It’s the most wonderful time of the year—but not for your asphalt. No matter if we have a winter full of blizzards or pretty minimal snowfall, your pavement can still get put through the wringer. Once spring comes around, we’ll really see the damages that the cold months have done. Here are some ways that winter can damage your asphalt, along with how you can prevent it.
Cracking
In Minnesota, we’re used to ever-changing temperatures. After heavy snowfall, when the snow sits on the asphalt for a while, the water starts to seep into crevices. That water then expands and contracts as temperatures fluctuate, causing cracks to form. It’s important to remove snow from pavement as soon as possible to prevent water intrusions.
Potholes
These become more of an issue in late winter and early spring as we go through more drastic temperature changes. Potholes actually start as cracks, and the more water that gets into them will make them grow. That’s why you’ll see so many potholes in the spring once the snow has melted.
Snowplows
While snow removal is necessary, snowplows often cause damage to the asphalt. The main culprit is improper plowing, so it’s best to go with a professional rather than plow the lot yourself.
Poorly maintained pavement
You can avoid damage to your lot over the winter if your asphalt has been properly maintained and repaired before the season starts. Sealcoating, for example, seals up cracks in the asphalt, meaning less water intrusions from melting snow. After all, if the water can’t get in, the pavement won’t get broken apart during the freeze-thaw cycle. That’s why we suggest this service in the fall so that your asphalt can withstand the cold months.
Asphalt can’t be installed or repaired during the winter due to the low temperatures, which is why it’s best to get on our spring schedule now. If you’re anticipating asphalt damages from winter, you’ll be first in line to get your pavement taken care of.
Metro Paving has been repairing and constructing parking lots and driveways around the Twin Cities since 1988. Give us a call or contact us through our website to discuss your project and get on our schedule.