It’s just a fact of paving life in Minnesota: the freeze-thaw effect will cause issues like cracks, potholes, and uneven patches. Whether it’s made with concrete or asphalt, the pavement will eventually break down due to the natural effect of fluctuating temperatures. It’s easy to see that effect in the Twin Cities area thanks to our four-season climate and high-traffic population. Even though this winter hasn’t resulted in a lot of snow, we’ll see similar damage once spring rolls around.
Overall, how quickly the freeze-thaw takes effect does depend on many different situations. For instance, pavement that is sealcoated regularly will stand a better chance than pavement that didn’t receive the treatment. The reason behind this is sealcoating literally seals up small cracks in pavement and helps to lessen water infiltration into pavement. If water can’t get into the cracks and then expand when it freezes, the pavement won’t get broken apart. Staying on top of sealcoating each fall significantly extends the life of pavement.
If we continue to see a minimal-snow winter, then there won’t be as much damage left from plows and salt treatments. However, when temps rise during the daytime and fall below freezing at night, the pavement will still go through daily expansion and contraction. This process alone takes a toll of pavement.
If your parking lot is ready for a facelift, give us a call to get on our schedule this spring. We can test the soil, mix a special asphalt finish, and use a sealcoating to help you get the most out of your pavement. Our off-season ends in April, so schedule your job now!