About Me

Signs Of A Faulty Septic System

I thought I had a septic problem when my toilet and sink wasn't draining properly. This suspicion was confirmed when sewer water started backing up in my bathtub. I figured that this was a job for a professional, so I called a local sewer service company. Sure enough, my septic tank was full and this was causing the problem. After having my tank pumped out, my drains run freely and my toilet flushes better than it has in a long time. My name is Wesley Hammond and the experience that I had with my septic system is the reason that I'm writing this blog. Since sewage backup in the house is very unhealthy, everyone should be aware of the signs of a faulty septic system. As you read these articles, you'll learn about the different types of septic system problems and how you can keep them from happening.

Tags

Latest Posts

Search

Signs Of A Faulty Septic System

2 Ways To Protect Your Apshalt Driveway From Damage During The Winter

by Jacob Reed

According to Pavement Interactive, winter weather conditions are known for causing damage to surfaces made of asphalt. If you have an asphalt driveway at your home, you may need to take some steps to prevent the cold weather and snow from damaging it. There are numerous ways you can protect your driveway and here are two tips to help you with this.

Keep It Maintained

Performing normal maintenance on your driveway each year is the first step to take for preventing major damage during the winter months. There are several factors that cause damage to asphalt, and the first factor involves the freeze and thaw cycles that naturally occur during winter.

In the wintertime, the weather can change from day to day. These changes cause the driveway to freeze and then thaw and the cycle can repeat many times throughout just one winter. One of the problems this causes is water seeping into the asphalt, and this can happen anytime the weather warms up enough to melt the snow.

When water gets inside asphalt, it can wash away the soil under it. As this happens, the asphalt can sink or form holes in it. You can stop this from happening by keeping your driveway sealed. Asphalt sealing is a common service offered by paving contractors, and it is something you may want to do every two to three years.

The sealant material used on asphalt driveways covers the entire surface. This seals the asphalt, which makes it water-resistant. Sealing your driveway is the best way to keep it maintained; however, you may also want to:

  • Sweep or blow it off several times a year
  • Power wash it once a year
  • Clean it with a mild cleaning solution yearly
  • Repair any small holes or cracks you find in it

Asphalt driveways are costly, but with the right maintenance yours could last for 30 years or longer.  

Use Proper Procedures for Snow Removal

When it snows outside, you may want to remove the snow right away. This is a good idea because leaving the snow on the driveway creates a higher risk that damage will occur; however, it is important to know the correct methods for removing snow.

Shovels and Snow Blowers

Using a snow shovel to remove the snow is a safe method. A snow shovel cannot damage the driveway at all, but it may take a long time to do this if you have a long driveway. Using a snow blower is also a safe method to use for this.

If the snow melts and forms puddles on your driveway, push the water off with a large floor broom because standing water will damage the surface. When the weather warms up, you may want to fix any areas on your driveway that typically collect water puddles.

Chemicals

There are many types of chemicals that are designed to remove ice and snow from surfaces. The problem with this is that many of these can actually harm an asphalt driveway. Rock salt is the most common type of product used to melt ice; however, placing salt on your driveway could damage it. Salt tends to build up and may cause deterioration to the asphalt, and it can also be harmful to animals.

Experts recommend purchasing salt that contains magnesium chloride because this type tends to be slightly safer than the other options. You should also use the salt sparingly and try to remove most of the snow with a shovel.

If you provide the proper care for your asphalt driveway, it will last a lot longer. If your driveway already has damage and you need a new driveway or repair services on your existing driveway, call a paving contractor today.

Share