How Winter Can Damage Your Driveway

It’s finally that time of year! Winter is coming to a close and spring is just around the corner. The warm weather will be a nice change, but in the early weeks of spring snowmelt can pose large problems for your driveway.

The changing temperatures between winter and spring can cause snow to melt and then refreeze. When temperatures are high, snowmelt can seep into driveway cracks and then freeze when temperatures dip. The freezing water will expand in the cracks and cause further damage to the driveway. This can start as a small problem, but if left unchecked, could grow into a much larger issue over the next few years that would eventually require the installation of a new driveway. Winter damage like this can significantly diminish the lifespan of your pavement, but if properly cared for and sealed, you can protect your driveway from the elements.

Just like frost heaves can affect your landscape and foundation, they can also affect your driveway. Frost heaves develop when groundwater freezes just below surface level. The weight of the soil doesn’t allow the ice to expand upward and as water continues to freeze the ice will expand horizontally until it buckles. Once the ice buckles, the ice forces its way upward towards the surface and brings the pavement with it. The pavement becomes distorted or cracked as a result of a frost heave. With this problem, a new driveway is almost always necessary because of the potholes that will form throughout your driveway.

The best way to prevent costly damage to your driveway is to be proactive and repair even the minor cracks whenever they appear. Are you noticing new cracks in your driveway? Want to have a new driveway installed or refinish an existing driveway? Check our database of contractors who specialize in driveway installation and repair to get started.