Pre-Winter Maintenance Tips for Safer Asphalt Surfaces

Before the Year Ends, Be Sure To:

Repair Asphalt Cracks to Prevent Spread

Cracks may look small, but they are the fastest path to serious asphalt repairs once winter settles in. Parking lot crack repair is the smartest move while temperatures are still mild. This gives the material a chance to bond properly and block water from seeping through. When neglected cracks widen and multiply, which can lead to sections of pavement losing their structure.

Asphalt crack sealing is also a good idea for commercial property owners because it protects the base layer under the pavement. Once that base becomes saturated, weakening begins from the bottom up. That type of damage requires far more than commercial asphalt repair services. It often leads straight to repaving a parking lot, which is a cost no business wants to deal with during the busy winter season.

Patch Any Potholes Ahead of Freeze & Thaw Cycles

Potholes are more than an inconvenience. They can cause liability issues and damage delivery trucks, customer vehicles, or maintenance equipment. Fixing potholes before freezing temperatures arrive helps stop moisture from sitting inside those cavities and expanding. The deeper the water goes, the more the surrounding pavement shifts and breaks apart.

Asphalt patching is one of the most effective ways to handle potholes during fall. It blends new asphalt with the existing surface, creating a smooth, strong repair. This approach is ideal for parking lots that see steady traffic, making closing for full paving difficult. When handled early, pothole repairs reduce the risk of taking on more extensive parking lot paving around damaged areas.

Prioritize Asphalt Sealcoating

Asphalt sealcoating provides a critical layer of defense once winter weather rolls in. It shields the pavement from oxidation, moisture, deicing chemicals, and traffic wear. Choosing professional sealcoating for a parking lot is also a smart way to refresh the surface and improve traction as the colder months begin. The best time to sealcoat a parking lot is during fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm enough for the coating to cure properly.

Sealcoating also prepares the surface for fresh parking lot striping. Clear markings help control traffic flow and reduce accidents during dark winter mornings and evenings. Combined with early crack repair, a sealed surface keeps your asphalt stronger and better aligned with long term maintenance goals.

Identify When New Paving (Not Repairs) Is Needed

Not all surfaces can be saved with patches and sealcoat. Some parking lots need more than basic asphalt repairs to make it through winter without crumbling. When asphalt is too far gone, paving becomes the safer, long term option. Doing this during fall sets up the new surface to settle properly and handle the stress of winter without premature cracking.

Commercial properties with drainage issues should also consider catch basin repair before snowfall. A damaged catch basin allows water to pool, freeze, and push against the pavement. Proper drainage supports every other step of scheduling asphalt maintenance and helps the entire surface last longer.