Temperature fluctuations, snowfall, and plowing are all hard on asphalt paving. Over time these extreme temperature swings coupled with the everyday wear-and-tear from vehicles can cause asphalt to develop fissures or even dangerous potholes.

These potholes are bad enough in their own right, but when left untreated they can create even larger vulnerabilities. So, when are potholes most likely to develop and worsen?

You tend to notice a lot of potholes in the latter part of winter as well as the beginning of the spring season as this is the time of the year in which asphalt is combating the heaviest amounts of excess water and thawing.

Too much water and extreme temperature fluctuations don’t do any favors to asphalt, yet there is something you can do about damage that’s already occurred.

Cold Mix Asphalt for Potholes

Cold mix asphalt is made in pug mills by combining asphalt emulsions with aggregates designed to increase the integrity of your asphalt.

Because cold mix asphalt can be made to provide a coarser, stonier asphalt binder with a very high load factor or be used as a base or leveler, cold mix asphalt makes a great all-purpose material to work with. Cold mix is also extremely ego-friendly.

• Proven track record

For this reason, cold mix asphalt is also ideal for filling in potholes. Cold mix asphalt is actually quite flexible yet, because of how it’s constructed, also extremely durable and resistant to damage from the freeze-thaw cycle that can ravage your property in the late winter and early spring.

Cold mix asphalt already has a long track record of being used for temporary patching, even in the winter time. One of the reasons that many engineers and paving services actually prefer cold mix to hot mix asphalt is that cold mix can be used at lower temperatures and stored for later use if needed.

Whenever hot mix asphalt is hard to come by, or when conditions drop below a certain temperature, cold mix asphalt is the go-to material for maintaining roads and filling in potholes, especially from November to February.

• How it works

Because cold mix asphalt combines bitumen emulsion, cold aggregates designed for tough conditions, and even anti-stripping materials, it can be used in a wider range of weather conditions.

Not only that – cold mix asphalt is seen as easier to work with and more flexible than its hot mix counterpart due to the fact that cold mix asphalt has a longer cure time.

Although cold mix asphalt is already lab designed and tested to provide the best combination of flexibility and durability, different additives can be combined to the mix in order to render cold mix asphalt the perfect solution for your next project.

Cold mix asphalt can even be formulated to provide a long-term solution to improving the integrity of rural roads and parking lots to their original condition. In short, cold mix asphalt is very ease to work with, durable and can even be stored for months until you need another pothole filled.

• Cold mix exceeds expectations

Some people might be wondering about how cold mix asphalt holds up against hot mix asphalt in terms of meeting design guidelines.

Know that cold mix asphalt is resilient to cracking and fatigue and even has the capacity to self-heal. In addition, cold mix asphalt can be formulated to match the high AASHTO standards established for hot mix asphalt.

Make sure to regularly check your parking lot or home driveway for fissures and potholes. Too many potholes can even be a sign that your asphalt needs a sealcoating or routine spring maintenance. Contact us today to make sure your free of potholes and you have a grade A driveway or parking lot.

The bitter cold temperatures of winter can definitely do a number on an asphalt parking lot. Cracks spread easier, painted lines fade, and the overall stark black color, turns an ugly gray. If you’re up to your neck in dealing with other spring cleaning property issues, it’s easy to understand why giving your parking lot a “clean slate,” might not be something you’re jumping at the chance to have done. Nevertheless, in order to extend it’s lifespan, a parking lot restoration is highly recommended.

The walk-through

The first thing you ought to do before you have the actual paving done, is to do a simple walk-through of the parking lot. Generally, you may notice that your parking lot may need some repairs, but take the time to cracking patterns, spalling etc. Take a few notes, so you can explain some of the problems to the paving contractors before they come by. Your local commercial paving contractors will do there own walk-through of course, but it’s always good to give them a heads up on what they’re going to be dealing with.

Calling the paving contractor

Your paving contractors won’t only find a way to deal with the “here-and-now” problems of your asphalt parking lot, they will create a long-term plan of attack, so that your parking will continue to be in good shape for years to come. Many paving companies will work with you to create a maintenance program, prioritizing what needs to be addressed right now, versus a few months down the line.

Starting the parking lot restoration

Patching

With a long-term plan in place, the current repairs are ready to commence. One of the most common jobs in a parking lot restoration is a “cut-and-patch.” This techique helps target specific problem areas, like a pothole, for instance. The paving contractors jackhammer the damaged areas, before putting in new processed stone, and covering it with a thick layer of asphalt.

Overlaying

Although many people think that overlaying is a quick, effective fix to asphalt deterioration, it can sometimes be a big waste of money. If your parking lot is generally in good shape, then, overlaying might be a good solution for getting it in better shape, but if the pavement is already faced with serious problems, overlaying can actually create reflexive cracking – making things worse. If you’re looking for a temporary fix, and an aesthetic make-over for the time being, a simple “overlay,” might be appropriate.

Seal-coating

Seal-coating basically reduces the ultraviolet effects on pavement. Seal coating prevents the pavement from turning gray, and it also helps it maintain its oils and elasticity. The procedures is usually done for preventative maintenance, and when the parking lot is around a year old. Each seal coating procedure should be designed specifically for the parking lot. It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all type of procedure.

Crack Filling

Crack filling is another very common type of parking lot repair. This type of procedure is done to  prevent water from entering into the cracks, and penetrating into the subgrade of your pavement, which will cause further damage. If you have a pavement that is in decent condition but you have a few visible cracks, filling those cracks to prevent water infiltration is key to extending its lifespan.

Taking care of problems before they’re problems

Overall, just an annual pavement maintenance is the secret to a healthy and long lasting parking lot. If you have any questions about this, your local commercial paving contractors would certainly be able to help you.

If you are in need of a parking lot rehabilitation, don’t hesitate to contact Dykes Paving, your number one commercial paving contractors in Atlanta.