As we head into fall across New England, there are more transitions to anticipate than just the changing leaves. The shift in weather across the area can also change the look and functionality of your parking lot paving and/or residential asphalt paving. Possibly more than anything on your property, your asphalt is highly susceptible to changes in the weather. Although these asphalt changes can burden your bottom line and efforts to lower liability, they are common and happen every year. So, how does asphalt change with the weather, what does it look like, and what can you do if those shifts cause damage? With the right plan in place, you can avoid issues that the changing weather brings.
How Weather Impacts Asphalt
Asphalt Paving and the Weather
One thing to remember about asphalt paving is that it is a porous material. This means that throughout the year, it can expand and contract with the temperatures. It is especially prone to movement when there is excess rain or moisture. Snow also poses a substantial risk because it can seep into the asphalt as it falls and melts. If that same water freezes inside your asphalt subbase, it can exceed the allowable space and break the material bond. The porosity of the pavement allows for movement, which makes it more reliable than other materials, but that can also be a downside. Too much movement means you’re left with cracks and asphalt potholes. Furthermore, as your pavement is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, rain, and the usual wear and tear throughout the year, you can expect there to be different levels of deterioration. With all of these factors considered, you should be ready to call your asphalt paving contractorwhen you see even the slightest changes in your asphalt parking driveway or lot.
Year-Round Prevention
As a best practice, you need to address any problems as soon as possible, regardless of the time of the year. The worst thing you can do is ignore a problem in your asphalt and allow that problem to go unrepaired into the harsh New England winter. Any issue that you have before the freezing temperatures begin will be severely enhanced come wintertime. The key to keeping your asphalt looking and working well throughout the year is to have a comprehensive plan in place for asphalt maintenance services. Some of the things you can do to keep the weather from damaging your asphalt are:
- Blacktop sealcoating
- Crack filling
- Pothole patching
- Resurfacing
- Cleaning
- Snow removal
Taking these steps is a great place to start for deterioration prevention. Doing repairs only when you notice an issue is not enough to avoid widespread issues and even complete failure of your pavement.
Get Professional Asphalt Guidance
While you’re never expected to know what to do about your asphalt changing, you should at least have an idea of where to go for help. Cassidy Paving offers repair, weather planning, and maintenance services for commercial, industrial, and residential customers across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Southern New Hampshire. Call us today at 877-978-9788 to discuss your options and to get a free estimate.
