Winter is just around the corner. For property managers, freeze presents a new set of challenges, especially with parking lot maintenance.
At Action Asphalt & Maintenance Inc., we provide concrete and asphalt maintenance services throughout the year in Auburn, CA. Click here to get a free estimate.
In today’s article, we talk about the importance of repairing your pavement in winter and how to go about it.
How Winters Affect Pavement Assets
Without proper maintenance and protection, harsh winters can be damaging for your commercial paving. This is especially true if you have a lot of snowfall in your city.
Both asphalt and concrete have a solid appearance. However, water can erode the surface of roads and parking lots, especially after rainfall or when the snow melts.
Moreover, water can also penetrate to the foundational layers through cracks or porous surfaces.
When water seeps inside the base and sub-base, it freezes and expands, putting pressure on the pavement from inside. This compromises your parking lot’s structural integrity, causing cracking, chipping, and other signs of deterioration.
That’s why any cracks or potholes on your paving have to be repaired before or during winters.
But this is easier said than done.
Winter Repair Challenges
Both asphalt and concrete are usually paved in warmer months. This is because hot construction material needs time to cure. If your paving isn’t fully cured, it will lack strength and durability and will soon give in to regular wear and tear.
Along with using the proper materials, performing repairs during winters require snow removal, hoarding, controlling traffic flow, and a host of other challenges.
That is why it is best to perform asphalt maintenance during the fall. That said, repairs are sometimes required in the dead of winter, and you cannot ignore them.
Asphalt Solutions For Winter
If you have damaged areas on your asphalt surface in winter, there are two main ways to go about it:
1. Cold Patching
Asphalt contractors use cold-mix asphalt in winters to cover cracks and potholes as it doesn’t require heating for flexibility. Cold asphalt patches are effective solutions for short-term and emergency repairs.
2. Infrared Patching
If the weather is above zero degrees, asphalt contractors may also use infrared patching
machinery to heat and soften the surface for repair work.
Concrete Solutions For Winter
If you absolutely must repair concrete during winters, consider the following solutions:
1. Use Anti-freeze Products
Using liquid products on cement is a risk during winter because of the freeze. Antifreeze products, on the other hand, help lower the freezing point. You can also go for self-leveling concrete solutions.
2. Try Heating Blankets
Heating blankets prepare the surface for repairs by thawing snow and ice. These blankets also reduce curing time.
These are some effective solutions to repair and patch your pavement assets in colder temperatures. With the right tools and techniques, you can help your parking lot survive the winter.
It’s best to leave winter repairs to professionals. Property managers in Auburn, CA, can always reach out to Action Asphalt & Maintenance Inc. for seasonal repair work. Click here for an estimate.
