How Does Weather Affect Asphalt Driveways?

Do you want to keep your asphalt driveway in mint condition at all times? This does more than make your premises look beautiful, it can and will also increase its market value. Well, it turns out that this is easier said than done during the cold and harsh winter months. The elements can give asphalt driveway a real pounding – literally and metaphorically speaking. This is especially true with freeze-thaw cycles that are common during wintertime.

 

Basics of freeze-thaw cycles

 

When you live in a temperate climate, snow is a fact of life. That said, did you know that water runoff from melting snow in the spring time can wreak havoc on your driveway? Thus, water tends to run and seep into the ground as it melts and expands. This is bad news for your driveway since it will seep into the different layers of the ground beneath the asphalt.

 

Once it has done this it will rest in the cracks. If you happen to have a cold spell afterward, the accumulated water will freeze and expand. It will make the cracks in your asphalt driveway even wider and much worse. You’ll eventually end up with uneven asphalt or huge potholes. Both can wreak havoc on motorists’ tires.

 

Here’s how you protect your asphalt?

 

Did you know that you can take many measures that will actually protect your asphalt from potentially damaging and harsh winter weather? Well, you will need to make sure that your asphalt has enough drainage. Melting snow water won’t seep into the ground below if you don’t give it a chance to. You can rob melting snow from this damaging opportunity by installing your asphalt so that it has proper drainage which can channel the water far away from the asphalt.

 

Crack fillers and sealcoating

 

Do you have little cracks in your sidewalk? Don’t worry, we will always use acrylic or hot rubber filler to fill in these cracks and make your asphalt look and function as good as new. It is important to protect your asphalt with regular seal coats. Thus, when you sealcoat the asphalt, you’re coating it with a protective sealant. This will protect your sidewalk and make it last longer by keeping as much moisture out as possible.

 

You can use chemicals to de-ice your sidewalk but do so sparingly. Using these too much will erode the surface of your asphalt and make it even more susceptible to damage from the elements. Professionals can and will do a much better job than you can in terms of laying asphalt down.

 

To know more about the process of sealcoating or to get a quote on your project, call Right Track Painting & Sealcoating at (617) 480-9831.