Impact of Weather on Asphalt
An asphalt parking lot is tough and durable but that doesn’t mean it is invincible. Weather and time are two of its biggest foes. If all goes well, a parking lot should look good for many years, though eventually time will have its say and the lot will need repairs or repaving. Weather can also affect an asphalt surface, with the cold rainy months creating the most havoc. Temperature changes and cycles of heat and cold have an impact as well. To get the most out of your lot and to keep it smooth and attractive, it’s important to plan for repairs and regular inspections.
The Impact of Cold
A spell of freezing weather can be hard on asphalt in many ways. This is especially true if small cracks have already begun to form in the surface. This allows water to seep into the fissures and then expand to widen the cracks. This combination of factors causes the following to occur in asphalt:
- Cracks
- Fissures
- Potholes
- Crumbling
- Bulging
- Unevenness
When a parking lot is in bad shape it presents an obstacle to visitors both inside their vehicles and outside. It can also result in standing water, which exacerbates the problem of freezing.
The Effect of Rain
Rain will find the cracks in your parking lot and seep down into lower layers. In areas of steep terrain, the rain can also have the impact of washing away protective layers of liquid asphalt little by little. This liquid layer is important because it bonds the building blocks of rock and aggregate together. The end result is a weakened surface that often leads to crumbling.
There are two main ways to prevent this damage from cold, rain, and heat. The first is enacting repairs that get rid of the cracks. The second way is to seal your asphalt every couple of years. To learn more about maintenance for your commercial parking lot contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today!
