Fall is here in the Twin Cities and that means winter is just around the corner. As you prepare for winter throughout your commercial space, testing out your heating system and weather proofing your windows, have you considered how to prepare your parking lot for the impending cold?
If you’ve started to notice cracks around your commercial parking lot, take a moment to identify the cause before investing in a high-quality routing and asphalt crack repair. Here’s how to get started:
Block: After a few seasonal cycles, temperature changes in less-trafficked areas of your parking lot may cause a cycle of expanding and shrinking. These types of asphalt cracks are usually large and cover a rectangular space of a foot or more.
Slippage: If staff members or customers use your asphalt driveway every day, the surface may be prone to slippage cracks. Oftentimes, when cars turn or brake frequently on aging asphalt, these crescent-shaped cracks are likely to appear.
Transverse: Transverse cracks also form as a result of extreme temperature changes. As water melts and freezes on asphalt surfaces, or inside pre-existing asphalt cracks, transverse cracks form and expand over time. Ultimately, this causes severe damage to your parking lot.
Longitudinal: These types of asphalt cracks form parallel to the centerline of your parking lot asphalt and may result from a number of issues. Though sometimes weather related, longitudinal cracks may also result from a poor initial asphalt installation or inconsistent maintenance.
Although noticing and identifying asphalt cracks is the first step towards preparing your parking lot for fall and wintertime, make sure to contact the professionals next. With the weather changing and cooling fast, you’ll want to move fast, too!
The folks at Gopher State Sealcoat are here for all of your Twin Cities asphalt crack repair needs, from routing to filling, and will help you understand what’s best for your commercial space. Give us a call today!
