In regions like ours, where winter brings frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, the arrival of spring signals a significant thaw. Before the ice and snow begin to melt, however, commercial property owners and managers should already have a plan in place for necessary asphalt repairs. Gopher State Sealcoat can help you plan ahead with repairs to your Twin Cities, MN business’s asphalt surfaces as soon as the melt begins.
Asphalt Repairs
The temperature fluctuations associated with the transition from winter to spring can have a devastating impact on asphalt surfaces, necessitating timely attention. Without forethought, clients, customers, and employees can be left to navigate across dangerous, deteriorating driveways and parking lots, which only get worse with time.
Thawing and Freezing
The repeated freezing and thawing of water within the cracks and crevices of the asphalt can cause small openings to expand. This freeze-thaw cycle leads to the formation of cracks and surface deterioration. As the ice melts, water seeps into these openings, and when it freezes again, it exerts pressure on the surrounding asphalt, causing bigger and bigger damage over time. It’s possible to go into winter with your lots and asphalt intact only to emerge from winter finding hole after hole.
Potholes
Obvious potholes aside, temperature fluctuations can also affect the structural integrity of commercial asphalt. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to brittleness and make the surface more susceptible to cracking. Conversely, the warming temperatures of spring can cause the asphalt to expand, further stressing existing cracks and weaknesses. Even if you don’t have visible damage to your asphalt, faults might be resting just out of sight.
Timely Asphalt Repairs
Timely repairs can prevent minor issues from escalating into more extensive and costly problems, which is where planning ahead comes through. Asphalt repair is best done early in the damage process, and if you haven’t budgeted for your commercial asphalt, you might find yourself scrambling to stay ahead of ever-growing problems.
Gopher State Sealcoat recommends that all Twin Cities, MN business owners with commercial asphalt incorporate repairs into their annual budgets. This gives you the wiggle room you may need when asphalt repair season rolls around. If you’d like a commercial asphalt consultation or have questions about our asphalt repair services, contact us at (952) 931-9188, visit our website, or request a free estimate today!
