As a paving material, asphalt offers a bevy of benefits that make it a favorite among contractors and property owners. Asphalt pavements last long, withstand freeze-thaw cycles, and allow for quick and affordable repairs and maintenance. It’s no wonder then why asphalt is probably the most cost-effective paving material and among the most popular ones.
But like any other paving materials, asphalt is subjected to damages caused by the changing seasons. Among the most unforgiving seasons is winter. During the cold season, asphalt pavements like driveways and parking lots are often full of snow that turns to water eventually. Water, as you probably know, is one of the worst enemies of any asphalt pavement. So, how do you winterize your asphalt pavements?
Here are four simple ways to do it:
Call the experts for preventive repairs
Why wait for the winter to come when you can do preventive maintenance immediately? If you have spots in your asphalt pavements that have issues like potholes and cracks, you should quickly contact a repair company that specializes in asphalt repair services in Utah or wherever you live. Make sure they do repair and maintenance jobs before winter because these tasks are almost impossible to perform once the snows fall. By being proactive, you prevent minor asphalt issues from turning into costly repairs or new pavement installation.
Remove snow regularly
The worst thing you could do when winter comes is to let snow just build up on your asphalt driveway. If the snow melts, it could result in water pooling that could then damage the asphalt. The easy solution is to remove the snow using a shovel or snowplow. However, be extra careful when using snowplow as you could run straight into potholes or cracks and do more harm than good. If you’re unsure about how to do it properly or you lack the right equipment, then just leave the job to the hands of professionals.
De-ice responsibly
It’s tempting to buy and use the first de-icing product you find in your local supply store. However, experts don’t recommend all de-icing products as some of them can be harmful to the environment, the asphalt pavement, and humans. If you really must de-ice, then consider using magnesium chloride, which experts consider to be a gentler de-icing product.
Seal them up
So, you have had your asphalt pavements repaired and maintained before winter. What’s left to do? Seal them up, of course. Applying a fresh coat of asphalt sealant would ensure that the pavements will stay relatively safe from damages caused by exposure to snow and water. It’s a wise thing to do if you want winter to pass without causing costly damages to your asphalt driveway or parking lot.
Protecting your asphalt pavements during winter surely requires a lot of work. But if the ultimate price is keeping them in great condition and avoiding repairs that would cost you a serious amount of money, then it’s all worth it. So before the winter comes in, make sure to call the right professionals to inspect and do necessary repairs on your asphalt.
