How to Prepare Asphalt Pavement for winter and Snow
When those cold temperatures dip further, they can impact the asphalt surface negatively. Thus, one needs to as how they can protect and maintain their asphalt pavement and surface during the winters. Property managers and homeowners carry a lot of queries about asphalt maintenance during the long cold seasons. Many are too late in their preparation and come into action when the damage has been done. If you have an asphalt parking lot, driveway or pavement surface, you need to carry all the rig information so as to safeguard your asphalt pavement during the cold months and have it functioning at the optimum.
How does the cold impact the asphalt surface?
It is those the harsh cold temperatures and the freeze-thaw cycles that go on taking place continuously all winter long that cause the actual damage to the asphalt pavement. When the snow melts, the asphalt surfaces experiences a cooling and pooling effect, and it can play with the integrity of the surface. Moreover, when the water freezes, it expands and any water collected in the potholes, creates an internal pressure that exerts and outward force and lead to cracks. Thus, the end results are cracks on the asphalt surface and damage.
Although asphalt bears up p very well during the winters, it still needs care and maintenance. Asphalt carries more flexibility than concrete to survive cold and frost. As a homeowner or owners if the property, one must know that it is essential to make use of hot-mix asphalt in colder climates and regions. The special formula has been designed to withstand freezing and thawing cycles specifically, and the asphalt surface is sure to outlast the winter.
What can be done to protect the asphalt surface during winters?
Although asphalt is flexible enough to withstand the damage, it is best to give it complete and timely support. Before the winters arrive, make sure to give an annual seal coating to the surface. Your top priority should be crack filling. A good way is to make use of patching to fill all those minor and major cracks before the cold weather sets in. This will prevent any pooling and lodging of water inside the pavement. Do not ignore those cracks as they can make the asphalt pavement vulnerable to damage because of frost and ice. The surface should have the right slope for proper draining of water and make sure that the drain is not clogged
As asphalt is unaffected by salt, one can make use of ice melt and salt on asphalt pavement, and this is why asphalt remains one of the most common paving materials. It is best to avoid using any abrasives like sand on asphalt, and most companies recommend using a soft ice melt. If you are wondering whether to use a snow plow on asphalt, it is best to use one with a plastic edge and avoid those with metal blades.
Asphalt pavements in parking lots and driveways have been designed to last. However, they need regular care and maintenance and especially during the cold weather.
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