Driveway drainage issues can become harder to spot in winter, but if you pay attention, you’ll note the signs. Some drainage issues make themselves known during the winter in ways that can affect the concrete’s surface – and in ways that could be dangerous to your health. Here are some of the signs that there is a drainage issue with your driveway!
Ice Forming On Your Driveway
The most obvious sign of a drainage problem with your concrete driveway is the most hazardous: ice. When standing water forms during the day – if the driveway’s surface is black, this can happen a lot in the winter sun – they’ll freeze as the temperatures drop at night. The resulting ice can look almost invisible, resulting in falls and accidents.
If you can’t have the driveway drainage issues repaired during the winter, pay attention to these puddling patches and make sure to use a mix of ice melt and sand for traction. Select a deicing product that won’t harm the concrete or sealer, such as Calcium Chloride.
Clogged Trench Drains
One typical solution to driveway drainage issues is the trench drain. Many concrete drives use these to redirect water away from a building and towards a storm sewer or proper drainage area. However, winter can present some unique seasonal issues.
In winter, all the ice and snow can clog grated trench drains, causing them to overflow and resulting in even more water puddling on your driveway. If you’re having trouble clearing out the trench drain, the solution is simple: pour hot salt water down it to melt the obstruction. If there are bigger pieces of ice, this hot water will weaken it and allow you to break it up more easily.
Expanding Cracks
Water that gets into any holes or cracks in your driveway can freeze during the winter months and expand to make these holes and cracks larger. Because unsealed concrete is porous, water from rain or snow can seep into the surface; when it freezes and thaws, it expands and contracts. The cycles of expansion and contraction over the fall and winter cause the concrete to spall and crack.
The solution for this is to apply the proper layer of sealant when your driveway is clear of ice and snow. Using a sealant on your driveway can protect the concrete from cracks, extending the life of your driveway and letting it keep its appearance.
Drainage Issues Around Your Property
Depending on the slope of your driveway, melting water can get under your garage, on your lawn, and even inside your home. Any stormwater run-off that can collect near a foundation or on your lawn can increase the risk of flooding to your property. It’s important to have proper landscape grading around both your driveway and the foundation so that water does not flow towards them when the snow melts.
If you have concrete drainage issues, contact the team at Fiorino Concrete Ltd. We can help you assess and correct any problems that are affecting your driveway and home!
The post Spotting Driveway Drainage Issues In Winter appeared first on Fiorino Concrete Ltd.
Recent Comments