Tips To Protect Your Parking Lot From Ice, Snow, And Winter Damage
With winter on the way, it is important for you to protect the integrity of your paved parking lot for the upcoming freezing weather patterns. Asphalt is susceptible to freeze and thaw damage during the winter when it is not protected and has existing cracks and potholes that allow moisture to seep down into its structure. To keep your asphalt intact and strong until spring, here are some tips to help you prepare your paved parking lot for winter.
Repair Damage
Take a good look at your pavement's condition to inspect for cracking and the potential for potholes. A pothole can form from a crack when moisture gets into the crack and freezes, then heavy vehicles drive upon the surface of your parking lot. So even small cracks that are present in the fall can work their way into larger cracks and eventually potholes with regular winter freezing.
Fill minor cracks with an asphalt filler, which will prevent the crack from enlarging. If your parking lot has any areas of severe damage, it is recommended that you remove the section of pavement and fill it with new hot-mix asphalt. You can hire a professional asphalt crew to handle this task, which will give you the best protection to your pavement.
Apply Sealcoat in the Fall
A new layer of sealcoating is a good way to protect your asphalt's surface from snow and ice, and applying it in the fall is a great way to maximize its benefits. A sealcoat should be poured over your asphalt after you have completed crack repairs and when the rest of your asphalt surface is beginning to dry out and oxidize to a lighter grey color. A professionally applied sealcoat will give your asphalt a protective layer and prevent snow melt from seeping into and causing damage to the base layers of the asphalt.
Prepare to Use Appropriate Deicers
Once your asphalt is ready for winter, you can safely remove snow and ice with the right removal and deicer applications. Asphalt does not become damaged from ice melt and other deicer chemicals like concrete does, so you can use these as you need. Just be careful not to overuse ice melt, as it can get into nearby waterways and harm wildlife.
Sand is a great option to help with traction on your parking lot. Sand provides traction to vehicles and moves around in the snow when vehicles drive upon it. And this movement makes it difficult for the water molecules to stick together, preventing it from freezing into ice on your pavement. For more information, contact a company like Northern Asphalt LLC today.
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