How to winterize your driveway in 6 easy steps, including filling cracks and preparing for snow with the right products

As winter approaches, winterizing your driveway for the cold weather is essential to maintain its longevity and safety.

While winter may be a wonderful time of the year, with fresh snow and festivities, the freezing temperatures can be dangerous, even mere feet from your home. Therefore, it’s important that you know how to protect your driveway when winterizing a house.

It's a straightforward process that involves a few key steps and methods to ensure it can withstand harsh conditions for when the cold weather arrives, as detailed by our home improvement pros.

How to winterize your drive in 6 easy steps 

1. Cleaning and removing debris

Before you do anything else, home improvement expert Tommy Mello suggests you start by thoroughly cleaning your driveway – an outdoor cleaning task to have on your radar from fall.

Leaves, branches, and dirt may be trapped in moisture, which will crack the driveway as temperatures drop. You can do this effectively with a pressure washer or a stiff-bristle broom.

‘Deep cleaning calls for the Sun Joe SPX3000 Pressure Washer from Amazon,’ says Tommy. ‘It's cost-effective and perfect for cleaning outdoors.’

It's important to note how often to pressure wash your driveway, which experts say as minimum should be once a year. If you've had an oil spill, learn how to remove oil stains from your driveway and avoid slipping accidents.

2. Check for cracks and seal them

Small cracks become big problems when water gets in and freezes, jacking the gaps wide open. To help combat this, check your driveway for any existing cracks and seal them before winter. Just apply some cold-poured crack filler to seal the imperfections.

For small to medium cracks, use latex-based crack filler such as Bluestar Flexible Asphalt Crack Filler from Walmart. It’s easy to use, and especially formulated for extreme climates.

3. Seal the driveway for protection

Now that your driveway is repaired, sealing it will be the next step in its protection from winter's freeze-thaw cycle. A good-quality driveway sealant can add a protective layer against water, oil, and salt, which can eat away at the surface.

According to John Mazzuca, home builder and mason at Gambrick Construction, you should use coal tar-based sealers such as Jetcoat 8-Year Ultra Driveway Resurfacer from Amazon, rated 4.6/5 stars by shoppers for asphalt driveways. ‘These give far more protection from the elements and last much longer than acrylic-based ones, protecting your driveway for longer,’ says John.

4. Install driveway markers

Winter snow can blur the edges of your driveway, and it's a challenge to plow or blow snow without damaging your drive. Placing reflective driveway markers such as Hy-Ko Heavy-Duty Driveway Markers from Fastener Line along its edges will help guide snowplows or snow blowers around it, avoiding scraping or cracking of the driveway.

Fiberglass markers are the best option as they are lightweight but rugged enough to stand up to heavy snowfalls.

5. Apply the appropriate de-icing products

Even though salt is normally used for melting snow and ice, it is terribly corrosive to concrete and asphalt driveways. Instead, use deicers based on calcium magnesium acetate or potassium chloride, both of which are a bit less toxic to plants and less corrosive than regular salt.

The deicers based on beet juice are less corrosive and perform very well at – 5° Fahrenheit temperature. It does not have harmful effects on drives and plants, making it more eco-friendly and causes less destruction when de-icing your paths and patios too .

The Safe Paw Ice Melter from Amazon, rated 4.5/5 by consumers, is a safe, salt-free solution that works well, does not damage your driveway and is also safe for pets to work on.

6. Preparation for removing snow

Regular maintenance during winter is key to keeping your driveway in good shape. ‘I think it’s important to be mindful of how you remove snow,’ says Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Oldcastle APG. ‘Use a snowblower with rubber blades, like the Snow Joe SJ615E from Home Depot, to avoid scratching your driveway.

If you prefer using a shovel when removing snow from a driveway, choose one with a plastic edge instead of metal to prevent damage to the surface such as the Snow Dominator from Amazon. Joe also suggests applying a thin layer of sand or kitty litter for traction if the surface becomes icy.

FAQs

What time of year is best to seal a driveway?

The optimum time for sealing your driveway, in preparation for winter is spring through fall. When the temperature is above 55॰ Fahrenheit, the warmth helps the sealant bond to your driveway.

Be sure to check the weather forecast for the following days after you’ve applied the sealant, as any rain will wash away your efforts.

Meet the experts

Tommy Mello

Tommy Mello is an entrepreneur, a home service/DIY expert, and the founder of A1 Garage Door Service, a leader in the home service industry. Founded in 2007, A1 Garage Door Service has grown to be a leader in the home-service industry.

John Mazzuca

John Mazzuca is a custom home designer and builder at Gambrick with over 20 years experience in the construction industry. John has designed, built and/or remodeled hundreds of homes, small buildings, and commercial projects.

Joe Raboine

Joe Raboine is vice president of design at Oldcastle APG, part of one of the largest global networks of manufacturers in the architectural products industry.

Aside from this step-by-step guide, there are alternate methods to achieve the same result. For instance, some homeowners opt for professional sealant applications, which can last longer but are more costly. Additionally, heated driveways are an excellent long-term solution for those in areas with heavy snowfall, eliminating the need for de-icing products and snow removal altogether.

Whether you’re filling cracks and sealing your driveway or opting for alternative methods like heated systems, the key is to start early and stay consistent with maintenance throughout the winter months.

Save yourself a headache and learn about the home maintenance mistakes to never make in winter.