Along with the holidays comes the cold harsh weather of winter. Protecting your asphalt this time of year is an absolute must if you don’t want spring to be full of expensive repairs. With that being said, maintaining your asphalt through the winter is going to require a bit of upkeep this season. Here are some ways you can keep your asphalt in tip-top shape!
Clear it of Debris
Clearing your asphalt of any debris before the snow hits is mandatory if you’re trying to avoid damage. If any stray branch or large stone gets frozen to the ground then you’re likely to experience a few problems this winter. For example, more cracks and potholes will start to form the longer that the object is able to be driven over. Debris can also harm both snow plows and the ground they’re trying to clear of snow.
Shovel It
Letting snow and ice compact on your pavement all winter is a terrible idea for multiple reasons. The first reason is that it’s a safety hazard. Cars and people are going to have trouble moving on a slick surface and there is a high chance for injury to occur. On top of this, failure to shovel the snow will result in your asphalt being exposed to standing water and snow over the next few months. This water will begin eating away at the pavement causing deterioration to form.
Be Mindful of the Water
As mentioned above, water can cause your asphalt to receive a lot of damage over time. If you notice that small potholes are starting to form and are pooling water then you should address it immediately! Failure to fill this pothole in will only lead to a bigger repair being necessary in the future.
Fill in Cracks
Before winter hits it would be wise of you to start filling in the cracks that are forming in your asphalt. You should also take care of any new ones that happen to appear in the winter. It’s tempting to overlook these because they may seem like minor problems, however; these minor problems can lead to critical issues if left unchecked.
Sealcoating
If you’re trying to take care of your asphalt, then seal coating annually is always a good idea. This holds especially true during the winter season. Maintaining your asphalt through the winter doesn’t have to be hard! Adding an extra layer of protection between the ice and the surface of the pavement can help you make it through the winter without any issues.
Have More Questions?
You can count on Walt’s Paving to complete your residential or commercial paving project in an efficient and timely manner. We have over 40 years of experience paving asphalt driveways, making asphalt repairs, and seal coating asphalt. We are located in Osceola IN and service homeowners and businesses within 50 miles of Elkhart IN. If you have any further questions regarding our services, do not hesitate to contact us today.
