Potholes in the pavement can damage commercial snow removal equipment, plus make eliminating snow more difficult than if plowing efforts were conducted on smooth pavement. Patching and sealing pavement at the end of the fall will support efficient snow removal processes.

Holes That Expand

The heavy weight of snow coupled with the constant vehicular traffic and foot traffic that comes in contact with pavement can make holes larger. Damaged asphalt will allow moisture to infiltrate through to the base layer that is supporting the pavement. The moisture and frigid temperatures can cause the pavement to deteriorate further.

Once snow has blanketed the ground, there will be no way of determining where potholes are located. The wheels that are attached to a snow plow could become stuck in a hole. Snow removal equipment can also become damaged by deep holes.

Patching Strategies

Some pavement companies close for the winter. If a pavement company is located in an area where snow is forecast, the weather conditions won't be favorable for installing or repairing pavement. A commercial business owner should make plans to have their property's pavement inspected and repaired before daily temperatures go down considerably.

Patching strategies need to be conducted when the air temperature is well above freezing. A pavement contractor will clean out holes and cracks. Then, they will prepare a hot or cold patch mix that will be used to repair damaged parts of the pavement.

Compacting patch is necessary after the patch product has been added. Once the patch has cured, a contractor may recommend that sealant be applied over the patch. The sealant will protect the pavement from damage that is caused by moisture or plow equipment.

Snow Melting Properties

The sealant that was originally applied over old pavement may become worn down. Pavement that was installed a long time ago may begin to fade in color. Once the pavement has been patched and resealed, it will be a darker color. When the sun's rays come into contact with dark-colored asphalt, the pavement will begin to heat up. The warmth that radiates from the pavement can aid with melting snow.

Commercial Grade Products

Commercial-grade salt products can be used to melt ice and snow that forms on a parking lot. Treating pavements before a snowstorm will assist with efficient snow removal processes. Ice salt should be sprinkled liberally across the pavement. After it has stopped snowing, a plow or shovel can be used to remove snow that hasn't melted.

Contact a commercial snow removal service to learn more.