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how winter can hurt your asphalt driveway

Weather can have an effect on the life of asphalt.

Erickson AsphaltMay 18, 2019

Cold weather, hot weather, wet weather and dry weather all have different effects on asphalt.

• Cold Weather – The cold, extreme Minnesota temps of winter months cause the ground to move and the asphalt shifts. This causes the asphalt to contract and crack. To combat these cold winter months, a hot mix is used because it is engineered to withstand the freeze and thaw cycle and it isn’t affected by salt.

• Wet Weather – Many Minneapolis asphalt driveways and parking lots are designed for water to flow away from high traffic areas. There is a porous asphalt mix that is made to allow water to run through it, which allows water to not build up and returns to the water table.

• Dry Weather – In extreme dry weather asphalt and concrete surfaces that are not properly maintained can build up with oil and dust. A slight drizzle or mist on these surfaces can cause the driveway or parking lot to become slippery, because the water and surface debris combine to make a thin liquid film. Sealcoating and other regular maintenance on the asphalt helps to prevent buildup of debris and helps the driveway withstand dry days.

• Hot Weather – in the summer months the sun and UV rays may cause asphalt to fade and deteriorate the surface. Small waves and soft spots may occur during extremely hot temperatures. Proper asphalt installation and sealcoating will help with the protection from warm temps and UV rays.

Mother Nature can affect any road surface, asphalt included. It is important to properly care and maintain your asphalt to help prolong the life of your asphalt especially against harsh weather conditions.

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