It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the days are getting shorter, and winter is just around the corner. One of the most important things to do during the winter is to prepare your asphalt for the cold weather. If you don’t prepare it correctly, your asphalt could crack and become damaged. In this blog post, we will discuss how to prepare your asphalt for winter and how to protect it from the cold weather.
How to Prepare Your Asphalt for Winter
Winter may seem like it’s still a ways off, but you never know when that first snow storm s going to be here before we know it! So it’s absolutely essential to prepare your asphalt for winter now, before the stores sell out of milk, bread, and toilet paper. But how to begin? Here are some things you should do in order to prepare your asphalt for winter.
Look for Pooling or Standing Water
As you begin to prepare your asphalt for winter it is important keep an eye out for any areas of pooling or standing water. These areas can easily freeze over and cause your asphalt to crack or heave. If you see any areas of pooling water, be sure to fill them in with sand or gravel so that they can drain properly.
Clean Off Debris
Be sure to clean off any leaves, branches, or debris that may have accumulated on your asphalt over the fall season. Not only will this help to prevent your asphalt from cracking, but it will also make it look nicer and more presentable.
Seal Any Cracks
One of the best ways to prepare your asphalt for winter is to seal any cracks that may be present. These cracks can easily become larger and more damaging when water seeps in and then freezes. As water freezes it expands. As it melts, it contracts. When this happens over and over again all winter long underneath your asphalt, this is a recipe for longer cracks, alligator cracking and finally, dreaded potholes. By sealing the cracks now, you can help to prevent any further damage from occurring.
Prepare Your Asphalt for Winter by Fixing Potholes
If you have any potholes present in your asphalt, now is the time to fix them! Potholes are caused when water seeps underneath the surface of the asphalt and then freezes. As it frozen, the water expands and creates a small hole or depression in the asphalt. As cars drive over this area, the weight of the vehicle can cause the hole to become larger and more damaging. If you have any potholes present, be sure to fill them in with cold patch asphalt so that they can be repaired properly.
Preparing for Snowplows
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, then you know that snowplows can do a lot of damage to your asphalt if you’re not careful. The best way to prepare for snowplows is to make sure that any areas of your asphalt that are vulnerable are marked off. This can be done by placing traffic cones or other markers around the perimeter of your driveway or parking lot. By marking off these areas, you can help to prevent the snowplow from damaging your asphalt.
Prepare Your Asphalt for Winter by Checking the Drainage System
One of the most important things to do when preparing your asphalt for winter is to check the drainage system. Make sure that all of your gutters and downspouts are clear of any debris so that they can function properly. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, be sure to sandbag any areas around your property that are vulnerable. By taking these steps, you can help to prevent any water damage to your asphalt.
As you can see, there are a few different things that you need to do in order to prepare your asphalt for winter. By following these tips, you can help to prevent any damage from occurring to your asphalt and keep it looking its best all winter long!
Let Our Team Help Prepare Your Asphalt for Winter
If you’re not sure where to start or what to do, our team of experts at Sealcoating 2.0 can help. We have years of experience in helping property owners prepare their asphalt for winter. We can help you seal any cracks, fill in any potholes, and clear your drainage system so that your asphalt is ready for anything the winter throws its way. Contact us today to learn more!