Cold weather, particularly in the winter, can significantly damage the asphalt on your driveway or parking lot if you fail to observe the recommended maintenance tips for asphalt. No one wants to start repairing their driveways or parking lots after the winter season just because they failed to take proper care of the asphalt during the cold season. If you don't know how to care for your asphalt, it is good to consult an experienced asphalt contractor to help you in maintaining your asphalt during cold weather. The following are 5 ways to take care of asphalt in colder weather and reduce the need for asphalt repair.
Repair Any Cracks Before Winter Starts
Always inspect your asphalt for any signs of damages, like cracks, before the cold weather begins. While small cracks might appear harmless at the beginning, they can become bigger when they are exposed to the cold. When precipitation from cold weather percolates in the cracks, it causes erosion, which leads to immense damage to the cracks, like crocodile cracking.
Remove Snow on a Regular Basis
Removing snow from your driveway is very important as it helps to protect your asphalt driveway. When snow piles up in your driveway, it leads to hazardous driving conditions, which can cause accidents. Removing the snow in your driveway helps in preserving the asphalt, and it also reduces the possibilities of accidents.
Use the Recommended De-Icing Agents
You might be tempted to use things like rock salt to reduce the slipperiness of your asphalt. However, this can cause serious problems. Rock salt, by its nature, is very corrosive, which means that it can damage your asphalt. Therefore, it is advisable to use recommended de-icing materials like potassium chloride.
Seal Your Asphalt
Sealing the asphalt in your driveway significantly helps in improving the longevity of your asphalt. If you seal your asphalt well, just before the winter, it reduces its permeability, thus protecting it from water and other elements that might damage it. Therefore, it is important that you consult an asphalt contractor to come up with a maintenance schedule for your asphalt, and make sure that it received the recommended treatment before and during cold weather.
Safeguard the Asphalt from Shovels and Snow Plows
Shoveling and snow plow services are important during cold weather, particularly winter, but the service you require depends on the snow levels that cover your asphalt. However, these services can also damage the asphalt. Both incorrect usages of shoveling and plows can lead to the scraping off of the asphalt's topmost layer. Therefore, it is important that you place noticeable signs along the curbs in order to protect pathways and driveways. To avoid damaging the asphalt with shovels, always consult an asphalt contractor when purchasing a snow shovel.
