Winter is just around the corner, so it won’t be long before we see our first snowflakes.
In Northern states, like here in Michigan, the start of winter can often be unpredictable.
That’s why prepping your asphalt for winter is crucial.
Just like you winterize a home, landscape, or vehicles, asphalt needs some prepping for the winter months too.
Clean Up Your Lots
Asphalt is a very durable surface. It can withstand a lot of punishment, but it’s not bulletproof.
What I mean is that no matter how dependable something is, if you leave it exposed to possible dangers then it could be damaged.
This is very much the case for debris in parking lots or asphalt drives.
Loose gravel, bolts, pieces of rusted metal from cars, and you if you can think of it, it has probably ended up in a parking lot.
If left alone it won’t do anything to asphalt.
The problem with leaving debris like this in the parking lot is that it is not left alone.
You have plows, shovels, snow blowers, and de-icing agents that will at some point come in contact with it.
A snow plow can grind it into asphalt at high speed.
De-icing chemicals could break the material down, allowing it to seep into the asphalt, weakening it.
Over the course of a winter, these little things will add up.
This is why it is important to clear the debris from lots before winter.
Clear your lot like a Pro with this Optimax Blower that can make the job quick and easy.
Don’t Wait To Fix Issues
Potholes or cracks will need attention because they cannot wait until next spring or summer.
Asphalt, as we have established, is a very durable material.
If it has existing damage though, it can spread quickly in the cold.
One of the reasons that asphalt is so durable is because it is flexible.
One of the drawbacks of this is that potholes and cracks will expand and contract during the cold months as we go through numerous freeze and thaw rotations.
This will cause any damage that is present to, at best, get a little worse.
At its worst, possibly cause major damage. That is why it is important to fix these issues before winter.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done during the winter months.
The cold makes it impossible to use asphalt because of the temperature.
Sealcoating is out of the questions, and even traditional crack sealing materials will not work.
You should definitely have some AquaPatch on hand. It is a permanent repair solution that can be done in wet, dry, warm, or cold condition.
If you have any questions you can always contact SafeSeal Of Michigan and we can help with all of your asphalt supply needs.
