6 Tips to Help You Prepare your Driveway for Winter

Winter can be hard on your driveway. Cold temperatures can make many surfacing materials brittle and snow and ice can create and enlarge cracks and holes. But there are plenty of things you can do to avoid these problems. Try these 6 tips to prepare your driveway for winter.

1. Keep it clean and free from moss

How to get rid of moss on driveway? And can you jet wash driveways in winter? Are a couple of the questions that we often get asked. One of the best things you can do to prepare your driveway for winter is keep it clean. In fact, this is something that’s worth doing the whole year round. Regularly removing leaves, mud and other debris from your driveway will stop it getting slippery or developing plant growth that could cause damage. Removing the buildup of moss using a jet wash rather than chemicals is a great way to get rid of moss on driveway naturally. Cleaning you driveway can be done by hand but many people prefer to get a local driveway cleaning specialist in so that the work can be completed to the highest standards and ensure it’s looking great for spring

Driveway cleaning

2. Make sure it has adequate drainage

Another thing to check on as the months get colder is your driveway’s drainage. Make sure that water doesn’t run down your drive or collect on it. If you do have water on your driveway, in a cold spell it can turn to ice and expand, creating or enlarging cracks or holes. Take a look at our article on driveway drainage to find out more.

3. Seal it

Sealing is an excellent way to prepare your asphalt or concrete driveway for winter. Sealing is usually done approximately once every two years, so take the time to check when it was last done. Sealants coat your driveway in a protective layer, filling in holes and reducing damage from heavy traffic. Sealing your driveway makes it more resistance to stains and oil spills.

Drive way cleaning

4. Be prepared to remove ice and snow

While you’ve got time, make sure you’ve got the equipment and space you need to remove ice and snow if it turns up on your driveway. To stop melting and refreezing snow and ice damaging your driveway, you’ll need to remove it as soon as you can. A sturdy shovel should do the trick, but make sure it’s a size and weight you can cope with, especially when it’s loaded up with heavy snow.

5. Avoid chemicals

Although it might be tempting, avoid stocking up on de-icing chemicals in the build-up to winter. Although these will effectively remove snow and ice from your drive, they’ll also damage it. Instead, once you’ve removed snow and ice with a shovel, try laying down sand to increase traction.

6. Do your repair work now

If you’ve got any gaping holes or cracks in your driveway, winter weather and temperatures will only make them worse. Plus, you could damage your vehicle if you go down any potholes when they’re hidden by the snow. Repairing your driveway before it gets really cold could prevent further damage and save you money in the long run.

These 6 tips should help you prepare your driveway for winter and protect it from low temperatures. For you’re looking for more advice on driveway maintenance then see our guide here. Need some professional help? Simply fill in our online form. We’ll connect you with up to 4 driveway pros in your area who’ll be able to help you with your driveway maintenance.

Evy Coe

Evy works for Quotatis as a Content Marketing Executive. She loves to write about interior design and help homeowners with their DIY projects.