Being prepared isn’t just for boy scouts, and you don’t need a merit badge in asphalt protection to know that preventative maintenance practically pays for itself. While asphalt maintenance is typically done in the spring, it can also be done in early to mid-fall if the weather allows for it. As long as the weather is warm and dry enough, you still have time to get in some last minute work before winter sets in.
Winter in Wisconsin can be rough, and your parking lot is likely to take a beating. If your parking lot has weak spots in fall, then winter will find them, and you’ll be paying for it come spring. That’s why it is so important to give your parking lot a look over while it’s still easy to do so and assess whether or not your asphalt pavement needs a little extra love before it spends the next few months being salted and dealing with the constant freeze/thaw cycle.
Here are three things to consider before the cold weather sets in:
1. Sealcoating Your Asphalt Pavement
Sealcoating should be done every three to five years to help protect your asphalt parking lot or driveway. For this job to be done correctly, the nightly temperature needs to be at least 50 degrees and before the leaves fall to the ground because they make it challenging to sealcoat effectively. If the weather permits, sealcoating can still be done, however weather in Wisconsin has been known to be unpredictable so the sooner, the better.
Looking for more sealcoating resources and information? Try these other blogs!
- When Should You Sealcoat Or Repave Your Asphalt Driveway?
- Why Sealcoating Asphalt Is Essential
- The Dos And Don'ts Of Blacktop Sealcoating
- The Benefits of Sealcoating Asphalt - Educational Whitepaper
2. Crack-Filling Your Asphalt Pavement
Even small cracks can be a significant problem if not handled properly. Cracks often lead to stormwater getting into the underlying rock supporting the pavement, and if the sub-base gets damaged, more cracks and holes can appear. These new cracks lead to even more water getting in, and the cycle continues. Dealing with small damages ahead of time saves you from trouble later on. Crack-filling materials are available at home improvement stores, or you can have the cracks professionally filled.
Potholes produce a similar problem. If water fills up a pothole it can expand, making the pothole bigger. A small pothole in the summer will only grow in the winter months. Consider repairing potholes the right way to protect your investment through the winter months.
Looking for more asphalt cracking solutions? Try these blogs!
- Imperative Reasons To Fill Cracks And Potholes Before Winter Hits
- The Do’s And Don’t Of Repairing Alligator Cracking In Asphalt Pavement
- What To Do When You See Alligator Cracking In Asphalt
Interested in pothole repair solutions? Read these blogs!
- Understanding The Pothole Process - Educational Whitepaper
- The Proper Way To Fill A Pothole - Educational eBook
- Potholes In Asphalt: What Causes Them And How Are They Fixed?
3. Pay Attention To Pooling Water On Your Asphalt
Pooling water on your asphalt could mean the top layer is uneven. When this occurs, it may indicate a more significant problem with the sub-base, and without proper attention, an uneven area could quickly turn into a pothole. The correction may be as simple as patching the dipped section to make a level surface, or if the pooling water is really bad a drain might have to be installed.
What's more, pooling water in warm months means ice in the cold months. Avoid slips and falls on your property by fixing the problem as soon as possible.
Another solution to standing water on your parking lot or driveway is porous asphalt, which is designed to allow water to run through the asphalt and sub-base back into the ground where it belongs. Porous asphalt is relatively new and has a lot of benefits worth looking into. Replacing the pavement of your parking lot with porous asphalt is something that might be worth considering in the future.
Looking for more in-depth information on how water affects your asphalt? Try these blogs!
- Wolf Paving Q&A On Mr. Fix It – Water Pooling Near Culvert
- 4 Ways Snow Has An Affect On Your Asphalt Pavement
To get started request a free estimate for pavement repairs.
For more information on Wolf Paving's products and services or to request a detailed quote for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee, WI or Oconomowoc, WI area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison, WI and Sun Prairie WI, area, call us at 608-249-7931.
