No matter who installed your asphalt surface, regular maintenance and winter prep are essential for prolonging its lifespan. By taking a proactive approach to commercial asphalt maintenance, you can protect your investment, particularly when dealing with Minnesota’s harsh winters. 

Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles are particularly harsh, which makes proper pavement protection non-negotiable. If you’ve never maintained your asphalt surfaces in the fall, it’s time to update your preventative maintenance program. 

Bituminous Roadways, Inc. provides detailed information on the steps to take before the first snowfall, helping you prevent minor pavement issues from becoming significant projects come spring. 

Avoid costly repairs and resurfacing with our tips for fall asphalt maintenance! 

Prevent Freeze-Thaw Damage With Patching & Crack

The freeze-thaw cycle is the primary cause of asphalt deterioration:

  • Water seeps into tiny cracks and pores in the pavement, such as melting ice and snow.

  • Then, when the temperature drops, the water freezes and expands, which widens the cracks. 

  • When the weather warms up again and the ice thaws, the process repeats, causing the cracks to grow deeper and larger over time. 

Targeted cracksealing and patching provide the best defense against this damaging process. Crack filling seals off openings before water can penetrate, while patching restores the integrity of damaged pavement areas. Together, these maintenance steps prevent moisture intrusion and extend the lifespan of your asphalt surface.

Taking care of minor damage now can save you from major repairs later!

Stop Water From Reaching the Asphalt Sub-Base

While sealcoating addresses surface cracks, it is also crucial to prevent water from entering the sub-base of the pavement through larger cracks and unsealed edges. 

When water gets underneath the asphalt, it can compromise the subgrade, which is the foundation of your pavement. During freezing temperatures, this trapped water freezes and expands, pushing up on the pavement from below and causing it to buckle. This creates cracks and potholes. 

Once the sub-base is compromised, the pavement loses its structural integrity and can quickly fall apart. Call your local asphalt repair experts before it’s too late!

How our pros prevent asphalt damage from escalating beyond repair:

When to Repair Asphalt Surfaces

While it is possible to repair asphalt cracks after winter, you will have to wait until the average high temperature is above 41 degrees. Any lower and the repairs will not set properly. 

BR recommends waiting until at least April to repair cracks in your pavement.  

Identify Better Snow Storage Areas

Managing snow is a major part of your winter operations, but where you store snow can have a significant impact on your pavement. 

When you plow the snow on your pavement, consider these tips for storage:

  • Avoid placing snow in poor drainage areas, such as low-lying areas

  • Choose high, well-drained areas where melting snow will be directed away from the pavement into the storm sewer system

  • Clear drains and catch basins to prevent clogs and promote proper drainage

Perform an Annual Pavement Assessment

Another preventative maintenance tip is to perform an annual pavement assessment. Doing this before fall can help identify potential problems going into winter, and allows you time to repair and fix those problems before the cold weather sets in. 

If you need assistance with this, BR is always happy to visit your location and provide a thorough assessment of your pavement. 

  • Pro Tip: Fall is the perfect time to budget for long-term pavement repairs, so inspect your asphalt for problems and schedule repairs as soon as possible!

Preventative Asphalt Maintenance Saves Money!

Bituminous Roadways, Inc. (BR) brings over 75 years of experience in asphalt construction and repairs in the Twin Cities, and we can help you protect your pavement through sealcoating, pothole repairs, cracksealing, and more. 

Scheduling your asphalt repairs in the fall with a company like BR can save you thousands of dollars in the future. With proper maintenance and care, your parking lots, walkways, and more will remain in good condition throughout Minnesota’s harsh winters, preventing additional repairs come spring. 

Schedule a consultation today and let us show you the difference our experience can make.