We will tell you one thing straight up – there is no proper repairing of asphalt in winters. The repairing work done on asphalt pavement in winter is ineffective, and the asphalt starts to break down again after some time. The other problem with repairing asphalt in winters is that sometimes, the cold weather makes the asphalt brittle, and it might crack when it is being repaired. This can lead to more damage and the formation of potholes.
Paving experts at Doctor Asphalt LLC, serving Madison, WI, would like to offer you some simple tips on preparing your asphalt pavement for winter.
Be proactive, not Reactive.
The biggest problem is often that people wait for the damage to occur before they act. The right time to act is before you have issues, so it’s best to start taking preventive measures in Fall. This way, you can ensure that your asphalt pavement stays in good condition through winter and beyond.
If you’re not sure when it’s time for preventive maintenance, we advise seeing what your neighbors and local street authorities do in the Fall and doing the same. That way, you can be proactive without having to figure everything out yourself in a hurry.
Keep the Pavement Clean
Remove snow and ice from the surface as soon as possible. This will help keep the pavement clear and prevent it from melting and refreezing, which can cause damage to the pavement.
If you remove heavy accumulations of ice or snow, avoid damaging the pavement by sweeping gently with a broom. It is better to go over the surface more frequently at first to remove smaller amounts of ice and snow before they have time to bond to the pavement.
Thoroughly sweep up any loose sand or de-icing chemicals that may be on the surface after you’ve removed the ice and snow using a broom, shovel, or blower. This will help prevent these materials from being picked back up by traffic and tracking into places where they are not desired
Use Salt Sparingly
Salt accelerates corrosion in asphalt and can ruin your road faster than any other factor. If you have to use salt, try to use a de-icing agent like calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. These will work at lower temperatures than sodium chloride (table salt) and won’t corrode the asphalt as much.
Use salt during a snowstorm or after a blizzard, not before. You just need to get rid of the packed down ice and snow that’s causing problems with traffic getting through, not melt all the snow off by dumping tons of salt onto the ground. That’ll only cause more problems.
You can contact Doctor Asphalt LLC, serving Madison, WI, for all things asphalt, including asphalt paving, repair, and maintenance. Schedule a free quote, t get started.
