The temperatures in Anchorage, AK, can take significant seasonal dips. Unfortunately, shifts in temperature can have an effect on the pavement and necessitate asphalt repair. Property owners should be aware of how these seasonal changes can impact them, but it’s not something many people take into consideration. Ron Webb Paving & Snow Removal provides asphalt services in the city and knows a few ways that seasonal changes can impact parking lots and driveways.

When it rains or snows, cold and warm weather work together, potentially causing damage to pavement. When water gets under the asphalt, cold weather freezes it, causing it to crack, which then allows more water to seep through. During the next significant temperature drop, the water can freeze and expand, splitting the asphalt entirely. Repair is needed to seal these cracks before they become even larger.

Rainwater during the spring poses a problem for asphalt that’s already cracked, but it can also cause surface erosion. Asphalt that’s set along steep terrain can experience a lot of water runoff. As water continues to slide along the surface, it erodes it a little at a time. Eventually, the decay becomes so significant that the asphalt dissolves entirely, leaving bare rock behind.

A rise in temperature in the summer after it has rained can create different problems for cracked asphalt. If water forms a crack in the sub-surface layer, air gaps can form in the pavement after the temperatures rise, even in Alaska where it rarely gets hot. When heavy weight passes above, like that from a car, it can cause the asphalt to sag and collapse. This is how potholes are formed. When asphalt repair is conducted, it focuses on repairing the damage down to the sub-surface layer.

If you’ve noticed cracks in your pavement and need asphalt repair work done, contact Ron Webb Paving & Snow Removal. They’ll be happy to consult with you on any project ranging from parking lot paving to road construction. Call (907) 349-3724, or visit them online for more information.