The weather has certainly taken a turn for the worst over the last couple of weeks, which means time is running out to get your driveway ready for the winter months before it is too late.

Here are our tips on how to look after your outdoor space before the colder season, so it is in good condition once spring arrives again.

 

• Check for cracks

 

The first thing to do is go over your driveway with a fine toothcomb, looking meticulously for any signs of cracks. While you might assume you would have spotted cracks in the floor had they been noticeable, it is important you do not miss any.

One good idea is to take photos of the ground in several areas and then do so again in a few weeks to see if there is any difference between the images, and if any cracks have appeared since the first snapshots.

 

• Seal cracks

Should you find any cracks, it is essential you seal these before they get worse, no matter how small they appear to be. If the winter sees snow and ice, these can leak through the cracks when they thaw. However, if the temperature then plummets and they freeze again, the water will expand when it turns to ice, causing the crack to get bigger.

Similarly, heavy rainfall is a typical feature of British winters, and rainwater can leak into the cracks and potentially turn to ice if the weather gets colder. By not fixing small cracks as they appear, you run the risk of these becoming much bigger problems in the long-run, and may even mean you need a whole new driveway in Cheshire fitted if too much damage is caused.

 

• Check drainage

As well as checking for cracks, make sure you ascertain how effective the drainage on your driveway is too. See whether water clears up after a while or if they are not well drained and left to create pools on the ground.

Small puddles might not seem like a problem, but these can turn into big pools after heavy rainstorms, leading to damage to the surface of the driveway.

 

• Clear weeds, leaves and twigs

With the weather getting colder, many homeowners might enjoy not having to spend their weekends tending to the garden. However, one last job to do before you can put your gardening tools away for the winter is to clear any weeds from the drive.

They might not thrive in the harsh wintry conditions; however, having weeds in the ground can cause damage to the flooring unless they are removed.

Similarly, it is wise to sweep up fallen leaves and twigs as much as you can. This may seem like a futile task during the autumn when leaves appear to fall faster than you can sweep them up, but it is worthwhile, as the debris begins to rot if they are left on the ground. In months to come, this will turn to mulch and could end up staining the drive for good.

You might want to powerwash your path to really make sure any debris is removed, including oil and grit, as these can speed up deterioration of the ground unnecessarily.

 

• Remove pots and furniture

Before locking your shed up for the winter months, make sure you put any plant pots and garden furniture inside too. Not only will this prevent them being blown around by heavy winds, which could be dangerous to passersby and cause damage to the house, but wind, rain and snow are all likely to make them deteriorate over time.

Those who do not have enough space to fit their furniture and pots in their shed or garage should try to cover them with plastic at least, weighing this down if possible.

 

• Clear ice immediately

When snow does fall over the winter, it is wise to get out of the warmth of your house and clear it off the drive as soon as possible. While fresh-fallen snow might look pretty, it can do lots of damage to the path once if becomes slushy or turns into ice.

Therefore, it is sensible to get an ice shovel and scrape it off the driveway immediately to limit the amount of water that will seep into the ground once the snow melts.

 

• Choose a durable paving

Of course, if you discover your driveway is not in the best condition, it is a good idea to replace it before the cold season causes serious damage to it, rendering it unusable.

When choosing a new type of paving, opt for one that is durable and of high quality. It is worth purchasing a long-lasting material, such as block paving, as this is better equipped to deal with harsh weather conditions, and therefore, is likely to survive a greater number of winters to come.