Construction season in the Twin Cities, MN will be in full swing as soon as the melt begins, but it can be frustrating as a business owner to see the ice melt away and find devastation in its wake. Asphalt damage is, in some ways, an unavoidable part of winter life in Minnesota, but with Gopher State Sealcoat on your side, you can survive the common pitfalls of asphalt care in our brutally diverse climate.
Asphalt damage is a natural product of the freeze-thaw cycle.
No matter how innovative you are with your parking lot construction and how dedicated you may be to ensuring that your property is de-iced, our climate is one that goes through a lot of cycles. The freeze and thaw cycle in particular is a major contributor to asphalt damage in the Twin Cities. Unless your property has fully integrated heated lots, you will probably find yourself in need of seasonal sealcoating whenever we go through a particularly brutal winter. Even though we can’t change the weather, you can still take precautions when trying to prevent asphalt damage on your property.
Heavy vehicles can increase damage to asphalt during the colder months.
Preventing asphalt damage sometimes means making tough calls, and asking large vehicles to steer clear of your lot may be one of them. Repeated visits from heavy trucks and machinery can do a number on even the sturdiest asphalt. If you want your sealcoating to stay strong through the winter, consider creating a load limit for your lot or switching from large plows to smaller, more lightweight equipment. You don’t necessarily have to shovel by hand, but cutting down on repeat exposures can help.
Salt, salt, salt!
Of course, our greatest protector can also be one of our greatest foes! Despite the fact that salt is what helps us get around in the winter, once it hits the pavement, it can cause other problems. When salt melts ice, the water has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is usually into small cracks in the pavement. During the freeze-thaw cycle, water that seeps into cracks will refreeze, contributing to expanding cracks and faults in the asphalt. If you’re committed to keeping your asphalt walkways and lots completely ice-free with salt, you may find yourself with asphalt damage come spring.
If you’d like to keep your business lots pristine year-round and are hesitant to forgo salt and heavy cars, Gopher State Sealcoat can help. Our sealcoating solutions take the unique road conditions of the Twin Cities into account throughout our asphalt damage repair process. Our goal is to bolster, protect, and prevent cracks and faults from occurring as best as possible. Our sealcoating experts can help you keep your lots intact, even when the world seems to be working against you.
Twin Cities, MN area business owners can contact Gopher State Sealcoat today at (952) 931-9188 or visit our website for additional information. If you’re noticing winter asphalt damage and would like to plan ahead for after the big melt, we‘ll be happy to provide a free estimate for the project.
