Winter Damage to Asphalt and How to Fix It

Visitors to a business in Windber, PA are forming a judgment about you long before they reach a door. That first look at your parking lot is just one reason why commercial asphalt paving matters so much to the property it supports. How Commercial Asphalt Paving Improves a Business Property in Windber, PA Visitor Perception Because the parking lot is the first ground a customer, tenant, inspector, or delivery driver actually sees and interacts with, its condition colors their further interactions with you. A smooth, dark, evenly graded surface makes the place look kept, while a web of cracks, faded paint, and standing water suggests that asphalt maintenance might not be the only things your business is neglecting. Safety and Liability Broken pavement, potholes, and abrupt edges on the curbs chew up people's tires and harm their vehicle suspensions. Those same issues can catch a pedestrian's foot and cause them to trip or hold water that turns to slippery ice once the temperature drops. Water that sits too long in a depression expands during freezes, pries the mat up from below, and eventually leaves a hole that a delivery truck will drop into. Small faults like these can become hazards that damage equipment, put people at risk, and make you liable for injuries and damage. Winter Wear In a climate that crosses the freezing point ma ny times each year, as ours does, water that can get in through a crack or hole and find the base expands when it freezes and then leaves a void when it thaws. This frost heave means the surface gradually loses support and settles into the low spots. This tears up the pavement and shortens its useful life, meaning you'll have to replace it earlier than you'd like. The Benefits of Maintenance Paying for upkeep and maintenance while the pavement can still function costs a lot less than waiting until a total reconstruction is the only option left. A dollar spent while the surface is still sound can save on the order of four to ten dollars in later rehabilitation. A well-built lot that sees modest traffic shouldn't need a sealcoat for about two to five years, depending on the climate and on how tightly the original mat was compacted. After that window, a sealcoat and hot-poured crack fill will slow down the oxidation of the pavement surface and close up any hairline openings that let water in. If you skip those steps for several seasons and the binder grows brittle, the same lot that might have served you for twenty years or more will need to be replaced in less than 10. Windber, PA Asphalt Specialists If your pavement is showing signs of wear, don't wait too long. Contact the top-rated asphalt paving and maintenance company in Pennsylvania, Laurel Asphalt, today for an inspection and a free quote. We proudly serve residential and commercial customers in Johnstown, Somerset, Bedford, Windber, Altoona, Ebensburg and surrounding areas.

In Pennsylvania, timing is everything with driveway repair. Contact us for help here in the Johnstown, PA area, and we can help you plan ahead so things go smoothly and you enjoy long-lasting results. Johnstown, PA Weather and Your Driveway Pennsylvania's climate throws a lot at your driveway. We get cold winters with plenty of snow followed by wet springs, hot summers, and then falls that bring rain before the next freeze. These patterns create freeze-thaw cycles that do real damage: Water first sneaks into small cracks Then it freezes and expands When it then melts, it leaves bigger gaps The process repeats and repeats until a crack becomes a pothole Cracks that formed during winter will show up clearly once the ice is gone. Then, the summer heat comes along and makes asphalt more flexible: and that's when it's the perfect time to repair. The material bonds better when it's warm like that. Fall offers cooler but still workable temperatures before the ground freezes again, but winter is the most challenging time for scheduling any big work. That's because the cold slows the curing process and freezing moisture causes more problems. Why Spring Might Not Always Be Ideal Many people think spring is the natural time for driveway work because that's when the winter damage becomes visible. But early spring often brings wet ground and unpredictable rain. Your repair crew will need stable, dry conditions to prepare the base properly. Late spring, once overnight temperatures stay consistently above 50°F, is the time to start scheduling work. Summer's Sweet Spot Summer usually brings the most reliable conditions a repair here in Pennsylvania. Longer days, warmer temperatures, and a lower chance of major storms let the work move efficiently. The asphalt stays pliable enough to bond well with existing pavement, and the base stays dry so long as you plan around the forecast. Fall Possibilities Early fall usually offers another good window before the real cold sets in, if you're just not able to get it done in the summer. Temperatures usually stay moderate, and the ground normally holds steady. September and October often provide some dry spells that work well for repairs. You want to finish major work before nighttime lows drop too consistently, though. Winter Emergency Repairs Winter is never the best time for a planned driveway repair. That said, we handle emergency pothole and utility repairs year-round when safety becomes an issue. If a big hole appears after a storm or heavy use, some quick action can prevent vehicle damage and help your driveway hold on until a permanent fix can be applied. Signs You Need Repair: Visible cracks that spider out or run along the length of the drive Potholes or sunken areas Edges breaking away, especially near the lawn Water pooling after rain Faded or rough surface texture Loose gravel coming up Schedule your repair during the window that gives the best conditions. Contact us at Laurel Asphalt now for a quote. We serve the Johnstown, Somerset, and Altoona areas and beyond.

In Somerset, PA and the nearby areas, our winter freeze-thaw cycles and summer heat can tear a asphalt driveway apart very quickly. Applying a sealcoat on the right schedule is one of the best ways to prevent cracking and get the full lifespan out of your driveway. Sealcoat Schedule for Somerset, PA Driveways Most residential asphalt driveways need a fresh protective layer every two to three years, generally speaking. High-traffic surfaces or those that are constantly exposed to full sun and/or get frequent salt use will need to be done every two years. Lighter-use driveways in partial shade can go closer to three years before the surface starts to show age. How Does Our Climate Affect Things? Here in Pennsylvania, our winters push the schedule toward the more frequent side for most people, and that's important to know if you're researching this subject, as you might be getting information from other parts of the country. In PA, we typically get plenty of rain in the fall, and some water always seeps into tiny surface openings in the asphalt. When winter comes, that water freezes, expands, and widens the openings. Each freeze-thaw cycle repeats the process. What About Driveway Usage Patterns? A driveway that has two cars and occasional deliveries is going to last longer between coats than one that has to handle constant coming and going from three or four SUVs or trucks. Delivery trucks, trailers, or turning movements concentrate stress in the same spots, and those areas thin out first. Does Your Driveway Need It? You can tell the surface is ready for help when you see a shift from deep black to dull gray in the color. Also, look at whether water has stopped beading on the surface and is instead soaking in. Watch for fine cracks in the tire paths or along the edges. When the aggregate starts to show clearly from ten feet away, the previous layer has worn too thin. When's the Best Time to Get It Done? You need the air and surface temperatures to be above 50°F and rising, with no rain forecast for at least 24 to 48 hours, to lay down a coating. Late spring through early fall usually gives the longest stretch of suitable days. Just bear in mind that if the weather is cooler or damp, this prevents proper curing and can leave soft spots. Keeping Things Looking New You can lengthen the useful life of the entire pavement by combining regular sealing applications with simple cleaning. Sweep the surface on occasion, clean up any oil drips, keep the edges free of grass, and protect the surface from unusually heavy items when possible (like dumpster rentals, for example). Contact us today at Laurel Asphalt for a free estimate from PA's top-rated asphalt paving and maintenance company. We serve Johnstown, Somerset, Bedford, Windber, Altoona, and Ebensburg and beyond, as well as clients in West Virginia and Maryland. We've been serving Pennsylvania for over 25 years and are a PennDOT-approved contractor.