What to Look for on Your Driveway After Winter: A Spring Inspection Guide

Every spring in London, Ontario reveals the same thing: driveways and parking lots that took a beating over the winter. Some of it is surface-level and easy to address. Some of it is more serious. Knowing the difference — and acting early — can save you real money before small issues become expensive repairs.

Here's a straightforward walkthrough of what to look for once the snow clears.

Walk the Full Surface First

Before you zero in on anything specific, take a slow walk across your entire driveway or lot. Look at the full picture. Pay attention to areas where you know water tends to pool, edges near the lawn, any spots where snow sat the longest, and areas that see the most traffic. You're looking for patterns as much as individual defects.

Common Signs of Winter Damage

New or widened cracks — Cracks are the most common result of freeze-thaw cycles. A crack that was hairline-thin in October may be significantly wider in March. Look at whether the crack runs with the surface or goes across it. Transverse cracks (across the width) often indicate settling or base movement and deserve closer attention.

Spalling or surface flaking — If you see patches where the top layer of asphalt or concrete seems to be breaking apart or peeling, that's spalling. In concrete it often looks like the surface is crumbling or pitting. In asphalt it may look like the aggregate is coming loose. Both need attention before more moisture gets in.

Edge crumbling or heaving — The edges of a driveway — especially where asphalt meets lawn or gravel — take a lot of stress from frost heave and from snow plow blades passing over them. Look for sections where the edge has dropped, cracked, or crumbled inward.

Drainage problems — After a heavy spring rain, stand at the end of your driveway and watch where the water goes. If it's pooling in the middle of the surface rather than draining to the sides or toward the street, you may have a settling issue or a spot where the grade has shifted over winter.

Soft spots in asphalt — Soft or spongy areas in asphalt — even after temperatures have warmed above freezing — can indicate base failure below the surface. These often show up as slight depressions or sections that feel unstable underfoot.

Concrete vs. Asphalt: What to Watch For

On concrete, focus on spalling, pop-outs, and expansion joint damage. The joints between concrete slabs absorb movement, but if the filler material has deteriorated or cracked, water gets in easily.

On asphalt, watch for oxidation (the surface turning gray and brittle), raveling (loose aggregate), and the state of any existing cracks. If the surface is oxidized and dry, it's more vulnerable to further cracking even as the weather warms.

What Needs Immediate Attention

Any crack wider than a quarter-inch, soft spots, or significant edge damage should be looked at by a professional before the spring rain season gets into full swing. Water is always the enemy — it accelerates every form of damage.

Lawns & Lanes does spring property assessments and handles everything from crack filling and sealing to full surface repairs. Call us at 226.234.6541 or visit lawnsandlanes.ca to get your driveway checked out before the busy season begins.