How to protect your driveway during winter

Protecting your driveway during the winter months is essential to prevent damage from snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Carrying out regular maintenance can help to improve its safety and lifespan as well as its appearance. Read on to find out how to protect your driveway during winter. 

6 winter maintenance tips for your driveway

Once winter sets in, it’s important to pay close attention to your driveway. Although resin driveways are generally weather-resistant and can withstand a variety of weather conditions, including rain, sun, and temperature fluctuations, they become more vulnerable during winter. Some maintenance will be required to keep your driveway in good shape in the face of snow and ice. 

Clear snow

Keeping your driveway clear of snow is essential for preventing moisture from seeping into cracks and causing damage. Use a snow shovel or snow blower to remove snow promptly after a snowfall. When shovelling snow manually, we recommend using a plastic shovel with a flat blade. Metal shovels can scratch the surface, causing lasting damage. You should also avoid using excessive force when shovelling snow from your driveway. 

Use protective mats 

Using protective mats on your resin driveway during the winter can be a good idea, especially if you want to minimise the impact of winter weather on its surface. Snow mats or fabric tarps can be placed on your driveway before a snowstorm in order to make snow removal easier and eliminate the risk of snow shovels damaging the resin. 

Carry out de-icing 

De-icing your driveway can help to keep it safe and prevent slips and falls from occurring. However, it’s important to choose the right type of de-icer and use it correctly to avoid damaging the surface. Avoid using rock salt when de-icing your driveway and opt for calcium chloride or magnesium chloride instead. These types of de-icer are less harmful to resin as well as concrete and asphalt. 

Apply de-icing products to your driveway sparingly, and only where needed to melt ice. Avoid excessive application, as this can lead to de-icer residue accumulating on the surface.

Apply protective coatings 

Many people choose to add protective coatings to resin driveways during the winter months. These include a resin sealer, which provides a protective barrier against moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and winter weather. Resin sealers can help maintain the appearance and longevity of the surface. Other options include polyurethane sealant, epoxy coatings, and acrylic sealers. 

When applying a protective coating to your resin driveway for winter, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Proper surface preparation is required, including cleaning and drying the driveway, to ensure the coating adheres effectively. 

Ensure proper drainage 

Ensuring that your resin driveway has proper drainage is particularly important during the winter months. Drainage helps to prevent water from pooling or collecting in low-lying areas. Without it, ice can begin to form, with freeze-thaw cycles potentially causing damage to the surface. Proper drainage, combined with regular maintenance and care, can extend the lifespan of your resin driveway and help it withstand the challenges of winter weather.

Perform repairs promptly 

If you notice any cracks, chips, potholes or other damaged areas on your driveway, you’ll need to repair them as soon as possible, ideally before the winter season begins. This will prevent them from worsening due to freeze-thaw cycles. You may be able to carry out some minor repairs yourself, however, larger jobs will be best left to the professionals. This will ensure the work is carried out properly to the highest standards. 

Resin driveways in Rotherham 

At Resin Mixed Stone, we have been installing resin driveways in Rotherham and the surrounding areas for several years. Our team have decades of experience at hand, ensuring we have the skills and expertise needed to install driveways of all shapes and sizes to the highest possible standards. As well as being extremely visually appealing, our resin driveways are very durable and hardwearing. You can expect your new driveway to stay looking and performing its best long into the future, even in the face of extreme winter weather conditions.   

For advice on protecting your driveway during winter, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We can provide expert guidance on how to care for your new driveway all year round. 

Resin driveway installation in winter

Although installing a resin driveway in winter is possible, it can be challenging due to the lower temperatures and high levels of moisture. Rain, dew, or any other type of ground moisture can be a danger to resin. Moisture can react with it, creating gas bubbles that appear as clouding or foam within the resin. 

Cold temperatures can have an impact too, affecting curing times considerably. When temperatures are at their lowest, it will take longer to cure. A catalyst may need to be added to the mix to achieve adequate cure rates. So, whilst it’s certainly possible to install a resin driveway in winter, precautions will need to be taken to achieve a high-quality finish. 

The good news is that Resin Mixed Stone, we regularly lay resin driveways during the winter months. We know the best methods for installing resin driveways at this time of year, ensuring exceptional results even when temperatures are at their coldest. 

Contact us

If you’re still wondering how to protect your resin driveway during winter, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re on hand to provide you with expert advice on caring for your driveway during the coldest months of the year. Call us on 01709 645 051 to speak to one of our team. Alternatively, you can send us a message using the contact form on our website and we will get back to you right away.