Winter asphalt damage in Minnesota is a common problem that city and property managers should keep an eye on. 

The destructive forces of rain, snowmelt, and standing water are particularly rough on asphalt. When temperatures creep above freezing, the large amount of water sitting on your asphalt surface becomes a liability. Left unmanaged, this water may infiltrate your asphalt’s foundation, turning a small crack into a major problem by spring.

You may be wondering, “What should I do when I see puddles, slush, and water sitting on my asphalt after winter storms?” 

Bituminous Roadways, Inc. (BR) has over 75 years of experience in asphalt paving and repairs. That’s why we preach about asphalt maintenance and winterizing your pavement to protect its integrity as long as possible. Let’s take a look at what causes winter damage to asphalt surfaces and how to identify problems with your driveway or parking lot. 

Identifying Low Spots in Your Asphalt Surface

Standing water, or “ponding,” is the number one enemy of asphalt longevity. If you see puddles of water sitting in your parking lot or roads for more than 24 hours after a snowmelt, you likely have a drainage issue, which can be repaired with proper drainage corrections. 

When water sits on asphalt, it begins to break down the petroleum-based “glue” that holds the aggregate together. This can lead to raveling, where the surface becomes rough, and stones pop loose.

To monitor this issue, look for shallow depressions where water accumulates. If that accumulated water freezes overnight, it will expand, put immense pressure on the asphalt, and deepen the depression.

Spotting Alligator Cracking

Rapid snowmelt often reveals areas of “alligator cracking,” which appear as interconnecting cracks resembling reptilian scales. If you spot this, it means you have a base failure. When snowmelt saturates the gravel base under your asphalt, the ground becomes mushy. 

Asphalt is flexible and will bend under the weight of vehicles, eventually snapping itself into small, jagged patterns.

Alligator cracking cannot be fixed with a simple crack filler; we have to do full-depth patching for these areas. 

If you see this appear during a thaw, mark the area, as it is a high-risk zone for potholes. Avoid allowing vehicles to drive over the spot if you can.

Managing Edge Integrity + Snowbank Saturation

Another area to check during winter is the edges of your pavement, where the snowplows have piled up high banks of snow. As these massive piles melt, they release a constant stream of water directly into the side of your pavement. As most damage to asphalt occurs at the edges, the continuous saturation can wash away the supporting soil and seep under the asphalt. 

Ensure your downspouts are directed away from the pavement, and that snow piles are moved to lower-elevation areas, where the melt-off won’t run across the surface.

Looking for the “Freeze-Thaw” Wedge

Snowmelt and winter rain are particularly dangerous because they are highly mobile. Water will find every hairline crack and flow deep into your pavement. When rain or snowmelt enters a crack and freezes, it expands by about 9%. This acts like a hydraulic wedge, widening and deepening the crack. This problem is often called the freeze-thaw cycle.

Look for “heaving,” which is when sections of asphalt appear to be pushed upward. This indicates that ice has formed beneath your pavement and is physically lifting it.

Chemical Erosion From Salt & De-Icers 

While salt is necessary for safety during the winter, the combination of standing water and de-icing chemicals can accelerate wear and tear. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which is good for safety, but increases the number of freeze-thaw cycles the asphalt experiences in a single day.

To help with this problem, sweep up excess salt when the surface is dry. Heavy piles of salt left on asphalt through a melt-and-freeze cycle can pit the surface of the sealer and the asphalt itself.

Contact Bituminous Roadways, Inc for Expert Asphalt Repairs 

Unfortunately, cold-weather paving is a no-go. Our asphalt teams cannot operate or make asphalt during the winter, as asphalt plants do not open until the spring, and Minnesota enforces road weight restrictions that prevent heavy trucks from driving on the roads. 

The best course of action is to make note of the areas that are causing issues and holding water so we can repair them first thing in the spring.

If your asphalt has seen better days, contact Bituminous Roadways for expert asphalt paving that will survive the winter. Our local and experienced team will find the best time to repair or re-pave your asphalt surface when the weather warms up!

BR provides superior asphalt pavement solutions to customers throughout the Twin Cities metro area. For more than 75 years, BR has been dedicated to safety, innovation, improvement, environmental stewardship, and most importantly, superior customer service.

Schedule a consultation with us today! You’ll save yourself springtime headaches and prevent future problems with your asphalt in the winter.