Constantly keeping the roads free and clear of snow and ice increases the risk of winter damage. This can mean arranging for asphalt repair and road replacement, which is costly and time-consuming. While one can’t eliminate the risk, strategies can be employed to minimize road damage during winter.
Here is what you should know about protecting your roads from snow, ice, and extremely cold temperatures.
Winter brings freeze-thaw cycles. Cold temperatures cause water and debris trapped beneath a road’s surface to freeze and expand, creating a tunnelling effect in the subgrade and weakening the road’s foundation. As the weather warms up, the road contracts, the asphalt shifts, and the binding agents become more brittle. There is no way to avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Ideally, the best way to minimize road damage is to know freeze-thaw cycles and use the right type of asphalt. Hot mix asphalt for commercial parking lots and roadways is common across Canada because it performs well in all weather conditions, including winter harshness.
Another approach across Canada in response to winter is porous asphalt. This allows water to drain through the surface rather than accumulate on top, such as when there are large snow deposits or standing water, which slowly erode asphalt binding agents. When water moves through channels on the road, it redirects water to local rivers and lakes, preserving your road in the finest possible condition.
Many new types of asphalt contain materials that can reduce the likelihood of road damage in winter. Polymers, fibres, and mineral fillers increase frost resistance. Aggregates enable better drainage. Materials that reduce maintenance while extending road infrastructure life also exist, though they vary in cost and availability.
De-icing: De-icing is essential in winter to maintain roads and keep them safe. What you use to de-ice may contain chemical compounds that destroy the road. Whenever possible, use eco-friendly, all-natural de-icing agents that cause minimal damage. Bulk magnesium chloride is the best de-icing agent to remove ice and protect the roadway.
Roads should be thoroughly cleaned daily or weekly, depending on the severity of the climate. If possible, it’s best to clean roads during off-peak hours. As you clean a road, you remove all sorts of debris and organic matter. This lifts debris off the road and prevents it from accumulating under snow and ice, further reducing damage risk.
Identify asphalt cracks and other damages and resolve them promptly. If a crack is not addressed, it will always grow bigger at a time. Water and debris will penetrate the surface, internal damage will grow, and cracks will expand and eventually become potholes. Repair cracks as soon as you see them. Patch them up with a permanent solution.
Heavy-duty snow removal equipment should be used carefully. Plows, snow blowers, and sidewalk plows all risk damaging a road. Any sharp metal scraping against the surface can scratch and break brittle aggregate. While this is unavoidable in certain areas, be aware of how you use this equipment.
Every road should have a basin and drainage system that works properly during winter to prevent pooling or standing water. If you notice your drainage system is backed up, resolve it immediately. This will likely require calling a contractor with experience in asphalt paving and drainage issues.
Though rarely done, another way to minimize road damage is by sealing the asphalt every two to three years. This lengthens pavement lifespan by 30 years and sometimes more while boosting curb appeal and safety. It’s rarely done because seal coating requires 24-48 hours to dry completely, so roads must be unavailable during that time.
An annual checkup on your roads and making the necessary repairs to keep them safe can prolong their lifespan. In this context, maintenance is correcting damages before they become catastrophic. Especially if it’s a commercial property, you also want to reinforce the overall structural stability of the road for those who use it.
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