Installing and paving asphalt are just a few of the services we provide. We also provide other repair and maintenance items like, crack filling, asphalt repair, asphalt sealer, and line striping. Fall is repair season, and that means it is time to get your lots ready for the harsh weather ahead! We have curated a guide with the best practices for preparing your parking lots, as well as some tips on how to manage them through the season.
Asphalt Repairs & Remedies To Do Before Winter –
- Pothole Patching – Potholes only get worse in winter, therefore by not repairing them ahead of time will only cause the size of the damage to increase
- Crack Filling – Water penetration to the base of the asphalt and snow accumulation means for increased moisture exposure causing expansion and further cracking
- Sealcoating – Protection layer to help prevent water penetration and preserve the asphalt
- Line Striping – Clear lines are important before snowfall to ensure better visibility and safety on your lots
How Snow Effects Your Lots –
Water is the most damaging element to asphalt. With piling snow, comes increased moisture laying on your asphalt for extended periods. When water seeps into small cracks and potholes, the moisture breaks the bond between the asphalt and aggregate. This speeds up the deterioration process of asphalt. These damages are often not visible from the surface.
How Ice Effects Asphalt Driveway & Parking Lots –
Temperature fluctuations can wreck havoc on your asphalt. As the freeze-thaw cycle begins, the ground undergoes major shifts that expand and contract the subsurface.
The how:
- Water gets trapped and turns to ice causing expansion to the asphalt surface
- When the temperatures rises again, the contraction of the ground causes the pavement to rest back down, in most cases, unevenly
- Pavement begins cracking due to this occurrence known as frost heaving
- This also leads to potholes
How Plows Effect Driveways & Parking Lots –
Plowing your parking lots is very important during winter. But, it can also be damaging. How exactly it affects the parking lot pavement is determined by your professional plowing company’s precautions and techniques. Uneven surfaces and curb areas often are most prone to damage from plows. Most any type of equipment that scrapes the asphalt surface can cause distress to it. Therefore, taking precautions by using a variety of techniques that protect the asphalt is essential when discussing with your plowing company the best snow removal processes.
Choosing The Best Ice Melt –
Asphalt handles ice melt applications well. However, that doesn’t mean that all products on the market are best for asphalt. Since there are a variety of melts, including some for concrete, it is important that you select the correct one. When selecting ice melt products for asphalt, we recommend you reading our blog on ice melt. Click here to help determine the best ice melt products for your asphalt.
Asphalt Driveway Repair During Winter –
Once winter hits, the only remedy for your parking lot repairs is cold patching DURING the season. This is when gravel/asphalt material is used to fill the pothole. This is strictly a temporary fix. It is cheap and quick because it is not heated. Once spring returns, hot mix pothole patching will be necessary and/or the need for paving asphalt.
Here at EastCoat Pavement Services we excel at asphalt repair. We are here to help you to best prepare for the winter season ahead. Contact us today to set up a consultation for your custom paving maintenance plan. We can help with all of your paving asphalt needs and to prepare your lot for winter!