How Will Snow Affect My Pavements?

The snow is already here in Indiana. Did you prepare your sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots properly? If not, you will likely begin to see the minor and major affects winter weather can have on our pavements. Not sure if this warning applies to you? Continue reading to learn how snow, ice, and cold temperatures can impact the overall quality and condition of your asphalt and concrete pavements.

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Commercial Pavement Repair 317-549-1833

Freeze Thaw Damages

Both asphalt and concrete are susceptible to freeze thaw damages under certain conditions. Concrete is a naturally porous pavement, which means water can permeate within its surface. When this happens in the winter, the water eventually freezes, causing the concrete to expand. When temperatures begin to rise in spring, the water melts within concrete, causing it to contract. This expansion and contraction process is known as freeze thaw cycles, and the damages they cause to pavements are wide ranging.

Although asphalt is not porous, without proper and routine sealcoating, moisture can seep inside and cause freeze thaw damage. The signs of freeze thaw damage on pavements will not really be evident until the snow melts. Sometimes, Indiana can experience snow all the way until spring. The most common effects of freeze thaw cycles on pavement include faded paint, potholes, cracks, alligator cracking, depressions, heaving, and more.

De-Icers

Another common winter threat to our pavements are also a widely-useful tool against slippery, wet surfaces. We are talking about de-icers. When using large amounts over a long period of time on concrete, deicers can cause pavement to deteriorate. Salt is harmful to concrete pavement because it is acidic, and acid can break down the bonds within concrete, leading to crumbling, cracks, and more. Furthermore, concrete pavement freezes faster than other pavements, which often leads to using more deicer. Also, concrete bridges and overpasses are generally constructed with steel; and overtime, steel corrodes from salt.

When it comes to asphalt pavements, deicers are fortunately not so harmful. Asphalt is not affected by deicers because of the way it is engineered. Hot-mix asphalt is contains customized proportions of aggregates like stone, sand, and petroleum, which enables it to withstand the regional environment it was mixed for.

Talk to a Skilled Indianapolis Pavement Contractor

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pavement repair and service in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete pavement repair and installation services at the most competitive prices in town, including crack filling, overlays, resurfacing, and sealcoating. Request a free estimate, today!