Laying Down the Pavement

Should You Avoid Winter Asphalt Repairs?

22 June 2023 by Clifton Sullivan

Asphalt makes for a highly durable and long-lasting driving surface, and its suitability for numerous climates means it's popular in many areas nationwide. Unfortunately, no material is impervious to damage. As your asphalt driveway ages, you'll likely notice cracks, potholes, or other issues. Even new asphalt can suffer from these problems when abused or poorly maintained.

Unfortunately, asphalt failures tend to accelerate. Once a crack or pothole allows moisture to seep into the foundation of your driveway, more serious problems will occur. When these problems appear in winter, knowing what to do can be challenging. This guide will discuss the pros and cons of winter asphalt repair and make a few recommendations to help you extend the life of your driveway.

Why Does the Weather Affect Asphalt Repairs?

If you've ever watched workers pouring new asphalt, you've probably noticed the steam rising off the road. Asphalt is hot! Fresh asphalt can be over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don't want to get any hot mix on your shoes. Asphalt gradually cools during the paving process, and cold weather can cause it to cool too quickly and become unusable.

Major asphalt repairs and repaving typically require hot mix asphalt, which requires outdoor temperatures to be above a minimum level. While you can perform this work in colder environments to a point, the quality of the final product will typically suffer. Fortunately, most driveway problems won't require extensive asphalt repairs.

What Options Are Available for Winter Repairs?

Cold mix asphalt is an alternative to hot mix asphalt. Cold mixes don't require high temperatures, so they're more suitable when the weather turns cold. Unfortunately, cold mix asphalt does have some drawbacks. In general, these mixes don't produce a surface that is as strong or durable as hot mix asphalt, and you'll typically have to wait longer before you can drive or step on the repair.

However, these disadvantages don't prevent cold mix asphalt from being an excellent option for patches and repairs. Using cold mix asphalt to fix potholes or major cracks on your driveway will prevent rain and snowmelt from seeping into the surface, potentially creating major problems as the weather warms. In many cases, a cold mix asphalt repair will save you from far more expensive repairs in the future.

Do You Always Need to Repave Cold Mix Patches?

While cold mix isn't suitable for large repaving projects and won't necessarily last as long as a hot mix repair, you don't always need to return and repeat the job once the weather warms up. For small fixes in areas that don't see much traffic, the cold mix patch may be sufficient for more than one season. You'll often need to return and perform a more permanent repair for larger jobs.

In every case, working with an experienced paving contractor is the best way to ensure an effective and long-lasting fix. Your contractor will be able to determine if your issue requires immediate attention or if you can wait for warmer weather to perform repairs, allowing you to choose the option that provides a cost-effective way to protect your driveway. Contact a company that handles asphalt repairs to learn more.

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