Key Takeaways
- Improper snow removal can damage asphalt through scraping, gouging, and concentrated loads, and freeze–thaw cycles do more harm where water gets into cracks
- Choose a plow edge and setup that suit the pavement, and follow the equipment manufacturer's guidance
- Removing snow early prevents compaction and bonding
- Choose and apply deicer for the pavement temperature and conditions, using only the amount needed
- Preventative maintenance before winter, especially crack sealing and drainage, reduces damage
Snow and ice are part of Connecticut winters, but improper snow removal can cause serious damage to asphalt driveways and parking lots. What seems like routine maintenance can lead to scraping, cracking, and long-term deterioration if done incorrectly.
Understanding how to safely remove snow while you protect your asphalt is essential for maintaining the life of your pavement.
Why Snow Removal Can Damage Asphalt
Asphalt is a flexible material, but during colder temperatures it becomes more brittle. This makes it more vulnerable to damage from heavy equipment, a poorly set or worn plow edge, and improper techniques.
In addition, freeze–thaw cycles allow water to enter cracks and expand, weakening the pavement and the layers beneath the surface.
Use the Right Snow Removal Equipment
Choose a Suitable Plow Edge
A steel cutting edge isn't automatically wrong for asphalt. Damage usually comes from how the plow is set up and used: a worn or damaged edge, too much down pressure, catching raised edges and cracks, or plowing pavement that is already broken up.
Use equipment adjusted for the pavement and follow the manufacturer's guidance. Steel and urethane (polyurethane) edges each have trade-offs, which plow maker BOSS describes in its cutting-edge guide. If your plowing contract or the property owner sets surface-specific restrictions, follow those.
Adjust Plow Height Properly
Set blade contact, shoes, cutting edge, and down pressure according to the plow manufacturer, the pavement's condition, and the property's requirements. Avoid catching raised edges or damaged areas.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Remove Snow
Allowing snow to compact and freeze makes removal more difficult and increases the likelihood of damage. Packed snow can bond to the surface, requiring more aggressive removal methods.
Clearing snow early and consistently is the safest approach. On larger lots, professional snow plowing on a set trigger depth keeps snow from building up between storms.
Be Careful with Deicing Materials
Deicing products can help improve safety, but every option has trade-offs for pavement, nearby concrete and metal, plants, and waterways. If you’re unsure what to use or how much to apply, check out our complete guide to salting asphalt driveways for winter maintenance strategies.
Calcium and Magnesium Chloride
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
These work at lower pavement temperatures than rock salt, which can mean less product on very cold days. They aren't automatically safer or gentler substitutes, though: they are still chlorides, and their corrosion and environmental effects depend on the material and how much is applied. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency outlines the drawbacks of each chloride product.
Use Salt in Moderation
Remove snow mechanically first, then choose a deicer for the pavement temperature and site conditions and apply the labeled amount. Avoid excess application, manage meltwater, and monitor for refreezing. Winter damage can involve moisture, loading, material condition, and thaw-weakened support; the presence of salt alone doesn't establish the cause.
Protect Edges and Weak Areas
The edges of asphalt driveways and parking lots are especially vulnerable during winter. Plows can catch edges and cause cracking or breakage.
Take extra care around:
- Driveway edges
- Transitions to sidewalks or aprons
- Areas with existing damage
Avoid Heavy Equipment on Residential Driveways
Many residential driveways are not built for heavy commercial plows or equipment. How much load a driveway can carry depends on how it was built, including the compacted thickness of the asphalt and stone base and the soils underneath. Using oversized machinery can overload a pavement that wasn't designed for it.
Be especially careful during the spring thaw. As frozen ground thaws, the base and soil can hold extra water and lose support, so a pavement that carried a load in midwinter may rut or crack under the same load in March. Use appropriately sized equipment for the surface you’re clearing.
Watch for Freeze–Thaw Damage
Winter conditions create constant expansion and contraction within asphalt. Water enters small cracks, freezes, expands, and then melts, repeating the cycle and weakening the pavement.
This is one of the main causes of the cracks and potholes that show up in spring. Our guide to winter damage on Connecticut driveways shows what to look for.
Inspect and Repair After Winter
Winter often reveals existing weaknesses in asphalt. If a pothole, broken edge, or heaved section creates a trip, vehicle, or access hazard, deal with it promptly, with a temporary fix or by marking it off, rather than waiting for spring. Once the weather warms up, inspect the whole surface for damage.
Look for:
- New cracks
- Potholes
- Surface raveling
- Drainage issues
Addressing these problems early with the right driveway repair helps prevent further deterioration.
Preventative Maintenance Before Winter
The best way to protect asphalt during winter is to prepare it ahead of time.
Sealcoating
Sealcoating is a surface treatment that can help protect a suitable asphalt surface from water, chemicals, and oxidation. It doesn't repair cracks or add structural strength, and timing depends on the pavement's condition and the sealer used. Resealing every two to three years is typical guidance, but whether it's due depends on the surface's condition and the sealer used, so follow the product label.
Crack Filling
Sealing suitable cracks before winter helps reduce water entry through the treated cracks and freezing beneath the surface.
Drainage Improvements
Ensuring proper drainage and grading reduces standing water and limits freeze–thaw damage.
Conclusion
Snow removal is necessary, but it should be done carefully to avoid damaging your asphalt. Using properly adjusted equipment, removing snow early, using deicer sparingly, and maintaining your pavement can help extend its life.
Winter conditions are tough on asphalt, but with the right approach, you can protect your driveway or parking lot and limit the repairs needed in spring.
If your driveway has taken a beating this season, contact Maisano Brothers Inc. to schedule a spring inspection and free estimate. Depending on what we find, crack sealing, repairs, and driveway sealcoating can all be part of the plan; sealcoating alone won't prevent winter damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can snow plowing damage asphalt?
Yes. A worn or poorly adjusted plow, too much down pressure, or catching edges and cracks can scrape and damage the surface.
What is the safest way to remove snow from asphalt?
Use equipment adjusted for the pavement and follow the manufacturer's guidance, remove snow early, and avoid aggressive scraping.
Does salt damage asphalt driveways?
Salt isn't generally a direct cause of asphalt damage, and its presence alone doesn't establish why pavement deteriorated; moisture, loading, material condition, and thaw-weakened support are usually involved. Excess salt can affect nearby concrete, metal, plants, and waterways, so apply only the labeled amount.
Should you shovel or plow an asphalt driveway?
Both are fine when done carefully, but avoid sharp tools that can gouge the surface.
When should I repair asphalt after winter?
Fix anything that creates an immediate safety or access hazard right away, even if it's a temporary repair. Permanent repairs are usually done in spring once temperatures rise and the full extent of the damage is visible.
How do I protect my driveway before winter?
Crack filling, good drainage, and sealcoating when the surface is due and suitable for it are the main preventative steps.
