In New England and regions with similar climates, mid-to-late fall marks the end of the year’s asphalt paving contracting season. While some asphalt services are still available throughout winter, the majority of tasks, such as paving, sealcoating, and crack repair are best left until spring. If you didn’t get your asphalt projects done in time this year, don’t fret — spring might seem far away, but it’s never too early to start planning next year’s asphalt paving and repair projects.
What to Know About Asphalt Paving
Why Asphalt Paving Has to Wait Until Spring
Simply put, winter weather isn’t conducive to a number of exterior renovations, including asphalt repair and paving. For starters, working in freezing temperatures and/or during heavy snowfall is uncomfortable and unsafe. On top of that, asphalt cannot be properly laid unless the air and ground temperatures are suitable — ideally, the air should remain at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit and the ground should be no lower than 70 degrees. If you live in New England, you know that winter months rarely (if ever) reach or exceed these temperatures. Wind, rain, and snow can also cause problems for asphalt projects, and winter is filled with these conditions. For all these reasons, asphalt contractors start their season in spring and end it sometime during fall.
What to Do About Your Asphalt During the Winter
If you can’t fix up or resurface your asphalt during winter, then what should you do, exactly? Just because certain tasks are off-limits doesn’t mean you should simply neglect your parking lot or driveway. Asphalt maintenance is important year-round — it just looks slightly different during winter. If you don’t want your asphalt surfaces to deteriorate any further this winter, you must do your best to keep snow and ice off of them. After a light snow, you can carefully remove snow with a shovel or snow blower. If you lay down salt or other de-icing agents, check the label carefully to make sure they won’t corrode your asphalt. You might need to rely on professional plowing services to clear all the accumulation that comes with more severe snowstorms. In fact, partnering up with snow clearing services is always a good idea for those who live in particularly snow regions and have a lot of ground to cover.
Why Start Planning so Early?
The late fall and early winter months might seem a bit soon to start planning for spring projects. Keep in mind, though, that asphalt paving contractors will be in high demand come March and April — if you wait too long to reserve services with a reliable provider, you might struggle to schedule services until later in spring, if not summer. Some people can wait that long, but if your asphalt is in dire straits, the sooner you hire the pros, the better. Getting a head start will also grant you more flexibility when it comes to scheduling, which is important if you’re on a strict timeline. In some cases, reaching out to asphalt services well before the busy season can grant you discount prices, too. So, if you like saving time and money, there’s every reason in the world to plan your project sooner rather than later.
Ready to start planning your springtime asphalt paving or repair projects? Call Cassidy Paving today at 866-978-9788 for a free estimate on your next asphalt project.
