Summer Weather and its Damaging Effects to Asphalt
People long for summertime all year. Summer is when families and people can relax and enjoy the outdoors. But summer in the southeast can present some challenges for business owners. Those who know it well know that the days are either sweltering hot or full of heavy rain. What many people don’t know is the damaging effects the summer weather can have on asphalt, affecting their local roadways, parking lots and business fronts. AAA Total Property Solutions services commercial and industrial properties around Central Georgia, Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, so we’ve seen the impact of extreme temperatures and heavy rain first-hand. Understanding the impact that the weather has on asphalt will inspire you to implement preventative measures, and we can help.
Extreme Heat
With temperatures often rising above 90 degrees in the summer season, asphalt can begin to bend, ripple and crack. All hard surfaces absorb heat, causing not only the surface temperature to rise but the temperature of the surrounding environment as well. As a result, soft spots can develop in the asphalt creating prime conditions for surface damage to occur. Warm weather can also cause asphalt to expand from pre-existing cracks, producing areas we’ve all seen where the surface is pushed upward.
Excessive Rain
Pavement that has not received regular preventative maintenance will prove vulnerable to rainwater over time. Enough heavy rain can gradually weaken unprotected asphalt and risk damage to the support layer below the pavement. As many of us known, once a heavy storm has passed, standing water is often still present. If there are small cracks in the asphalt already, standing water can break down the chemicals in the asphalt and cause it to weaken, encouraging cracks to worsen.
Repairing & Preventing Damage
The best way to protect your asphalt from daily destructive elements is sealcoating, just one of the many areas our team at AAA specializes in. Sealcoating is a process that protects asphalt from two of summer’s most prominent characteristics, sunshine and rain. Regular sealcoating of your pavement can prevent damage caused by heat and heavy rain and safeguards asphalt from pooling water. Sealcoating not only protects the asphalt but gives it a nice finish, making it easier to clean and reducing the cost of maintenance over time.
If you’re noticing that the asphalt in your parking lot or in front of your business is already damaged, it’s not too late to repair the surface. The professionals at AAA Total Property Solutions will carry out a concrete repair that will reinforce the asphalt and extend its lifespan. Implementing regular scheduled cleaning, sweeping and maintenance will help ensure your pavement remains presentable and safe. For any questions or to learn more about the services we provide call (912) 275-8117 or visit https://aaatps.com/contact to fill out our contact form and get in touch with one of our specialists.
