The pavement is made up of durable material, but as much as it can withstand thousands of pounds of weight, it does have a few vulnerabilities. Extreme temperature changes throughout the year eventually take a toll on paved highways, roads, parking lots, and walkways. Heat, cold, rain, ice, and snow all impact pavement over time and may cause it to react negatively to these changes.
Hot temperatures will cause the pavement to expand and this can lead to cracks. This happens because constant exposure to heat will cause the pavement to expand too much, so a small crack can become larger over time, resulting in serious problems. Cracks allow water to seep in and can erode the subsurface layers as time goes by. Whenever this occurs, air gaps can form and if weight is then applied to that top layer, the asphalt will sag and form a divot. This can easily happen from a vehicle passing by, which is inevitable, and depending on the severity of the situation and the condition of your pavement, this can result in potholes.
Winter will impact your pavement differently and cause different problems. The weather can fluctuate above and below-freezing temperatures and even if there is no precipitation on the ground, there could be some underneath that would impact your pavement significantly. Whenever snow, rain or hail seeps into cracked asphalt and the temperature warms up, it will result in water. Whenever the temperature drops, that water will freeze and expand and push the crack outward. This freeze and thaw cycle will widen any existing cracks and may even cause more serious damage like potholes, which can be very dangerous.
Rain is problematic for pavement during winter and is especially dangerous when the pavement is on a slope because a steep incline can result in rain washing down the liquid asphalt, which will eventually erode away the top layer of the material. This will cause the paved area to wear away over time and become mainly rock and aggregate. A steep incline will constantly cause this problem to reoccur, which is why rain and pavement are not a great mix.
Extreme temperature variations can cause serious pavement damage because of expansion and contraction. Pavements will expand as they rise in temperature and will contract as the temperatures fall. Small amounts of this process will not affect your pavement, so you will not experience any excessive damage; however, extreme temperature changes will affect your pavement and impact its condition.
Ampac Paving and Concrete is one of the most reputable paving companies and can help with all of your landscaping needs. We can assist with both residential and commercial paving projects and service the Toronto, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill areas. Give us a call today for more information!
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