Winters are practically the off-season for asphalt paving projects. That said, parking lot managers cannot ignore any damage to their pavement assets, especially potholes. It’s best to fix winter potholes than waiting for a change of season.
At Doctor Asphalt, we provide top-of-the-line paving and repair services for residential and commercial properties in Madison, WI. Click here to get a free estimate.
In today’s blog, we discuss why you shouldn’t neglect winter asphalt maintenance for emergency pothole filling services this winter.
Winter Potholes Are Dangerous
No one loves working outdoors in December or January, but it’s still a good idea to get done with pothole filling during winters.
For one thing, potholes are ugly blemishes on your parking lot that create a bad impression on potential customers/tenants. Not to mention, they also create tripping hazards for pedestrians. In addition to this, potholes also cause damage to vehicles, especially flat tires.
Winter potholes are hazardous because they pave the way for further deterioration (no pun intended). They become water puddles after rainfall or snowfall and allow water to seep below the asphalt. Freezing and thawing ensue, leading to widespread damage to your parking lot.
Winters not only worsen potholes; they also create them. Melting ice, for instance, creates a hollow space between the pavement and the sub-base, weakening the surface. Moreover, improper use of deicers to melt snow also corrodes the surface of asphalt parking lots and creates potholes.
For all these reasons, you can’t leave potholes open in winter.
How To Repair Winter Potholes
Patching asphalt is the most common way to deal with winter potholes. Asphalt paving companies use cold-mix asphalt to patch potholes in the colder months, as this type of asphalt doesn’t need to be heated and paved at high temperatures. But this is also why cold patches are not as durable as other asphalt binders.
For best results, you should get potholes fixed when the temperature is above 50 degrees. In the warmer months, your asphalt paving contractor can fix potholes with saw cutting or infrared patching, using hot-mix asphalt.
But when it comes to emergency repairs, cold patches are the way to go. You can remove them and add a more permanent solution once spring arrives. This is the standard operating procedure for most paving companies.
How To Prevent Winter Potholes
The best way to protect your pavement assets in winter is to prevent potholes and cracks on the surface. Here’s how to go about it:
Finally, you should stay in close contact with your asphalt paving contractor to stay ahead of repairs and maintenance.
At Doctor Asphalt, we provide top-of-the-line paving and repair services for residential and commercial properties in Madison, WI. Click here to get a free estimate.