Everyone should be familiar with the damage Ottawa’s winter season can bring to their belongings. Cars, shoes, entranceways, and other effects all fall victim to the snow season every year.
There is, however, one victim that is hardly thought about year after year – asphalt driveways.
Preparing your driveway for winter will work wonders for its protection. It will save you time, money, and your car from issues that can happen as a consequence of a poorly kept driveway.
Clean the Driveway
The first step to preparing your driveway for winter is cleaning! This old-fashioned yet reliable strategy will keep your driveway free of hazards that can crack, chip, or stain the surface. 
This requires nothing more than gloves, a broom, and a bag for the debris. Thoroughly brush the asphalt surface and make note of any imperfections. Big branches and other sizable debris should be put inside a yard bag for collection.
Don’t hesitate to spray the driveway with a hose. Giving it a proper wash will help remove dirt that has accumulated and set in.
Inspect Asphalt for Cracks
Cracks are among the most dangerous hazards for asphalt driveways. Not only are they unpleasant to look at, but they can spread and threaten the integrity of the entire driveway.
Slush, rain, and snow easily slide into these cracks and pool up and become frozen when the temperatures are appropriate. When water freezes it quickly expands. The expanding motion applies pressure to the asphalt and makes it crack even more. The cycle repeats, and before you know it, you’ve got a driveway full of cracks and potholes.
Make sure to seal your driveway before the winter season. Not sure how to do it? Hire an expert asphalt driveway repair specialist to take care of the hard work. Experts, such as Patch & Seal, are equipped with all the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to confidently repair and prepare your driveway.
Check for Unlevel Asphalt
Checking for unlevel asphalt is just as important as checking for cracks. Similarly to cracks, unlevel asphalt is indicative of trapped water and damage from ice pressure. The difference, however, is that, unlike cracks, unlevel asphalt can store much more water and therefore poses a greater threat to your driveway.
Furthermore, unlevel asphalt can allow water to seep into the ground and in some cases, your basement. Resurfacing your driveway is an excellent way to prevent risks to the health of your driveway and home.
Stock Up on Salt
The aforementioned tips on this checklist are proactive strategies that will prolong the need for driveway repair services. Salt, however, is the best reactive strategy for protecting your driveway.
Salt will melt and flush away ice from your driveway. Ice, as we mentioned, is great at destroying the integrity of your driveway. By spreading salt on a consistent basis and after freezing rain your driveway will be as happy as it can be under all that snow!
Asphalt Driveway Repair in Ottawa
Contact Patch & Seal to ensure your driveway is ready to stand the test of this year’s winter season! Patch & Seal is Ottawa’s asphalt driveway experts – we’re happy to provide the city with high-quality driveway resurfacing, repair, and sealing.