Some of you might think that your asphalt is “strong” enough to handle all of Mother Nature’s challenges, but is that really the case? Well, in reality, nothing is stronger than Mother Nature, which includes your asphalt pavement. The various extreme weather conditions can slowly damage your asphalt, especially if you don’t properly take care of your pavement. So, how does Mother Nature affect your asphalt?
Hot Weather
The sun’s glare and piercing UV rays during the hot summer months have the ability to fade asphalt and speed up pavement deterioration. Greater UV exposure causes your asphalt to oxidize. You will observe a coating of sizzling oil on top of the pavement surface if you’ve ever examined it in direct sunlight. Over-oxidation of the pavement leaves it much more fragile and susceptible to cracks and heaving in the future by allowing light oils to interact with heavy oils to pierce it.
Moreover, on particularly hot days, the asphalt’s surface may develop soft areas and little waves. To guarantee that your pavement surface is shielded from heated weather and sun radiation, it is important to think about good asphalt installation and to provide a regular seal coating.
Cold and Wet Weather
Asphalt can get damaged and crack at extremely low temperatures, affecting the lifespan of the pavement. In the winter, the ground breathes, expanding and contracting with the asphalt, which inevitably affects the asphalt pavement and causes cracks in it. Additionally, the pavement will deteriorate even more quickly the faster the temperature drops because more pressure will accumulate beneath the asphalt. This is why it’s important that the materials and the way it is placed should match your geographical region. This will ensure that your pavement matches your area’s weather.
Moreover, because asphalt is naturally porous, which makes it flexible during installation, rainwater or other environmental moisture tends to get trapped in it. And when wintertime comes, any water or moisture stuck inside becomes a block of ice, essentially lifting it or any surface around it.
Hot-mix asphalt pavement is frequently utilized to counteract the chilly winter months and guarantee your pavement stays intact since it is designed to endure the freeze-thaw cycle and is unaffected by salts or even other de-icing products.
Dry Weather
Normally, the dry season has no effect on asphalt; however, a dry asphalt surface with light rain can present several driving risks. This is because when the pavement is not properly cleaned, debris, oil, and dust can accumulate on the surface, which then can make the surface slick and slippery when rained on.
How to Protect Your Pavement?
Well, the best way you can protect your pavement from extreme weather conditions is by regularly maintaining it. This means you have to regularly clean the surface, check for any cracks, and, of course, apply a seal coating.
Final Thoughts
Mother Nature’s extreme weather can really be rough on your pavement, but there are ways you can reduce the negative effect it brings to your pavement. So, take care of your pavement, and its life will be prolonged.