If your pavement has broken down, then it is time to get a professional on the job. Leaving it to its own devices ensures that your repairs will be more costly and time-consuming. Fixing your asphalt as soon as you can is important. However, if you try to schedule a fix-up when you are out of asphalt season, then the work done to your pavement could do more harm than good. So what is asphalt season, and why does it matter? Let’s go over some of the basics and a fall asphalt maintenance checklist, so you can feel confident in any repairs or paving you plan to do.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Lay Asphalt?
Spring and Summer are, without a doubt, the best time of year to lay asphalt. The hotter seasons provide the optimal weather conditions for asphalt mix. If you were unaware, asphalt mix needs to be heated up before it is placed down. If it cools off too fast, then you are going to encounter a lot of problems when trying to place it down. Unfortunately, this means that the colder temperatures make it almost impossible to pave your driveways or parking lots.
Because the asphalt mix cools off too fast in the winter, there is almost never an instance in which you can redo a property completely. Summer has the most ideal temperatures for paving your lot. If you can schedule your paving job for summer, then you are going to be much happier with the end result.
Is Asphalt Good In The Winter?
As we’ve already discussed, laying down asphalt is not a good idea in the winter. Despite that, it is important to note that asphalt repairs are possible in the winter. Cold mix asphalt can be used regardless of the temperature outside. Using cold mix to fill in cracks and perform repairs, while convenient, should not be your go-to. The cold mix is less durable and has a shorter lifespan than the standard mix. This means you will not be able to repave a whole property in the winter months. Instead, you should repair the problem spots with cold mix and wait until spring to start your larger projects.
Getting In Touch Ahead Of Time
Before you are far along in the asphalt season, you should schedule your maintenance. Getting in touch with a company far ahead of time guarantees that you will be the first in line for repaving. Although scheduling in the middle of winter might seem like overkill, it is going to pay off in the long run. Bearing that in mind, it is time to begin researching asphalt companies near you so you can find a trusted professional who will give you what you need.
Checklist for Fall Asphalt Maintenance
Before winter arrives and your asphalt has to endure harsher elements, you should have an asphalt maintenance plan. Failure to do upkeep in the fall can lead to issues in the winter that will be hard to address in the snowy weather. If you want your best shot at making it through the season, here is a short checklist for fall asphalt maintenance.
Cleaning
Cleaning your asphalt pavement consistently can help its longevity and durability. Loose debris can crack the surface if driven over. However, even small things can cause lasting damage if not addressed. Sticks and leaves can get wedged into the cracks in your asphalt, causing further deterioration. Cleaning the surface can also prepare you for the next step.
Inspection
Before you blindly start repairing and filling in your asphalt’s cracks, you should do a thorough inspection. This is because damages can sometimes be easy to miss. An example of something you could miss is the small divots that form in your asphalt over time. These can quickly become potholes that collect water and are rough to drive over, so you should address them early.
As mentioned before, cleaning before you commence an inspection will increase your chances of finding any smaller issues that form in your asphalt. Look carefully and call in a professional if you’re unsure whether or not there are any problematic spots.
Repair
After you’ve inspected and identified the problems that your asphalt has, the next step in fall asphalt maintenance is to repair it. This may seem like a no-brainer. However, many people choose to simply ignore a crack or two, thinking there won’t be any long-term consequences. Asphalt is an easy and cheap material to repair, so schedule the necessary maintenance as soon as possible. Waiting until winter means you won’t be able to properly repair asphalt even if you wanted to due to the cold temperatures.
Sealcoat
The final step is to sealcoat your asphalt after everything is repaired. Doing so creates a protective layer between the surface of your asphalt and anything that could damage it. Sealcoating will also keep snow and slush from resting on top of your asphalt all winter, meaning that water damage will be minimal once it melts. Overall, sealcoating annually is a great way to protect your asphalt and increase its lifespan.
Have More Questions?
You can count on Walt’s Paving to complete your residential or commercial paving project in an efficient and timely manner. We have over 40 years of experience paving asphalt driveways, making asphalt repairs, and seal coating asphalt. We are located in Osceola, IN and service homeowners and businesses within 50 miles of Elkhart, IN. If you have any further questions regarding our services, do not hesitate to contact us today.
