-
Phone: 07551 735252
-
Email: info@koalalandscapes.co.uk
Driveways in Coulsdon | Proactive Maintenance for Driveways in Colder Seasons
When the colder seasons approach, it becomes more important to focus on the maintenance and upkeeping of driveways in Coulsdon. While it can sometimes be challenging to find the motivation for working on your driveway when the temperatures fall, a little discomfort helps to stop the surfaces of installations from falling into disrepair.
A lack of maintenance can lead to higher restoration costs.
This blog post explains how property owners in Coulsdon can maintain driveways. Although you most likely won’t have the skills needed to repair damage that is already there, there are plenty of maintenance tasks that can be undertaken even during the colder winter months.
Removing Water
The autumn and winter months see a marked change in the weather. The driving rain, or melted ice, can cause water to pool on driveways. If this water isn’t removed, it can go through multiple freezing and thawing cycles. The stress caused when newer layers of ice begin to build can damage continuous surfaces or impact the gaps in paving.
Water can also encourage the growth of weeds.
To clear driveways in Coulsdon of water, sweep it away using a firm brush and into a surrounding area, like gravel, that is permeable.
Clearing Snow and Ice
As specified above, pooled water can lead to icy conditions but cold weather can also leave ice behind after overnight frost or snowfall. In addition to causing cracks in driveways, ice can scratch surfaces as it rubs against them. More importantly, if you need to walk on a driveway to exit a property, there is the added risk of slipping.
A bad slip or fall could easily result in personal injury.
Clear loose snow or ice with a shovel, taking care not to damage the surface while doing so. Rock salt can also be used to clear snow or ice, and it can also stop surfaces in Coulsdon from refreezing.
Uplifting Weeds
With continued exposure to moisture and because they are hardy, some weeds can grow well into the winter. This impacts the gaps between pavers if driveways in Coulsdon are laid with block paving, or with a medium such as natural stone. Keep in mind that lichen also builds up in damper conditions and, like ice, can create a slipping risk.
Even in winter, try to remove weeds from driveways if you can.
Remember to wrap up warm, and to tackle weed removals during a dryer period of weather. Some weeds will remain dormant and won’t start to show until the spring. Those that can be seen during winter are best removed by hand, or with tools that won’t damage driveway surfaces.
Driveway Maintenance Specialists
Some homeowners in Coulsdon feel more comfortable maintaining their driveways in winter than others. At Koala Landscapes, we recommend that you only undertake maintenance work in the winter if you are fit and able to do so, and are aware of each of the risks involved. If there is any risk to yourself at all, we ask that you be careful.
If you can’t maintain a driveway yourself during winter but can see the potential for damage, call in our landscaping team for help.
Koala Landscapes maintains driveways in Coulsdon during all seasons of the year and can also restore installations in disrepair. There is no substitute for regular maintenance to preserve longevity but, when damage is worsening, we can assist you on a responsive basis.
