A year of driveway maintenance, in order.

Spring — inspect and repair

Walk the driveway once the snow is gone and look for what changed over winter: new cracks, potholes, areas that flex underfoot, pavers that have lifted, and where water now sits after rain.

This is the month to fill cracks and patch potholes. Damage caught in April is a few hundred dollars; the same damage in October is another winter of water in the base.

On interlock, check whether joint sand has dropped and whether any edge has spread.

Summer — clean, seal, and plan

Wash the surface. On asphalt, degrease any oil spots — oil dissolves bitumen and leaves a soft patch that eventually becomes a hole.

If the driveway is due, seal it — three to four years since the last coat, and at least six to twelve months since installation.

On interlock, re-joint if the sand has dropped. Use a wide low-pressure fan if you pressure wash, because a narrow jet strips polymeric sand out in seconds.

This is also when to get quotes for larger work, so it can be scheduled for the early-fall window.

Autumn — the most important month

Fill every crack before the freeze-thaw season. This is the highest-return single action in the entire calendar, because it decides how much water spends the winter inside your base.

Clear leaves and debris, especially from interlock joints and any drainage. Wet leaves left over winter stain pavers and hold moisture against the surface.

Mark the driveway edges with stakes before the first snow so a plough does not catch them.

Check that downspouts still discharge away from the driveway and the foundation.

Winter — clear early, salt lightly

Clear snow before traffic compacts it, which reduces how much de-icer you need at all.

Use a rubber-edged blade on interlock. Avoid sand on permeable pavers.

If ice keeps forming in the same spot, note it. That spot has a drainage problem and it will need addressing in spring.