Long Island winters can leave asphalt with cracks, potholes, rough areas and standing water. Freezing temperatures can widen small cracks. Snow and ice add moisture to weak pavement. Snow plows may scrape damaged edges or loose asphalt. Heavy traffic can make those areas worse. Some winter damage only needs crack sealing or patching. Other damage may involve the pavement base. Checking the parking lot after winter helps you find problems early. Drainage maintenance and timely repairs can also prevent small defects from turning into larger pavement failures.
Key Takeaways:
- Inspect for Long Island winter asphalt damage: Look for new cracks, potholes, standing water, uneven pavement and damage around curbs and drains.
- Repair small defects early: Crack sealing and pothole repairs can keep water from reaching deeper pavement layers.
- Keep water away from damaged areas: Clear drains and correct drainage problems before repairing the asphalt.
- Know when repairs are not enough: Widespread cracking, recurring potholes and soft pavement may require resurfacing or reconstruction.
How Do Long Island Winters Damage Asphalt?
Winter weather puts extra stress on asphalt that already has cracks, weak spots or drainage problems.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Water can enter small cracks in asphalt. When temperatures fall below freezing, the water freezes and expands. The crack can become wider. The water melts when temperatures rise. More water can then enter the opening. The process may happen several times during winter.
Small cracks may look harmless in the fall. They can be much wider by spring. Some may connect with nearby cracks or start breaking the pavement around them. Seal suitable cracks before freezing weather, when pavement and weather conditions allow. Larger cracks or damaged sections may need a different repair.
Snow, Ice and Moisture
Moisture from melting snow and ice can collect on the pavement. The problems tend to occur in low spots where the water has no place to go. Water can collect in standing pools around cracks, potholes and settled pavement. It may also build up around drains that are clogged with leaves or debris.
Look at places where snow accumulates during storms. As temperatures increase, these spots may stay wet for longer. Drainage is important here. If the water is pooling in the same location, the asphalt repairs will not last as long.
Potholes and Expanding Cracks
Often potholes begin in cracks or weak pavement beneath the surface. Water can flow into the damaged area. Then traffic rips up the asphalt. Bigger vehicles can increase the damage. Loading areas, entrances and busy traffic lanes need special attention.
Look around the pothole as well as inside it. Loose edges could mean the asphalt around it is breaking down. If several cracks connect, a simple crack repair might not be sufficient for the pavement.
Snow Plowing and De-Icing
Weak pavement edges can be damaged by snowplows. Raised asphalt can snag a blade or a loose piece can be gouged out. Watch for curbs, corners, doorways and places where the snow is piled. These areas tend to have more contact when snow is removed.
De-icing products can help to manage ice, but they are no substitute for good drainage and pavement maintenance. Inspect it after the snow is off the lot. Then it’s easier to see scraped edges and loose asphalt.
What Asphalt Problems Are Common in Long Island After Winter?
Winter damage can stay hidden while snow and ice cover the pavement. After the lot clears, look for changes that were not there before the cold weather.
Common problems include:
- Cracks that have become wider
- New potholes or broken pavement
- Loose asphalt or exposed aggregate
- Dips, ruts and areas that have settled
- Water that remains after rain
- Damaged pavement edges near curbs
- Scraped areas caused by snow removal
Take photos of problem areas. A dated photo can help property managers compare the same section later. It also gives contractors a clearer idea of where the damage is located.
How Can You Prevent Winter Asphalt Damage?
The best time to deal with many pavement problems is before winter arrives. That doesn’t mean every parking lot needs major work. Start with the defects that allow water into the pavement or create a larger risk.
Seal Suitable Cracks Before Winter
Walk the property before freezing weather and look for open cracks. Dirt and plant growth should be removed from cracks that are suitable for sealing. Crack sealing can help keep water out of pavement openings. The pavement also needs to be dry and the repair needs suitable conditions to cure.
Don’t seal every crack automatically. Connected cracks, heavily damaged areas and structural cracking may need a more detailed assessment. Pay extra attention to cracks near drains, low areas and pavement edges. Water tends to cause more trouble in these locations.
Use Sealcoating When Conditions Are Right
Sealcoating can help protect sound asphalt from moisture, sunlight and normal wear. It works best when the pavement is in reasonable condition. Potholes and suitable cracks should be dealt with first. Sealcoating will not correct a failed pavement base. Weather conditions also matter. The pavement should be clean and dry so the coating can cure properly.
Keep Drains and Water Paths Clear
Drainage needs to be addressed before and after winter. Clean out catch basins and drains of leaves, dirt, gravel and other debris. Check the lot after heavy rains. If the same section remains wet while the surrounding pavement dries, there may be a grading or settlement problem. Never ignore water next to curbs or buildings. Moisture can cause pavement to deteriorate over time. The drainage problem may be fix the asphalt.
Repair Potholes Before They Spread
Regular traffic can turn a small pothole into a much bigger one. Remove loose material and inspect the condition of the area before patching. Some holes just need a local fix. Others have damage underneath the asphalt. If a pothole keeps returning in the same place, look for the reason instead of repeatedly patching the surface.
When Should You Inspect Asphalt After Winter?
Inspect the property once snow and ice have cleared. Spring is a useful time to compare the pavement with its condition before winter.
Walk through the parking lot and check:
- Driving lanes and entrances
- Areas around drains
- Pavement edges and curbs
- Places where snow was piled
- Areas that had cracks or potholes before winter
- Low spots where water collects
Mark the areas that need attention. If several problems are minor, they may be handled as part of planned maintenance. If one section has widespread cracking or repeated failures, it may need a professional assessment.
When Does Winter-Damaged Asphalt Need Professional Repair?
Some winter damage is easy to spot. The harder question is whether the surface can be repaired or whether the problem goes deeper.
When Cracks Cover Large Areas
A few narrow cracks may be suitable for sealing. Widespread cracking is different. Look for cracks that connect across a large section of pavement. Alligator-style cracking can point to a problem below the surface. Sealing individual cracks may not address the reason the pavement is failing.
When Potholes Keep Coming Back
A pothole that returns after repair needs another look. Drainage problems, weak base material or repeated traffic can cause pavement to fail again. Check nearby areas too. Several potholes along the same lane may suggest a larger pavement problem.
When Water Has Weakened the Base
Soft spots, depressions and sinking pavement can be an indication of damage under the surface. Over the years, water may have eroded the base. In this case, repairing only the top layer may. In that situation, fixing only the top layer may not provide a lasting repair. The damaged material may need to be removed and replaced.
When Resurfacing or Reconstruction Is Needed
Resurfacing may be suitable when the pavement surface is worn but the underlying base is still stable. Reconstruction involves much more work. It may be considered when large areas have severe cracking, settlement, recurring potholes or base failure. Drainage should be checked before major pavement work. New asphalt cannot correct a water problem that remains underneath or beside the pavement.
Conclusion
Long Island winter asphalt damage can lead to wider cracks, potholes, uneven pavement and drainage problems in parking lots. A spring inspection allows property owners to see what has changed during the colder months. Small defects should be repaired before being worsened by water and traffic. If the damage is ongoing or affects a large part of the property, a professional assessment can determine whether patching, resurfacing or more extensive repairs are required.
Elite Parking Area Maintenance can inspect your commercial pavement and help identify the right type of repair. Contact the team for asphalt repair, sealcoating, resurfacing, drainage work, striping and ongoing property maintenance.