Although curb appeal is important to all homeowners, sometimes, exterior home maintenance in the wintertime can seem like an impossible task. Keeping up with shoveling snow, regularly de-icing surfaces, and other tasks can be overwhelming. If you break big things, such as maintaining your driveway, down into smaller tasks, however, they suddenly seem much less daunting.Check out these five steps you can take to keep your driveway in good repair all winter long, from the professionals at Lola’s Landscape!
Remove debris immediately
When you notice debris in your driveway, you should get rid of it right away. There are a couple of reasons for this. Paper, such as newspapers and retail advertisements, can clog snow blowers and cause people to slip if they are not removed. Twigs and branches, on the other hand, are also fall hazards and can damage vehicles if they accidentally get run over.
Use ice melt products sparingly
While you might be tempted to use ice melt products on your driveway frequently, it is best to use them as sparingly as possible. Salt-based solutions, in particular, can have adverse effects on asphalt driveways. If you want to avoid pockmarks and crumbling on the surface of your driveway, make sure you buy a calcium chloride-based product if you have to use one.
Have your garage door inspected
Your garage door plays an important role in whether or not you can effectively use your driveway during the winter months. If it malfunctions, you are unlikely to be able to use your garage and might have to leave your family’s vehicles sitting on your driveway for the entire season. This extra weight can actually cause the asphalt to shift and crack. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have your garage door inspected at the end of autumn.
Shovel before driving
Driving over snow can pack it down, which makes it much harder to remove. If you have to scrape snow with your shovel to clear it, you run the risk of damaging your driveway in the process. Thus, it is always smart to shovel your drive prior to driving on any snow that has fallen on it.
Have necessary repairs completed
In some cases, homeowners find themselves tempted to put off driveway repairs. It is, however, wise to have any necessary repairs done before winter weather arrives. The longer problems, such as cracks, are allowed to persist, the more expensive it will ultimately be to have them fixed.
The very best way to keep your driveway in exceptional condition in cold weather is to hire a professional snow removal team to handle maintenance for you. An expert crew will know what tools and chemicals are safest for your driveway and will efficiently remove any snow and ice. For snow and ice removal around the Franklin, MA area & beyond, contact Lola’s Landscape today!