Asphalt, Concrete

The harsh Canadian winter weather is not kind to your asphalt or concrete driveway. Extreme temperatures and fluctuations causes water to freeze, expand, and contract. This can cause cracks and potholes in your driveway. Besides this freeze-thaw effect, rock salt used as a deicer is corrosive and accelerates asphalt and concrete driveway deterioration.

How to Protect your Concrete or Asphalt Driveway

• Inspect your driveway for cracks before winter arrives. Hairline cracks are usually caused by the ageing of the concrete or asphalt. These should be cleaned and filled in with heated sealant. Web like fractures are usually the sign of a faulty concrete or asphalt driveway installation. These need cutting and patching the area. Interhome Construction offers asphalt and concrete driveway crack repair, resurfacing and patching. Prepare your driveway for the winter by fixing any cracks and holes to stop any further deterioration.
• After the inspection and repair you should strongly consider sealing your driveway. Driveway sealing, for both asphalt and concrete driveways, protects your driveway from corrosion by rock salt, oil drips, acid rain, etc. It also protects your driveway by reducing water penetration which in turn minimizes damage from expanding freezing water. Concrete Pros offers driveway sealing at affordable prices. You should seal your driveway every 2 to 4 years.
• Now that your driveway is repaired and sealed, maintaining it is key to prolong its life. When oil spills happen make sure to clean them up as soon as possible. Instead of rock salt, which is highly corrosive, opt for alternatives like potassium chloride or calcium chloride. Both are non acidic, safe for pets and plants. Sand and kitty litter can also be applied to give you traction on snow and ice.
• If you do use rock salt then make sure you don’t oversalt your driveway. No rock salt should be visible after the snow and ice is melted, if it is, you used too much.
• Use a plastic shovel to remove snow from your driveway. Metal snow shovels can damage your asphalt driveway, less so concrete.
• Use a hot air snow-blower to melt ice from your driveway, it is a very safe way to remove ice and snow without damaging your driveway.

If you have questions or need a quote regarding our asphalt and concrete driveway installation, sealing, repair and resurfacing, give Interhome Construction a call now: 416-836-5253