Just like with vehicles and mechanical systems, preventative maintenance is crucial for the long-term health of your asphalt surfaces to keep them in good, durable condition for years to come. While there will be a lot of asphalt maintenance steps you’ll want to take in the spring after winter has run its course, there are also some steps you can take in the fall (as weather allows) to protect your pavement before winter fully settles in and the regular freezing and thawing cycles begin to occur.
With this in mind, here are a few tips for autumn asphalt protection in Philadelphia, PA.
Fill cracks
Cracks of all sizes can quickly become major problems if you fail to fill them. When there are cracks in the pavement, rainwater and moisture can seep down into the base layers that hold up the pavement. If that sub-base gets damaged, it becomes more likely that the cracks will expand and/or that potholes will begin to form. The larger the cracks and holes, the more at risk the area is for water getting in and wreaking havoc on the structural integrity of the pavement. Therefore, it’s a good idea to prevent this small damage from becoming larger ahead of winter. You can protect your pavement from moisture falling below and freezing, hopefully lessening the amount of repair work you have to do in the spring once the freezing cycles are over.
Improve runoff
Have you noticed water pooling in certain places on your driveway or sidewalks? If so, that could potentially mean you have an uneven top layer of asphalt. It might just mean the area was not paved properly, but it could also be an indication of a problem with the sub-base. Whatever the issue, uneven areas with pooling water are much more likely to result in potholes, and during the winter months, these are areas where ice can quickly build up, resulting in safety hazards for people on your property. You can patch the area to make a level surface and improve water runoff, or use porous asphalt to allow water to run through the asphalt and sub-base and back down into the ground.
Sealcoating
Asphalt should be resealed every three to five years to protect its long-term viability and durability. Generally, the best time of year to do this is anywhere from the late spring to the early fall, but as long as the nighttime temperature is at least 50 degrees, you should be able to get the job done. It’s best to do it before the leaves begin to fall so they don’t cause any extra challenges with getting the sealcoating done. If it’s too late for you to get your sealcoating done this fall, make sure you prioritize it once the weather warms up in the spring so you have a protected asphalt surface all summer long.
For more information about autumn asphalt protection in Philadelphia, PA and the steps you should take, contact the team at Philly Concrete & Asphalt Paving, Inc. today.