As the leaves’ colors start to take on a warmer hue and the temperatures cool down – you know it’s time to get your asphalt paved surfaces ready for the New England Winter. That means the snow, ice, road salt, and chilly temperatures that lie ahead. The change from Fall to Winter often creates periods of freezing and thawing as temperatures fluctuate above and below freezing, back and forth – especially in New England. Water can seep into all the cracks and crevices, then freeze, the ice then expands causing larger cracking and other damage. That’s why driveway maintenance is so important in the Fall. There are some measures you can take this fall to make sure your driveway is looking its best year-round.
That being said here are some pro tips you can use to prepare your asphalt paved surfaces for the brutal New England winter weather.
Clean the surface
Pressure washing your paved surface removes dirt, debris, chemicals, and petroleum products that can otherwise be carried into cracks and cause additional damage. Pressure washing also adds to the curb appeal of your driveway and/or parking lot. This is something you should be doing on a regular basis, but it’s especially important before you have any other type of maintenance done. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to clearly see what type of wear and tear exists on the paved surface if it’s covered with leaves, dirt, or other debris.
Protect Your Edges
An important but often overlooked step in asphalt maintenance – edge your driveway to keep grass and weeds from invading and creating cracks that invite moisture into the material, opening it up to permanent damage. Closeby tree roots are also a big culprit for damage. Even though they grow slowly, the damage can creep up on you.
Identify Potential Issues
You may not be a professional paving contractor, but you should be able to see any obvious signs that your paved surface is damaged. Look for things like visible cracking, crumbling, flaking, potholes, or depressions in the pavement where water is collecting. This includes even tiny cracks. Any of these are probably signs that your pavement needs to be repaired – small problems can quickly cascade into worse ones. Make a list of items that need to be addressed. Knowing is half the battle.
Sealcoating
Sealcoating is crucial for your asphalt driveway during the long, cold winter months. It creates a barrier against moisture and prolongs the life of your asphalt pavement. It also enhances the asphalt’s appearance and color. Sealcoating should be done every 2 to 3 years. Unsealed asphalt is susceptible to cracks which, if left untreated, can result in costly repairs of potholes or sub-layers.
Get Professional Help
This one may seem a bit on the nose, but it’s much more important than you’d imagine. It’s always a good idea to have a trained professional handle the repairs for you. While it’s possible to purchase some type of patching material from a home store and do it yourself, improperly repaired pavement can make it even more susceptible to becoming further damaged later on.
When it comes to protecting your pavement investment, there’s no better time to perform preventive maintenance than the fall.
If you need to maintain your lot or driveway or pave a brand new one, we are equipped to turn your vision into reality!
Why Hartford Paving?
Our goal at Hartford Paving & Site Construction is to provide lasting quality, superior value, and professional service – all the while building long-term relationships with our customers. Our family has over 40 years of experience servicing Rhode Island, and all of our employees are experienced in all degrees of pavement construction and materials applications. Our experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly staff will be happy to assist you with your next paving, asphalt, or construction project.
We take great pride in every single one of our projects, whether it’s commercial, residential, large, or small. Whether your humble family of four or a fortune 500 company – you can trust Hartford Paving & Site Construction to take good care of you. If you need to maintain your lot or driveway or pave a brand new one, we are equipped to turn your vision into reality!
For more information or a free estimate, call us at 401-942-8857 or submit an inquiry on our website http://www.hartfordpaving.com/.
