What should I be checking on my driveway each spring and fall to catch problems early before they get expensive?

A twice-yearly driveway inspection is one of the smartest things Ottawa homeowners can do to avoid expensive repairs. Our winters are brutally hard on driveways — with frost penetrating over a metre deep, 200cm of snowfall, and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles, damage accumulates every single year. Catching problems when they're small saves you thousands compared to waiting until failure is obvious.

Spring Inspection (April to Early May)

Spring is when winter damage reveals itself. Wait until the snow is fully melted and the ground has started to dry — usually mid-April in most of Ottawa, though properties in shaded areas of Stittsville and Carp may take longer.

• Check for new cracks. Walk the entire driveway and note any cracks that weren't there last fall. In asphalt, cracks wider than 3mm should be sealed before the next winter. Small cracks that go through one freeze-thaw cycle without repair can double or triple in size
• Look for heaving or settlement. Stand at one end and look down the length of the driveway. Any new bumps or dips indicate frost heave or base failure underneath. Minor heaving often settles back on its own by June, but persistent unevenness signals a drainage problem
• Inspect the edges. Driveway edges are the most vulnerable area, especially in Nepean and Orleans neighbourhoods where driveways meet grass. Look for crumbling, erosion, or chunks that snowplows may have caught
• Check drainage. After a rain, watch where water flows. Puddles that sit for more than an hour indicate low spots or grading issues. Standing water accelerates deterioration in every driveway material
• Examine interlock joints. If you have interlock pavers, check whether polymeric sand has washed out of the joints. Empty joints let pavers shift, and weeds colonize quickly in Ottawa's warm spring weather

The fall check is about preparing your driveway to survive the coming winter. Do this before the first frost, which typically hits Ottawa in mid-to-late October.

• Seal any cracks found. This is the single most important fall task. Water that enters cracks will freeze, expand, and destroy the surrounding material over winter. Crack filler costs $10 to $25 per tube and takes 30 minutes for most driveways
• Clear vegetation. Remove any weeds or grass growing through cracks or along edges. Roots widen cracks and create entry points for water. In Ottawa's fall, this is also the time to clear leaf accumulation, which traps moisture against the surface
• Check sealcoat condition. If your asphalt was sealcoated, look for grey, faded areas where the sealcoat has worn through. These exposed areas will absorb more water over winter. If more than 30% of the surface shows wear, it's time to resealcoat before winter
• Verify grading away from the garage. Ensure water flows away from your garage door, not toward it. Settling over the summer can change drainage patterns. Even a minor reverse grade will channel snowmelt into your garage all winter

Take a few photos during each inspection and keep them on your phone. Comparing year-over-year helps you spot gradual deterioration before it becomes critical. A crack that grows 50% in one winter is telling you there's a base issue that resurfacing alone won't fix.

If your spring or fall inspection reveals issues beyond simple crack filling, connect with a contractor through Ottawa Driveways to get a professional assessment before winter sets in.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• JC Carpentry
• MAK Construction and Development Inc
• Diamond renovations
• The Granite shop