Preparing Your Asphalt Driveway for Winter

Minnesota’s winters can be notoriously harsh. Fortunately, asphalt is uniquely suited to extreme temperature changes. An asphalt driveway can stand up to freeze and thaw cycles for many seasons. If your driveway is in good shape, it will provide a watertight surface protecting the pavement underneath.

At J&W Asphalt serving St. Paul and Minneapolis, we can help you get your driveway in top shape for the coming winter season. Follow this handy guide to prepare your asphalt driveway for winter.

Check for Asphalt Pavement Cracks

Your asphalt driveway needs to be free of cracks at the beginning of the winter season. Even minor cracks can easily expand and become much bigger problems. As the winter takes us through freeze and thaw cycles, water will run into these cracks. When the water freezes again, these cracks will expand. Our asphalt pavement contractors can use infrared repair to nip these minor cracks in the bud before they lead to more serious issues.

Repair Sunken Apron and Potholes

Often, your driveway may require more significant repairs. If your driveway has a sunken apron or potholes, frozen water in those can cause very serious damage that may result in your driveway needing to be completely replaced. However, our team of residential asphalt paving contractors can use infrared repair to reuse existing asphalt and completely repair the damage, offering a seamless fix. If your driveway has any significant damage, you definitely need to get these problems repaired before the cold weather hits.

Damaged asphalt can cause serious problems:

● Structural integrity

● Drainage problems

● Raveling and cracking

● Vehicle damage

Additional Considerations

One way you can help your driveway stay in top shape is by keeping it clean and free of ice and snow as much as possible. Keep your driveway clear of debris such as leaves, rocks, and dirt, which can gather even more ice when the freeze hits. You also want to avoid using harsh chemicals on your driveway that can damage its surface. Consider taking a photo of your driveway before the first big freeze happens so that you have a basis for comparison once the cold season is over to determine what repairs you may need.

Minnesota Residential Asphalt Paving Contractors

At J&W Asphalt in Minnesota, we are a family business with solid experience in asphalt driveway repair. Whether your driveway needs minor cracks or serious potholes repaired, our infrared technology can get your pavement looking sharp again and keep it in top shape to withstand Minnesota’s cold winters. If your driveway has more significant damage, we also offer dig out and replacement service. To get your driveway in shape for winter, give us a call at 952.894.9078, or contact us online to find out more about how we can help.

Posted @ 2/25/2019 1:33 PM by Dean Phillips

I thought it was it was interesting how the article talked about how your asphalt driveway needs to be free of cracks at the beginning of the winter because even minor cracks can easily expand and become bigger. My brother has been looking for someone to replace the asphalt on his driveway because whenever he backs out or pulls in he notices a significant dip in his car due to the number of cracks in it. It seems like he would benefit from hiring a professional company to repair it before the winter comes and makes the cracks worse. https://www.northernasphaltllc.com/asphalt-repair.html

Posted @ 4/16/2019 7:52 PM by Gillian Babcock

My dad noticed that there are a lot of cracks in our driveway and he wants to have it repaired right away. It was explained here that he should always check for the asphalt cracks at the beginning of the season. Moreover, it's recommended to hire professionals for quality asphalt paving services. http://www.mariottisitedevelopment.com/paving-n-resurfacing

Posted @ 4/16/2019 7:52 PM by Gillian Babcock

Posted @ 6/20/2019 7:31 AM by Ken Harris

Thank you for this information. A lot of homeowners don’t realize how rough winter is on asphalt and do nothing to prepare the surface for cold weather. Great info, thanks!

Posted @ 8/7/2019 11:13 AM by Laurel Larsen

It was interesting to learn that asphalt stands up to freeze and thaw cycles really well. My husband and I have been thinking about repaving our driveway. I'll have to let him know that we should consider getting an asphalt one instead of concrete. http://www.phend-brown.com/Asphalt.html

Posted @ 9/16/2019 3:53 AM by Angela Waterford

Last week, my daughter tripped and fell on the driveway because it had a huge crack wide enough for her toes to fit in. I never knew that my driveway has to be free of cracks when winter season comes in, so reading this might be a sign that I should fill in those cracks as soon as possible. If I were to choose, I think I'll try to do this myself, so I might buy a good filler from a good store. http://www.specialtysupply.com/products/asphalt_maintenance/?ProductID=70

Posted @ 10/9/2019 4:36 AM by fay

I never knew that damaged asphalt can cause drainage problems. The other night my husband mentioned that we should pave our driveway before winter. It is a good idea, so we will make sure we look into this. https://www.antonycementadelaide.com.au/paving

Posted @ 10/9/2019 2:04 PM by Vivian Black

I never thought about checking the pavement for cracks to make sure no problems arise. My husband and I haven't had our driveway repaved in a few years, and it is definitely time. These tips will be useful in helping us maintain and prepare our driveway in the future after finding a professional to repave our asphalt driveway. https://www.andersonasphalt.com/asphalt-repair

Posted @ 10/18/2019 5:35 AM by Dylan Peterson

I like what you said about checking your asphalt for cracks. My brother wants to make sure that his driveway is ready for winter. I'll share this information with him for his consideration.

Posted @ 10/23/2019 3:33 AM by Kate Welling

You said that our driveway should be free of cracks. This is great to know, especially since I want to get an asphalt driveway. Currently, mine is rocky. https://www.meggetto.com.au/driveways

Posted @ 11/19/2019 1:58 AM by Tammie Houston

My brother noticed that there are lots of cracks and potholes in our driveway, and he wants to fix it immediately before it turns out to huge damage. I appreciate you pointing out that minor cracks need to be settled right away as it can easily expand and become a much bigger problem that can cause possible vehicular damage. Moreover, it is highly recommended to hire a blacktop contractor for an asphalt paving project. https://www.arrowblacktop.com/services.html

Posted @ 12/6/2019 2:42 AM by Eli Richardson

Thanks for stating to maintain the snow and ice off the driveway to increase its lifespan. My brother wants to protect his new driveway this winter. I'll advise him hiring someone to seal coat it fort better protection.
https://www.aaaasphaltpaving.com/seal-coating

Posted @ 1/14/2020 9:17 AM by Jenna Hunter

My sister has noticed that there are some cracks in her driveway and she has seen the kids picking at it. She would love to get a professional to repair her asphalt so that it won't be more damaged in the spring. I'll be sure to tell her that if she leaves them it can cause damage to her car, cause structural damage, and drainage problems. https://www.aoneasphalt.com.au/repairs-and-maintenance.

Posted @ 1/24/2020 12:29 AM by Shaylee Packer

You mention that the asphalt driveway can handle the extreme temperatures better then concrete. Is concrete just less expensive, because you don't see many asphalt driveways out there. I live in a place where it can be freezing one day, and warmer the next. Should I look into replacing my concrete driveway with an asphalt one?

Posted @ 2/10/2020 9:00 AM by Charlotte Fleet

Thank you for explaining that it is important for your driveway to not have any cracks during the winter since they can become larger throughout the cold season. My husband mentioned that he noticed some cracks in our asphalt driveway. I think we should look into having a professional with experience in asphalt resurfacing see if they can help our situation at all.
https://brisbanewaterbitumen.com.au/services/asphalt-hot-mix/

Posted @ 3/23/2020 7:01 PM by Keith

This can help a lot. Now that asphalt paving owners can know how to prepare for the winter.

Also check this website all about asphalt paving. https://www.asphaltpavingftw.com

Posted @ 6/7/2020 5:16 PM by Alicia

You made a good point about water running into cracks and expanding them when the water freeze during winter. My husband told me that the parking lot that he parks his car has cracks. I would imagine that the parking lot owner needs to have the asphalt paving repaired before winter to make sure that the cracks don't grow bigger. https://bryerasphaltservices.com/asphalt-paving

Posted @ 6/7/2020 5:16 PM by Alicia

Posted @ 6/16/2020 5:03 AM by Franklin White

Thanks for the explaining how your asphalt needs to be free of cracks before the winter starts. I moved into a new house and it has an asphalt driveway. It is cracked already so I'll have it repaired before I the winter starts this year.
https://www.pinnaclepaving.com/commercial/asphalt/

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