The winter season in the Twin Cities, MN area is days of low temperatures, ice, snow, slush, and an endless supply of road salt. While salt is the road treatment of choice to help keep traffic moving in extremely icy conditions, it also comes with a lot of infrastructural side effects. Property managers in the metro can prepare for the aftermath of salty winter conditions by planning their annual asphalt care and asphalt repair in advance, and Gopher State Sealcoat is now taking bids in preparation.
Why Salt and Asphalt Repair Don’t Mix
Winter’s salt isn’t Kryptonite when it comes to asphalt care, but it’s close. The salt itself is less of a hazard than the thawing and refreezing that it causes. The freeze-thaw cycle creates water that seeps into even the smallest openings, causing continuous expansion and contraction within the asphalt. This will lead to cracking, which can quickly worsen. Without proper annual maintenance, cracks will continue to expand until you find yourself with an asphalt surface pitted with potholes of all sizes.
Additionally, salt removal isn’t usually feasible in the middle of winter. You may begin the winter season without requiring any asphalt repair, but by the end of it, you may need to address serious damage. Furthermore, ignoring winter damage is a good way to end up with even more expensive repairs down the line.
Keeping Your Asphalt in Good Condition After a Salty Winter
Since proper asphalt care is next to impossible to perform when temperatures are below freezing, it’s important to plan ahead so you can get out in front of damage come spring. Regular asphalt repairs are crucial to reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries, vehicle damage, and asphalt degradation. Creating an annual asphalt care plan is the best way to ensure that your commercial asphalt surfaces are in great shape and accessible year-round, even during and after a particularly brutal winter.
Twin Cities, MN business owners and property managers interested in creating a consistent asphalt care plan can trust Gopher State Sealcoat to deliver the services and products required for the best asphalt repair and asphalt care available in the Twin Cities metro area. If you would like an estimate for your commercial asphalt maintenance needs, contact us at (952) 931-9188, send us an email, request a free estimate, or visit our website to find out more about our services.