Long Island winters may not bring the extreme cold of upstate New York, but the frequent cycling between freezing and thawing temperatures is uniquely destructive to driveways. A typical winter in Smithtown, Kings Park, or Stony Brook can see temperatures cross the 32-degree threshold dozens of times between December and March. Each cycle allows water to enter cracks and pores, freeze, expand, and break the surface apart from within. Combined with deicing chemicals and snow plow wear, winter is the harshest season your driveway will face. Here is how to minimize the damage.
Understanding Freeze-Thaw Damage
When water freezes, it expands by approximately 9%. That may sound small, but the force it generates inside cracks, pores, and joint spaces is powerful enough to fracture concrete, split asphalt, and shift pavers. On Long Island, the problem is amplified by the frequency of freeze-thaw events. A single hard freeze followed by a thaw is manageable. Twenty or thirty cycles in a single winter, which is typical here, compounds the damage exponentially. Every existing crack becomes a pathway for water, and every freeze widens it further.
Pre-Winter Preparation
The best time to protect your driveway from winter is before winter arrives. Ideally, these preparation steps should be completed by late November.
- Fill all visible cracks in asphalt with appropriate crack filler so water cannot enter during freeze-thaw cycles
- Sealcoat asphalt driveways if they have not been sealed in the past two to three years
- Check paver joints and add polymeric sand where it has eroded, then compact and mist to activate
- Clear debris from driveway edges and drainage channels so meltwater can flow freely
- Inspect for and correct any low spots where water pools, as these will be the first areas to deteriorate
Choosing the Right Deicer
Not all deicers are created equal, and the wrong product can cause more damage than the ice itself. Rock salt (sodium chloride) is the most common and least expensive option, but it is also the harshest on driveway surfaces. It can accelerate the deterioration of asphalt binder and contribute to paver surface spalling. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride are gentler alternatives that work at lower temperatures and require less product per application. They cost more per bag but cause significantly less damage over the course of a winter.
Deicer Comparison
- Rock salt (sodium chloride): Cheapest option. Effective to about 15 degrees F. Harsh on asphalt and concrete surfaces.
- Calcium chloride: Works to minus 25 degrees F. Gentler on surfaces. Costs roughly twice as much as rock salt.
- Magnesium chloride: Works to about 5 degrees F. Least corrosive option. Safe for pavers and concrete.
- Potassium chloride: Least effective but most environmentally friendly. Only works above 25 degrees F.
Snow Removal Best Practices
How you remove snow matters as much as the snow itself. Metal snow plow blades can scrape, gouge, and chip driveway surfaces, especially when the blade catches an edge or a raised paver. Rubber-edged plows and polyurethane blades are far gentler and still effective. When shoveling, use a plastic shovel rather than a metal one, and push snow rather than scraping against the surface. For paver driveways, keep the shovel or plow blade set slightly above the surface to avoid catching individual pavers and popping them out of place.
Protecting Asphalt Driveways in Winter
Asphalt driveways in Smithtown, Kings Park, St. James, and the surrounding areas face specific winter risks. The asphalt binder becomes more brittle in cold temperatures, making it more susceptible to cracking under load. Avoid parking heavy vehicles in the same spot for extended periods during extreme cold. If your driveway was recently paved within the last year, be especially careful with deicers during the first winter, as the surface has not fully hardened. Keep snow cleared promptly so meltwater does not pool and refreeze in low spots.
Protecting Paver Driveways in Winter
Paver driveways handle freeze-thaw cycling better than poured concrete because the joints between pavers allow for slight movement without cracking. However, pavers are still vulnerable to surface spalling if exposed to harsh deicers and to joint sand loss from repeated plowing and runoff. Use magnesium chloride or calcium chloride instead of rock salt. Apply deicer sparingly and only when needed. After the winter season, inspect joints and replenish polymeric sand where it has washed out. Recompact any pavers that have shifted or settled during the freeze-thaw season.
Spring Recovery After Winter
Once temperatures stabilize in spring, inspect your entire driveway for winter damage. Look for new cracks, potholes, heaving, settled areas, and loose pavers. Address these issues promptly before they worsen during spring rains. Schedule crack filling and sealcoating for asphalt driveways, and refill paver joints with polymeric sand. Early spring is also the time to clean any deicer residue from the surface, as leftover salt can continue to damage the material if left in place.
We Help Long Island Driveways Survive Winter
Whether your driveway needs pre-winter preparation, spring repair, or a complete replacement after years of accumulated damage, Brothers Paving & Masonry is here to help. We serve homeowners throughout Smithtown, Kings Park, St. James, Stony Brook, and all of Suffolk County. Contact us for a free evaluation and let us help you protect your driveway investment through every Long Island winter.