How does cold weather affect asphalt and concrete?
Winter is coming! With the change of season and the temperatures falling a lot of things will get impacted and asphalt and concrete paving in your property will be no different. Did you know that extreme cold can cause severe damage to asphalt and concrete? The durability of your asphalt surface depends greatly on what part of the world you live in. This makes it very important for you to look for the best asphalt maintenance and asphalt resurfacing to repair any damages done.
In extreme low temperatures, the asphalt or concrete surface contracts and shrinks and this causes tension in the surface. If this tension becomes very strong, cracks appear in the paving surface to release the tension generated. When there is a rapid decrease in the temperature the contraction happens at a faster pace and tension builds in faster. This creates a conducive environment for increased chances of cracking. Temperatures below the freezing point cause the water trapped beneath the surface to freeze. If the surface does not have a proper drainage, then the frozen water will lead to a frost heave.
How can you prepare your paving for the upcoming winter season?
1-Repair any existing cracks: Any pre-existing crack in the surface can cause further damage as soon as the temperatures start dropping. So, now is the time to contact service providers offering asphalt resurfacing Oklahoma City and get the cracks sealed. These cracks most often are from the previous winter season or small or large holes where plants could have found their way through. Commercial concrete contractors will repair the surface by cleaning the crack and removing any debris that might be trapped and then use a crack-filler to seal. This method works well both on concrete and asphalt.
2-Resurfacing the area: This is a slightly more expensive process, but it does a lot of good to ensure longevity of the surface and hence is a recommended one for parking lot maintenance. Resurfacing means removing the top layer and replacing with a new one. Where the cracks are deeper and not limited to the superficial top layer then you will need your concrete contractors Okc to first fill the cracks and then lay the new surface. Resurfacing is a very effective way to prevent future damage and it makes the area look brand new.
3-Try to avoid overuse of the area: This is a very tough one, especially for areas like driveways or parking lots. However, avoiding overuse of the surface will help prevent further damage. Keeping the area dry will prevent water from seeping in and freezing under the surface. Any additional pressure to the surface will weaken the area and deepen the cracks. While it might not be possible to reduce the usage of the area to nil, you can try to minimise it to as far as possible as a part of you parking lot maintenance plan.
This winter do not worry about cracked asphalt or concrete surfaces. Be prepared by using parking lot sealcoating Oklahoma City and prevent damage to your driveway.
For any resurfacing or pavement sealing related work in your property, contact us by calling us on 405-664-6200 or email us at askfirstwater@gmail.com.
