Winter is on the horizon, and in Maryland, that means that you can expect temperatures to drop below freezing soon. When you have asphalt to maintain on your commercial property, you may wonder how this change in temperature will impact your pavement.
Heavy snowfall and other precipitation could seriously harm your asphalt. So you should make an effort to protect your pavement ahead of the winter season. You likely already know that you can see better results from installing new pavement in warmer weather. So do not wait until winter sets in to complete your paving project.
Give your local paving company a call to schedule a consultation about your paving project today. However, you do not have to ignore asphalt maintenance completely this winter. Learn more about asphalt care during the winter when you read on.
Seal Coat to Protect Your Asphalt
When you install new asphalt pavement on your property, your paving contractors will also recommend seal coating the pavement to ensure longevity and durability. This process involves applying an extra layer of protective coating on the top of the asphalt. It prevents spills and messes from seeping deep into porous asphalt and leaving stubborn stains on the pavement.
The seal coat also creates a shield against moisture that can easily penetrate the asphalt. With dropping temperatures, trapped moisture will expand as it freezes, which can create cracks and other damage to the pavement.
You might not realize that you must reapply a seal coat every three to five years. Ensure you have a fresh seal coat on your pavement before winter weather arrives and poses a threat to your asphalt.
Surface Patch Asphalt Damage During Winter
Asphalt installation works better in warmer, milder temperatures. This is because the fresh asphalt might not bind properly to the foundation while curing if it is too cold outside. So you should reserve these types of paving projects for before or after wintertime for optimal success.
However, if your pavement suffers structural damage, such as a pothole or crack, you should not ignore the issue until winter ends. Damaged pavement will be vulnerable to further moisture exposure and therefore worse harm if you leave it unrepaired. So do not dismiss even minor cracks that appear on your asphalt.
Relaying pavement might not work well in the winter, but you can fix minor asphalt damage through surface patching. This process removes a thin layer of damaged asphalt and then pours a minute amount of fresh asphalt into the resulting hole. This solution can protect the asphalt from further damage until a more permanent option becomes more viable when temperatures rise again.
In some cases, damage may prove too extensive for surface patching. Consult with a paving professional to find the right way to repair and preserve your asphalt pavement. Save time and money with expert asphalt treatment for your pavement completed with optimal equipment and training.