degradation. Deicers can also harm the pavement, and snowplows or even shovels can cause damage if used improperly.

How Can You Protect Your Driveway?

Having any potholes or cracks repaired can stave off the progress of damage, and if your driveway isn’t up-to-date on seal coating, a new one should be put on to protect the pavement. If you’re hand-shoveling the driveway, make sure the blade is plastic and not metal.

You could also hire a professional snow removal company to ensure your asphalt paving is protected. Deicers should be used sparingly before snowfall or a freeze is predicted.

Even with the best preventative steps, your driveway may be damaged by harsh conditions this winter. If that happens, call the team at Musson Brothers in Rhinelander, WI. For over seven decades, this paving and excavation company has cleared land for construction, paved new driveways and parking lots, and helped maintain and repair asphalt paving. Learn more about their services online or call (715) 365-8700 to discuss your project.