Will Snow Plowing Damage My Asphalt?

Anything that scrapes your driveway or parking lot can damage it. Most of the snow plow damage I've seen on asphalt is minor and doesn't need structural repair. Many scrapes and scratches look worse than they really are. The sealer can be scraped off leaving unsealed aggregate, a sealcoat application in the spring should take care of the issue. Deeper scratches can be filled with crack-filler prior to the sealer application. If the gouges are deeper than 1" and the asphalt is loose, additional repairs may be necessary. The Infrared process can be used to heat the area and work asphalt back into the surface.

Some snow removal companies use a rubber or polyurethane cutting edge on their plow blades to lessen the impact on your driveway, while others set the plow blade 1/2" above the surface to avoid damage. Both of these options can leave excess snow on the asphalt. Flat surfaces usually don't see any damage, it's uneven surfaces with high areas or sudden grade changes that are most susceptible to winter plow damage.

Keep in mind that if you are looking for a very clean surface, there is a chance your asphalt may be damaged. Unless the damage is severe, ask your sealcoating contractor to address the areas in the spring and chalk it up to Mother Nature.