As the days get shorter and the wind seems to pick up a bit more every day, there’s no mistaking it: winter is on its way in. The season always marks periods of worse weather, which can wreak havoc on your entire property, but especially on your asphalt driveway. Snow, ice and all kinds of moisture can start chipping away at these surfaces, so it’s best to understand some tips for preparing asphalt for winter in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Fortunately, protecting your driveway or parking lot doesn’t have to be a huge professional job—there’s a lot you can accomplish all on your own.

Fill in cracks and sealcoat

One of the best tips for preparing asphalt for winter in Saratoga Springs, NY is to operate on the assumption that moisture and water are really going to harm your surface. Water will essentially never be on your side, so you need to learn how to manage it accordingly if you want to maintain your asphalt’s integrity. It can easily seep into cracks, where it freezes, expands and creates even larger cracks and eventually potholes.

With this in mind, you should buy some driveway filler and patch up any cracks you see in the fall. It’s also not a bad idea to sealcoat, but you’ll need an average nightly temperature of at least 50 degrees or higher, so that might need to wait until spring.

Clear snow regularly

Snow eventually becomes liquid water as it melts, so you should treat it as something else that can easily harm your driveway or parking lot. Keeping snow to a minimum means limiting water so it can no longer seep into the spaces in your asphalt and create bigger problems. It’s best to shovel or use a snow blower, too—plows are efficient and easy, but they can easily snag on the small imperfections every driveway has. These little bumps and ridges along the surface can rip up when hit by a plow and create gaps in the integrity of the asphalt.

Be careful with deicing products

Deicers come in all different varieties these days, and the temptation to use them is understandable. They can make short work of snow and ice on walkways and driveways alike, but it’s important to remember the full effects of using these chemicals. The runoff can seep into waterways, where it can have serious repercussions for animals and humans alike—for example, drinking water can easily be contaminated.

For this reason, a top tip for preparing asphalt for winter in Saratoga Springs, NY is to use a mixture of sand and salt for the best traction and stability. Too much deicer is going to be counterproductive—you’re probably doing more harm than good.

Understanding how to prevent cracks in asphalt throughout winter in Saratoga Springs, NY comes down to basic maintenance and DIY steps. If your surface has fallen into disrepair, Asphalt Industries, LLC can handle everything from minor repairs to complete asphalt paving services. Call us today to learn more or schedule an appointment!