How to Prepare Your Driveway for Snow

It’s that time of year again where snow is in the forecast, and you’re preparing to take care of your driveway. The last thing you want to do is shovel it when it snows, so here are some tips on preparing your driveway for snow.

Clear any leaves or debris from the edge of the drive before winter hits

Clearing debris and stray leaves from the edge of your driveway can help prevent ice buildup by keeping water drainage clear.

Check for any cracks.

You want to make sure there are no cracks in your driveway, especially if you have an older one. Cracks can cause water drainage to get stuck, leaving behind icy patches on your drive when it snows. Also, there may be cracks that are hidden under leaves or debris.

Apply a sealant if there are any cracks

Use a sealant to fill any cracks or gaps in your driveway. This will prevent water from getting trapped and turning into ice during the winter months.

Make sure there are no drainage issues.

Check for any drainage issues. If there are any puddles or water buildup, you’ll want to get rid of them before it snows again. Setting up a drainage system for your driveway if you don’t already have one may be necessary.

Use ice melt on the edge of your drive and in any puddles or water buildups.

When it snows, melting snow will gather along the edges of your driveway and around where there is standing water. Apply an ice melter to these spots when it’s not snowing so that they can work their magic before winter arrives.

Cover any exposed pipes or cables

If you have exposed piping, make sure it’s covered before the snowfalls. If not, there is a chance that your pipe will freeze, and this could lead to an expensive repair bill in springtime.

Also, if there are any underground cables running from house to house, those should be protected as well so they don’t get damaged with frostbite.

Spread good quality ice rock salt before it snows

Spreading salt before it snows will save you time and energy when it’s time to shovel. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, so that means if you have a thin layer on your driveway before it snows, there will be less ice build-up once the snow starts falling.

Inspect your tools

Make sure you have the right equipment to remove all of the snow from your driveway. You’ll want a good-quality shovel and salt or sand for traction if it snows heavily. Also having an icicle scraper and de-icer will help get rid of those annoying icicles after winter has passed.

Level up the driveway

You don’t want to have sunken depressions or high points in your driveway when it snows. Make sure it is level so that water will drain properly and not pool up around the edges of your drive.

Remove snow regularly

Do not wait until the snow piles up. Shovel it off regularly so that you won’t have to spend a lot of time and energy later on. Shoveling snow is very straining, so take it in small chunks when possible.

Hopefully, these tips will help you prepare your driveway for snow and make it a little easier to handle when winter comes around.

Remember you can always use our ice melts and de-icers to help remove snow and ice from your driveway. We have a wide range of ice melts to choose from. our products will work well on both concrete and asphalt driveways. Visit our product page here and get to learn more about what we can offer you.