Even with routine maintenance, the winter weather can take a toll on your asphalt. When the spring finally arrives and temperatures are warmer, it is the perfect time to get some maintenance done to repair the damage. Below, learn what happens to asphalt during the winter.  

3 Common Causes of Asphalt Damage in Winter

1. Freezing Temperatures 

The winter cold may impact you and your home, but it’s easy to forget that it can also impact your pavement. Freezing temperatures cause it to contract, which stresses the material. Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing can weaken it enough so that cracks form. 

This is especially a problem if rain, sleet, or melted snow get inside, as they could refreeze and create more pressure. This could result in fissures or potholes. Even the water alone, at a temperature above freezing, can break up the pavement. It is advised to get those small cracks filled in the spring to ensure that moisture inside doesn’t continue to erode them. 

2. Contact From the Snowplows

If you hire a plow driver to clear your driveway after heavy snow, make sure they have plenty of experience. A knowledgeable professional will know how to remove the snow without damaging the material with the machinery and deicing salts. However, those who aren’t as proficient at the job can set the plow too low and scratch the pavement.

These scratches can impact the aesthetics of the pavement and also make it so additional moisture can work its way down to create deep divots. Even if scratches are light, get them filled in before they worsen.

3. Snow-Melting Solutions

If the snow is heavy enough or the surfaces are particularly icy, your city may spread salt or chemical deicer solutions to melt it. While these are designed to break down ice, they can also break down the lower levels of the pavement if they’re already exposed due to surface cracks.

This can result in alligator cracks, which spread off in multiple directions and could cause chunks of the asphalt to come loose. The best way to avoid this is to make sure any surface cracks are treated so foreign substances can’t get down inside.

If you need a reliable asphalt specialist, turn to Art Tabasco & Sons Paving in Walden, NY. With 35 years of experience in the paving business, they can provide the upkeep you need when winter weather has taken its toll. For asphalt and driveway repair that’s always in line with estimates, visit their website or call (845) 986-7711.