From asphalt driveways to asphalt parking lots, winter weather can wreak havoc on paved surfaces. When asphalt maintenance has been neglected, the damage can be even worse. Below, we’ll explain some common ways winter weather destroys your asphalt. Then, we’ll offer some pavement maintenance tips you can use to prepare and protect your asphalt from cold weather.
Cold Weather Risks to Your Asphalt Parking Lot, Road, or Driveway
If you live in a climate with significant temperature changes, like Salt Lake City, asphalt maintenance is imperative to preventing asphalt damage during the winter.
As snow and ice melt during the day, water can seep into cracks or holes in the asphalt surface. At night, when the temperature drops, that water freezes. When water freezes, it expands. The pressure of the expanding ice creates new holes and cracks and makes existing damage much worse.
When you combine that melting and freezing cycle with lots of vehicle traffic, especially from heavy trucks, the result can destroy an entire parking lot or road in a single winter.
Regular asphalt pavement maintenance can protect your asphalt from additional damage and prevent the current damage from spreading. Asphalt maintenance consists mainly of keeping the asphalt sealed and intact. Preventing asphalt from damage in the first place will be easier than repairing it.
Most reliable pavement contractors will also offer pavement maintenance service, asphalt repair, or both. For example, we offer asphalt paving and pavement maintenance at Morgan Pavement.
If you want to start preparing your asphalt for winter yourself before calling for asphalt service, use the following tips.
Stay ahead of colder temps with these five asphalt maintenance tips.
Use these top five tips to get your asphalt ready for freezing winter temperatures and prevent damage that cold weather can cause.
Clear debris from your asphalt and sweep it clean.
The first step in preparing your pavement for winter is removing debris from the asphalt. Gather up all the fallen leaves and branches. Sweep away dirt and dust to give your asphalt a nice clean surface.
As you clean the asphalt, take note of any areas that already have damage.
Repair potholes and any other damage to your asphalt.
If you see potholes or broken pieces in your asphalt pavement, get them filled or repaired by pavement professionals.
Don’t try to fill the potholes yourself. While you may be able to cover the visible hole, asphalt maintenance professionals have the tools and expertise to do more. They can ensure the asphalt filling is sufficiently supported and compacted to prevent future collapse. They can also treat the repaired area with a waterproof sealcoat to prevent water and ice from breaking the area again.
Seal cracks in the asphalt.
Along with filling in potholes, asphalt maintenance professionals can repair cracks in the asphalt. They’ll fill them with a crack seal product calibrated for the climate. For example, at Morgan Pavement, we provide asphalt maintenance from Idaho and Montana to Nevada and Arizona. We use a crack seal that works at high mountain altitudes and in desert climates.
Re-sealcoat your asphalt surface.
After you repair the potholes, cracks, and any other wear and tear your asphalt has sustained, give it a fresh seal to prevent further damage. A reliable sealcoat on your asphalt’s surface creates a water-resistant layer that prevents moisture from seeping into the pavement. Keeping the water out protects your asphalt from the pressure of expanding ice as it freezes overnight.
If your pavement is new or doesn’t show signs of heavy wear and tear, you may not require a seal coat every winter.
Watch out for water pooling on your asphalt.
Stay on top of snow and ice all winter long. Watch for spots where water pools during the day. At night those pools can become ice patches. Ice is dangerous to people and vehicles that use the paved surface. It also causes a great deal of damage sustained by asphalt.
If you notice water pooling on your asphalt. You likely have a low spot or another drainage issue. If the problem persists, get help from a pavement maintenance service like Morgan Pavement. We can patch and or re-plane the asphalt surface to help with the drainage and prevent water from pooling and threatening your pavement.
When in doubt, contact the asphalt maintenance pros at Morgan Pavement.
As you can see, a lot goes into keeping your asphalt in tip-top shape all year round. Get help from the pavement pros you can trust, Morgan Pavement. We offer Salt Lake City asphalt maintenance and pavement service across the Intermountain West.
Contact Morgan Pavement about an asphalt maintenance service plan today. Or, get a bid on your asphalt or paving project.
