Affordable Asphalt Paving in the Triangle: Preparing Your Property for Winter

Winter is quickly coming to the Triangle! That means it’s time to start thinking about how to winterize any asphalt on your property and keep it in good shape throughout the winter.

Affordable asphalt paving is a great investment that can last for many years, but it isn’t impervious. Winter weather can easily damage the paving. For example, if there are any cracks in the asphalt’s surface or sealcoating, water can get inside. Then cycles of freezing and thawing will cause the water to expand and contract, widening those cracks or causing new cracks to appear. There can also be issues with drainage due to water or snow pooling on the surface, which can also damage the asphalt.

Blalock Paving wants your asphalt to last for as long as possible, and we’re here to help in any way we can. So let’s talk about what you can do to protect your asphalt, how to maintain it over the winter, and what resources are available to keep it in good condition.

Protecting Your Asphalt During Winter in the Triangle

1. Fix any small problems.

Start by surveying your asphalt. Are there any visible cracks, potholes, or other problems with the surface? Winter will almost certainly make these problems worse, so it’s a good idea to repair them before snow starts falling.

Don’t overlook the apron either. That’s the raised bit of paving which connects your asphalt to the concrete of your garage or the street on the other end. Aprons can easily be damaged over the course of the year and should also be repaired before winter hits.

For very minor cracks and flaws, it’s possible to patch it yourself with an asphalt patching kit, which should be available from home improvement stores. However, for problems that are more than a few inches in size, you’ll be much better off calling for professional asphalt repair. Larger asphalt repair jobs are difficult, time consuming, and require specialized equipment.

2. Does your asphalt need sealing?

To have the longest lifespan, asphalt paving needs to be periodically sealcoated. This is a top layer on the asphalt that protects it against liquids such as water and oil, while also protecting it from the sun and temperature variations. In general, it’s a good idea to sealcoat your asphalt every 3-5 years.

The most common signs that it’s time for a new sealcoating are:

• Discoloration, changing from black to gray
• Visible surface cracks
• Small stones (aggregate) coming loose in the top layer
• Rough pitting on the surface, which should be reasonably smooth
• Other visible wear from heavy use
• Staining from oil spills or similar spills

If you see any of these signs, it would be a very good idea to call for professional sealcoating services before winter hits. If your waterproofing has failed and water makes it into the asphalt, it could create a huge repair job in the spring.

3. Verify drainage

When your asphalt is sealcoated, take a garden hose and spray it down. Look at how the water flows; is it properly flowing off the sides of the asphalt? You don’t want water pooling; anywhere that happens could potentially lead to cracks or potholes.

If water is pooling along the sides of the asphalt, it’s time to do a little digging so that there’s room for the water to run off into the ground. If water is pooling in the middle of the asphalt, that’s another sign you might want to call for asphalt repair so the problem doesn’t get worse during the winter.

4. Keep your asphalt free of debris

During fall, be vigilant about sweeping debris off of the asphalt. If materials end up stuck on the surface and then buried under snow, they could end up becoming embedded in the asphalt. Or, as another example, if a stick fell onto the asphalt and then a car ran over it, the stick could easily penetrate the sealcoating and damage the paving underneath – creating a crack that could widen with time. Even fallen leaves can end up getting pressed into the asphalt. They might not penetrate, but they would leave an impression!

Likewise, during winter, try to keep the surface free of standing snow whenever you can. Hopefully this winter will be relatively mild, but standing snow on the asphalt can also encourage moisture to make its way past the sealcoat.

However, do not use harsh “de-icing” chemicals to melt the snow. These can potentially damage the asphalt’s surface. Manually removing the snow, or using a snow-blower, will protect your investment.

Blalock Paving Protects Your Residential or Commercial Asphalt

Since 1968, Blalock Paving have been leaders in affordable asphalt paving installation, repairs, and maintenance across the greater Triangle area. We’ve built our stellar reputation through a simple commitment to quality throughout the entire process. When you call our offices, you’ll talk to a real person – not a machine. Once the work begins, we do everything to ensure the best quality end result. We want every customer fully satisfied, and that commitment keeps clients coming back whenever they need excellent asphalt services.

We are happy to handle both residential and commercial work of any size. For commercial clients, we can do your paving, resurfacing, and striping. For residential driveways, we’re happy to install or repair your asphalt, enhancing safety and curb appeal.

We’re open throughout the winter, and with the relatively mild winters in North Carolina, we can even handle some repair jobs during cold weather. So don’t allow winter to damage your asphalt and erode your investment. Just contact us, or click here for a free estimate, and we’ll get right back to you.