Outside temperatures and the weather play critical roles in the condition and performance of any asphalt surface. Asphalt is best suited for warm and dry climates, but that obviously isn’t reality for many areas in the United States. Pavement with existing surface damage(s) is especially vulnerable to rain erosion. Given enough time, rainwater will penetrate unprotected asphalt and wear down the underlying structural layers. Rain on asphalt isn’t really preventable and it may seem harmless, but it can have detrimental effects on your parking lot or driveway if it’s left to pool up. Issues like large potholes, cracks, and depressions are all the result of standing water.
The Midwest is infamous for unpredictable weather year-round — Illinois has even seen snow in May before. Fluctuations around spring time are bad news if your asphalt is prone to standing water and puddles forming. The pools of water in puddles will go through freeze-thaw weather cycles will continuously shrink and expand on a molecular level. This occurence causes the bond between asphalt’s aggregate and binder to break, a process known as “stripping.” Asphalt bonds being stripped speeds up the erosion process and opens doors for future costly damages. Even worse, the pavement’s structural integrity can be ruined if water gets into the subbase layer.


Outside temperatures and the weather play critical roles in the condition and performance of any asphalt surface. Asphalt is best suited for warm and dry climates, but that obviously isn’t reality for many areas in the United States. Pavement with existing surface damage(s) is especially vulnerable to rain erosion. Given enough time, rainwater will penetrate unprotected asphalt and wear down the underlying structural layers. Rain on asphalt isn’t really preventable and it may seem harmless, but it can have detrimental effects on your parking lot or driveway if it’s left to pool up. Issues like large potholes, cracks, and depressions are all the result of standing water.
The Midwest is infamous for unpredictable weather year-round — Illinois has even seen snow in May before. Fluctuations around spring time are bad news if your asphalt is prone to standing water and puddles forming. The pools of water in puddles will go through freeze-thaw weather cycles will continuously shrink and expand on a molecular level. This occurence causes the bond between asphalt’s aggregate and binder to break, a process known as “stripping.” Asphalt bonds being stripped speeds up the erosion process and opens doors for future costly damages. Even worse, the pavement’s structural integrity can be ruined if water gets into the subbase layer.
We understand that an asphalt parking lot or driveway is a huge investment. In order to get as much out of your asphalt pavement as you put into it, it’s vital that it was installed properly by a professional. Choosing an experienced contractor for your asphalt project will ensure that you can enjoy the new pavement for years to come, without any issue. When a driveway or parking lot is installed correctly, rain doesn’t stand a chance at damaging the pavement.
Most asphalt paving contractors recommend creating, and sticking to, a preventative maintenance plan for your asphalt surfaces. If you’ve made the right moves to protect your asphalt, some springtime rain won’t cause you any issues. Contrarily, if you haven’t taken any steps towards asphalt maintenance, your lot could be in danger. Existing potholes, cracks, and depressions have the potential to cause major damage to your property and your wallet.
Preventative Pavement Maintenance is Key
If your asphalt parking lot or driveway is prone to standing water, then your property lacks proper and adequate drainage methods. Proper drainage is arguably the most important aspect when designing/constructing a new asphalt surface. Taking full advantage of the property’s existing layout to direct water with asphalt sloping and curbing is key. Let Pavement Solutions inspect your lot’s drainage systems and see where adjustments are needed.
Getting in the habit of having small cracks repaired is the best practice to preventing water damage. Being proactive about cracks in asphalt pavement is much more inexpensive and easier to manage than when cracks are left unattended. When dealt with in a timely manner, there won’t be any necessary major repairs in the future. Contact us for more information about a maintenance plan that stops cracks as soon as they begin!
Routine sealcoating — at least once every three years — will reward you for many moons to come. Applying sealcoat to an asphalt surface offers intense protection from water penetration. Likewise, sealcoat wards off damages from oil spills and UV rays, and it’s inexpensive. So, sealcoating your asphalt surfaces is basically a no-brainer.
Pavement Solutions, LLC provides innovative, cost-effective, and timely maintenance solutions for all asphalt and concrete surfaces. Our team has 30+ years of experience with concrete and asphalt paving, maintenance, and repairs, for commercial, residential, industrial, condominium, and townhome association properties. To extend your pavement’s lifetime and stretch your maintenance dollars, we preserve concrete/asphalt surfaces with a customized approach of long-term maintenance plans. By prioritizing procedures based on each property’s maintenance needs and funding, we’re your trusted partner for the full lifecycle of parking lots, driveways, roads, sidewalks, dolly pads, and more.
We offer commercial and residential concrete & asphalt paving, maintenance, and repair services in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Check out our Service Areas to see if you’re in our territory! Request a free estimate or call us for one today.
We understand that an asphalt parking lot or driveway is a huge investment. In order to get as much out of your asphalt pavement as you put into it, it’s vital that it was installed properly by a professional. Choosing an experienced contractor for your asphalt project will ensure that you can enjoy the new pavement for years to come, without any issue. When a driveway or parking lot is installed correctly, rain doesn’t stand a chance at damaging the pavement.
Most asphalt paving contractors recommend creating, and sticking to, a preventative maintenance plan for your asphalt surfaces. If you’ve made the right moves to protect your asphalt, some springtime rain won’t cause you any issues. Contrarily, if you haven’t taken any steps towards asphalt maintenance, your lot could be in danger. Existing potholes, cracks, and depressions have the potential to cause major damage to your property and your wallet.
Preventative Pavement Maintenance is Key
If your asphalt parking lot or driveway is prone to standing water, then your property lacks proper and adequate drainage methods. Proper drainage is arguably the most important aspect when designing/constructing a new asphalt surface. Taking full advantage of the property’s existing layout to direct water with asphalt sloping and curbing is key. Let Pavement Solutions inspect your lot’s drainage systems and see where adjustments are needed.
Getting in the habit of having small cracks repaired is the best practice to preventing water damage. Being proactive about cracks in asphalt pavement is much more inexpensive and easier to manage than when cracks are left unattended. When dealt with in a timely manner, there won’t be any necessary major repairs in the future. Contact us for more information about a maintenance plan that stops cracks as soon as they begin!
Routine sealcoating — at least once every three years — will reward you for many moons to come. Applying sealcoat to an asphalt surface offers intense protection from water penetration. Likewise, sealcoat wards off damages from oil spills and UV rays, and it’s inexpensive. So, sealcoating your asphalt surfaces is basically a no-brainer.
Pavement Solutions, LLC provides innovative, cost-effective, and timely maintenance solutions for all asphalt and concrete surfaces. Our team has 30+ years of experience with concrete and asphalt paving, maintenance, and repairs, for commercial, residential, industrial, condominium, and townhome association properties. To extend your pavement’s lifetime and stretch your maintenance dollars, we preserve concrete/asphalt surfaces with a customized approach of long-term maintenance plans. By prioritizing procedures based on each property’s maintenance needs and funding, we’re your trusted partner for the full lifecycle of parking lots, driveways, roads, sidewalks, dolly pads, and more.
We offer commercial and residential concrete & asphalt paving, maintenance, and repair services in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Check out our Service Areas to see if you’re in our territory! Request a free estimate or call us for one today.
Posted by C. Butler on 3/31/20