Minnesota is often prone to some hazardous weather conditions, and as such, that cycle of weather can end up doing damage to a lot of buildings, pavements, and parking lots.

For property owners and owners of businesses who are responsible for the safety of the pavements pedestrians walk on, it’s imperative that you are proactive with repair work. Not only that, but it’s productive to put in preventative measures so you can avoid problems from escalating, including potential accidents.

Pre-winter asphalt crack repair and pavement preparation are therefore essential when it comes to improving those surfaces ahead of the colder months to avoid cracks from forming.

The importance of pavement repairs and preparation before winter in Minnesota

The efforts of pre-winter pavement maintenance in Minnesota are certainly essential when it comes to preventing minor cracks that would otherwise become costly, large-scale failures. There are a number of efforts to be made when it comes to fall pavement preparation, and many reasons why it’s important to be proactive, rather than reactive.

Combating the freeze-thaw cycle

Minnesota’s extreme weather temperatures mean the freeze-thaw cycle becomes the primary culprit of cracks and potholes in paving surfaces. Cracks are caused when water is trapped in the cracks. During the winter temperatures, water freezes and expands, breaking the asphalt and creating potholes.

Preventing water infiltration

Sealing cracks and repairing potholes helps to prevent snowmelt and ice from entering the base layer of the pavement. 

Safety and maintenance

By properly repairing surfaces, you reduce ice-related hazards and prevent vehicles like snowplows from catching on damaged pavement edges, making the problems worse.

Cost savings

Proactive maintenance and repairs conducted in the fall will help to extend the lifespan of a paved surface and reduce the cost you spend on repairing it. Overall, that helps to protect your investment for the long-term.

Top pre-winter tips to check off for your Minnesota property 

Whether you own a restaurant or a retail store, some top pre-winter tips are worth checking off for your Minnesota property.

Crack sealing

Applying a hot crack sealant stops water from penetrating the sub-base. That, in turn, stops the cracks from breaking into potholes and escalating to wider and deeper holes that cause damage and tripping hazards. This should be done as regularly as possible and ideally before the winter months hit to get ahead of any rainfall where water seeps into the cracks.

Pothole patching

Repairing potholes helps to stop them from expanding during the winter. It’s important to try to do these immediately, rather than waiting, which will inevitably cause the potholes to get worse. Potholes are something you want to avoid, so that’s why being proactive with crack sealing is the best first step to take.

Drainage inspection

Ensure proper drainage, as this prevents standing water from forming, which then freezes into dangerous and damaging ice. That’s why it’s important to do regular inspections to identify where there might be new drainage issues that have formed since the last time you checked. Gutters should always be clear of debris to prevent standing water from occurring.

Cleaning/clearing

Removing debris and dirt helps to keep the surface in optimal condition for the winter months. You should have looked at clearing debris regularly, or at least as often as the debris tends to build up. This should be managed via a cleaning schedule with any outdoor maintenance teams.

How Metro Paving’s services protect parking lots and pavements

When it comes to protecting your parking lots and pavements, a proactive attitude is a much better one than a reactive approach. Reactive approaches to the management of pavements will result in more costly repairs.

Metro Paving is one of the best asphalt and concrete companies for effective management of your pavements. We’ll help ensure your pavements are repaired and prepared for the winter months. Our preventative services help to protect your pavements from freeze-thaw damage, which can lead to accidents and trips of pedestrians.

By getting regular maintenance and repair work on your pavements, you save money on your investment, and as such, your pavements will last a lot longer. As a business owner or commercial premise, saving money is imperative. Metro Paving offers asphalt paving, preventive maintenance services, and crack sealing.