What To Do About Your Cracked Asphalt Pavement In The Winter - Doctor Asphalt

Asphalt wear is a well-known phenomenon in Minnesota. Due to winter and the change of seasons, the effect of frost causes many problems. Thus, a crack can quickly turn into an annoying pothole if it is not fixed on time!

If you are a property owner and have a worn-down asphalt pavement, it is crucial to maintain it well by applying a sealer every three years. If you’re still struggling with an asphalt deformation problem, click here to connect with experts at Doctor Asphalt in Maplewood, MN, today.

We ensure your commercial property’s pavement remains top-notch throughout the year by providing premium asphalt paving and maintenance services.

In today’s blog, we’ll discuss how you can repair your damaged asphalt pavement in winter.

How To Do an Asphalt Repair

1. The First Aid To Be Given

When a crack or break appears, the sooner you intervene and correct the problem, the longer the asphalt surface will last. This is because the appearance of damage favors water infiltration, the main enemy of asphalt. To prevent further deterioration, you can take simple steps, depending on the nature of the problem.

Small cracks (less than ¾ inch)

• Fill the crack with a special coating composed of asphalt and rubber and let the base dry.
• The product should be more or less liquid depending on the size of the crack.

Large cracks (over ¾ inch) or potholes

• Repair the defect with a cold asphalt mixture specially designed for this type of problem.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prepare the surface, and then pour the product into the cavity.
• Compact manually.
• For best results, you can finish leveling by driving the car over a wooden panel placed on the repaired surface.

2. Greater Damage? Specialists To The Rescue!

If the damaged area is large or if the defects are significant, it is best to consult a specialist contractor. It will use suitable equipment and products, in particular, hot asphalt. Essentially, the paving contractor will perform the following actions:

• They will delimit and mark the surface to be repaired. The perimeter of the area should extend slightly beyond the damaged area.
• They will cut the circumscribed surface with a saw, making it easier to remove damaged asphalt, avoid damaging the rest of the surface, and allowing for more careful patching.
• If necessary, they will spread a granular material and compact it.
• Next, they will heat the existing asphalt on its outline to promote its merging with the repaired asphalt.
• Lastly, they will apply the hot asphalt to a minimum thickness of 2″ after compaction.

If it is to correct slight depressions, especially those attributable to a vehicle’s weight, it is not always useful to remove the asphalt. The intervention will then be limited to applying an adhesion coating commonly called collapse before laying the asphalt.

Resurfacing: Giving New Life To Asphalt

Even if it is carried out according to the art rules, any asphalt coating ends up undergoing the effects of time. After 20 years, the surface often becomes rough and almost impossible to sweep.

Considering resurfacing? Yes, under certain conditions:

• The granular foundation quality must be good. The absence or rarity of cracks, potholes, or swelling is a good indicator in this regard.
• The drainage slope is maintained over the years.
• The level of the land and the building must be able to accommodate an additional thickness of asphalt.

Only a qualified and experienced contractor will confirm that resurfacing is an advantageous and durable option given the condition of the asphalt pavement.

If you have more questions about our asphalt repair work, click here to connect with Doctor Asphalt today. We will be happy to cater to all your queries and offer you a free estimate in Maplewood, MN!