Driveways in Lansing, Michigan take a very heavy beating every single year. Homeowners living around neighborhoods like Groesbeck or near the East Lansing border already know the answer to why this happens. Michigan weather is very harsh on asphalt. Between the heavy lake-effect snows, the salt trucks dropping tons of corrosive rock salt, and those endless freeze-thaw cycles in March where the temperature swings dramatically, your pavement goes through severe stress.
Valley Asphalt Inc spends half of every spring fixing damage that could have been avoided with a little seasonal foresight. The local climate does significant damage to your driveway, and Valley Asphalt Inc wants to help you stay ahead of it.
Spring Thaw and Drainage Check
As soon as the snow packs finally melt off your property, take a good look at your asphalt. Lansing clay soil holds onto moisture. When that trapped water freezes underneath your driveway, it expands and pushes the pavement upward. Then it melts, leaving a void underneath.
- Walk your driveway looking for fresh cracks or sunken spots.
- Check where your gutters drain. If water pools near the edge of the asphalt, the pavement is vulnerable to damage.
- Clear out any debris that collected in existing cracks over the winter before weeds take root.
If you catch these issues early, a simple crack fill job keeps small problems from turning into massive potholes. Do not wait until summer when the damage has already doubled in size.
Summer Sealing and Repairs
Summer is prime paving and maintenance season in Mid-Michigan. The warm and dry weather allows asphalt emulsions and sealcoat to cure properly. If your driveway is looking faded and gray instead of rich black, your asphalt is due for a sealcoat.
Sealcoating acts like sunscreen for your asphalt. It keeps the blazing July sun from drying out the liquid asphalt binder that holds all those aggregates together. Without it, the pavement becomes brittle. Just make sure you are scheduling this work when there is no rain in the immediate forecast. Valley Asphalt Inc always checks the radar before laying down material because an unexpected summer pop-up shower can ruin a fresh coat instantly.
Fall Preparation Before the First Freeze
October is your last real window to get things sorted before winter sets in. Once November hits and temperatures drop consistently below fifty degrees, hot asphalt will not compact right and sealants will not cure.
Take a weekend in early fall to fill any active cracks using a rubberized asphalt crack filler. This stops water from sneaking down into your base layer before the first hard freeze hits Lansing. Once that water gets in and turns to ice, that section of the driveway will suffer severe damage.
Also, trim back any low-hanging tree branches that drop heavy wet leaves or ice onto your pavement. Organic matter rotting on asphalt traps moisture and breaks down the surface over time.
Winter Defense
When the snow starts flying, how you clear your driveway matters more than you might think. Metal snowplow blades can easily gouge soft or aging asphalt, especially if your driveway was installed over uneven terrain. Make sure your plow service has the shoes adjusted properly, or switch to a heavy-duty rubber edge blade if you are doing the snow removal yourself.
Be careful with ice melt, too. Traditional rock salt is harsh on both your asphalt and the surrounding landscaping. Whenever possible, use calcium magnesium acetate or pet-safe ice melt. It is gentler on the pavement while still keeping your family safe from slips and falls on icy mornings.
Taking care of your driveway requires timing things right with our local weather patterns. Stay proactive, fix small cracks before they widen, and Valley Asphalt Inc provides asphalt services that help your asphalt last for 15 to 20 years or more in Lansing, Michigan.