Two storms in one week. Your driveway just took a beating.

The January 19th storm dropped 20 centimetres of heavy, wet snow across Halifax. Now another 25 to 35 centimetres is piling on top of it. This is the kind of one-two punch that destroys driveways.

Here’s what happens: the first storm saturates every crack and crevice with moisture. Then it freezes. Then the second storm buries it under more weight and more water. Water expands by about 9% when it freezes, exerting thousands of pounds of pressure inside those cracks. The asphalt splits open a little more each cycle.

According to Blacktop Asphalt Paving, back-to-back storms like this cause more damage in a single week than most driveways see all winter. The wet, heavy snow from that first storm was especially brutal. It didn’t just sit on the surface. It worked its way into every weak point.

What to look for once the snow clears

Cracks that weren’t visible in December may now be obvious. Pay attention to areas where ice keeps forming in the same spot. That usually means water isn’t draining properly and is pooling underneath. Check the edges of your driveway for crumbling or separation from the surface. Walk the length of it and notice any sections that feel soft or spongy underfoot.

These aren’t cosmetic issues. They’re signs that water is getting where it shouldn’t, and every freeze-thaw cycle between now and April will make it worse.

Why this matters now

Most homeowners don’t think about their driveway until spring. By then, minor cracks have become major repairs. Blacktop sees it every year: damage that could have been caught in January turns into full resurfacing by May.

Winter is actually the best time to assess what’s going on. The snow and ice reveal problems that stay hidden during warmer months. And getting a quote now means you’re not competing with everyone else once paving season starts.

Back-to-back winter storms can reveal problems that are easy to miss during calmer weather. If this week’s conditions expose recurring ice, widening cracks, or uneven areas on your driveway, it may be worth taking a closer look before spring arrives. Blacktop Asphalt Paving works with homeowners to assess winter-related wear and help plan long-term solutions based on real conditions, not guesswork.