When it comes to driveways, many homeowners prefer asphalt paving for its consistent appearance, durability, and affordable cost. Throughout much of the year, asphalt can withstand all weather conditions. However, when winter arrives, a driveway can become unusable due to years of damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. To understand what this is, how it affects asphalt, and what you can do to protect your driveway, take a look at the useful guide below.

How a Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damages Asphalt
A freeze-thaw cycle occurs when temperatures fluctuate back and forth around the freezing point, or 32 degrees. When the temperature is above freezing, water will seep into tiny cracks and pores in asphalt paving. When the temperature drops back down, this moisture will freeze and expand, forcing cracks to grow and weakening the paved surface.

Once the water thaws again, it can spread deeper within the pavement, and the cycle repeats. If it penetrates far enough, ice and frost can even degrade the foundation beneath a driveway and cause soil to settle, weakening the pavement even further.

Tips for Protecting Your Asphalt Driveway
The first step to protect asphalt from freeze-thaw cycles is to ensure that it’s properly graded when laid down. Asphalt should have a slope of at least 2% to help it drain off as much water as possible and minimize the risk of saturation.

After installation, the most effective way to protect an asphalt driveway is to have it sealcoated every two to three years. There are many varieties of asphalt sealcoating, the most common of which is coal tar emulsion, a mixture of coal tar, water, emulsifying agents, and additives. When applied to asphalt, sealcoating forms a protective, watertight layer that can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk of cracking and spalling.

Finally, if you find any cracks in your driveway, you can limit the spread of damage by having them repaired and resealed as quickly as possible.


If you need reliable asphalt paving or snow removal, contact Guarco Construction in Granby, CT. We are family-owned and -operated, and have served Hartford County and the surrounding areas since 1974. We specialize in commercial and residential paving and snow removal. We are renowned for their friendly, dependable service, attention to detail, and competitive rates. Learn more about us online or call (860) 278-5558 to schedule your snow removal or asphalt paving.

With the arrival of a Connecticut winter, you can almost certainly expect a season full of snow, ice, and freezing rain. These elements can be difficult for both people and structures to deal with, and your business's parking lot is no exception. However, proper preparation will help protect your commercial pavement and reduce the risk of damage in the colder months ahead; here are a few ways to get your parking lot ready for winter weather.

How to Prepare Your Parking Lot for Winter
1. Consider Resurfacing
Commercial pavement resurfacing involves adding a new layer of asphalt on top of the existing surface. The months leading up to winter are an excellent time to invest in this service. It strengthens your parking lot and increases its durability against the harsh winter elements. It also extends the life span of your parking lot, often up to 15 years or more. If your commercial paving professional offers sealcoating, consider having sealant applied to your resurfaced lot. Sealcoating is a thin, clear, protective membrane that prevents damage from water—always a concern in winter—as well as from oils and sunlight.

2. Fill Cracks
Cracks in pavement create an easy opportunity for water to enter and penetrate the surface. Over time, this causes the structure to weaken, increasing the size of the cracks and contributing to the development of potholes. Since you can pretty much depend on the winter being a wet season, filling parking lot cracks now will mean less chance of water getting into and damaging your pavement. If you're not going to sealcoat, filling cracks should be essential parking-lot prep-work for winter.

3. Repaint Lines
When parking lot lines are weak, faded, or chipped away, they are hard enough for your customers and employees to see. Add a layer of snow or ice on top, and they are virtually indecipherable. Not only can this cause confusion and chaos in your parking lot, but it can also lead to accidents and injuries, opening you up to liability issues. Before winter weather starts to ramp up, take the time to repaint all lines, including space dividers, handicap zone markers, and traffic direction indicators.


If you need reliable asphalt paving or snow removal, contact Guarco Construction in Granby, CT. We are family-owned and -operated, and have served Hartford County and the surrounding areas since 1974. We specialize in commercial and residential paving and snow removal. We are renowned for their friendly, dependable service, attention to detail, and competitive rates. Learn more about us online or call (860) 278-5558 to schedule your snow removal or asphalt paving.