If you manage a business in Gurnee, IL, you’re no stranger to the extreme weather, especially during winter. As 2024 brings unpredictable weather patterns, maintaining your parking lot becomes more crucial than ever. With Gurnee’s proximity to Lake Michigan, lake-effect snow presents a significant challenge to parking lot paving. The heavy, persistent snow caused by the warm lake water and cold winter air can wear down your asphalt and create major issues for your business.

In this blog, we’ll explore how lake-effect snow affects parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL, and how businesses can protect their lots from the damaging effects of winter weather. As a trusted local paving company, Armored Asphalt is here to provide the services you need to keep your lot in peak condition year-round.

Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air moves over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Michigan, causing moisture to rise, cool, and eventually turn into snow. This process leads to intense and often unpredictable snowfall in areas like Gurnee, making winter especially harsh on outdoor surfaces.

But what does this mean for your parking lot? Constant cycles of freezing and thawing, combined with heavy snow accumulation, can severely damage asphalt surfaces. Here’s why:

• Moisture Penetration: When snow melts and refreezes, water seeps into cracks in the asphalt, expanding and causing further damage.
• Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Lake-effect snow leads to frequent temperature fluctuations, resulting in the freezing and thawing of water within the pavement. This can cause cracks, potholes, and surface degradation.
• Heavy Snow Removal Equipment: While essential for keeping your lot clear, snowplows can damage already vulnerable areas of the pavement.

In Gurnee, where lake-effect snow is a common occurrence, keeping your parking lot well-maintained can prevent small issues from turning into costly repairs.

As we head into 2024, meteorologists are predicting another round of intense winter storms for the Great Lakes region. Lake-effect snow could bring even more moisture to Gurnee, making parking lot maintenance a top priority for business owners.

But it’s not just the snow. Harsh winds and fluctuating temperatures mean more stress on your asphalt surface, causing cracks and potholes to worsen rapidly. To combat this, preparing your lot before the snow arrives is key. Armored Asphalt specializes in parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL, and we understand the local climate’s unique demands on asphalt surfaces.

If you haven’t had your parking lot serviced recently, here’s what can happen during Gurnee’s lake-effect snow season:

1. Cracks and Potholes

The freeze-thaw cycle causes asphalt to contract and expand, leading to cracks. Over time, these cracks grow and turn into potholes. The more cracks you have, the more water can penetrate the surface, making the problem worse.

2. Weakened Asphalt Layers

The constant pressure of snowplows and heavy vehicles, combined with the weight of snow and ice, puts stress on your asphalt. If your parking lot isn’t sealed properly, this can cause the asphalt layers to weaken and deteriorate.

3. Surface Erosion

Snow and ice removal chemicals, such as rock salt, can erode your asphalt’s surface, breaking down its protective layer. This makes your lot more vulnerable to moisture damage and wear from vehicle traffic.

Preventing these issues with proper parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL will save you time, money, and frustration. By taking action now, you can protect your asphalt and keep your parking lot safe and accessible throughout the winter.

You don’t have to wait until the first snowfall to start thinking about winter maintenance. The best way to protect your parking lot from lake-effect snow is by taking preventive measures before winter sets in. Here are some steps to help keep your asphalt in top shape:

1. Sealcoating for Protection

Sealcoating is one of the best ways to protect your parking lot from moisture, chemicals, and general wear and tear. This process involves applying a protective layer to your asphalt, which helps prevent cracks, potholes, and surface erosion.

Sealcoating should be done before the snow starts falling. Once applied, it provides a barrier against the freezing and thawing cycles that are so damaging during winter in Gurnee.

2. Crack Filling and Pothole Repair

If your parking lot already has cracks or potholes, it’s essential to get them repaired before winter hits. Water from melting snow can seep into these openings, causing more damage when it refreezes. Crack filling and pothole repair will keep your asphalt strong throughout the winter months.

At Armored Asphalt, we specialize in parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL, including crack filling and pothole repair, so your lot is ready for the elements.

3. Snow Removal Services

Keeping your lot clear of snow is crucial for both safety and pavement health. Heavy snow can weigh down your asphalt, and snowplows can damage an already weakened surface. That’s why it’s important to hire professionals who know how to clear snow without harming your asphalt. Armored Asphalt offers reliable snow removal services, so your lot stays functional and protected.

One question business owners may be asking as they prepare for the winter of 2024 is whether winters are getting worse. The short answer? Yes. Climate change is contributing to more extreme weather conditions, including harsher winters and more frequent lake-effect snowstorms. As a result, parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL, is more important than ever.

Recent years have shown a marked increase in the severity and unpredictability of winter storms across the Midwest. Business owners should anticipate more frequent snowfall and temperature fluctuations, which can wreak havoc on parking lots. Taking action now by repairing and protecting your asphalt is a wise investment for the future.

• Inspect your lot for cracks before the snow season.
• Apply sealcoating for extra protection against moisture.
• Fill any cracks or repair potholes to prevent further damage.
• Arrange for snow removal services to keep your lot safe.
• Use de-icing chemicals sparingly to avoid surface erosion.
• Plan for regular maintenance after winter to assess any new damage.

At Armored Asphalt, we know that Gurnee’s winters aren’t easy on asphalt. That’s why we offer comprehensive services to keep your parking lot in the best possible condition, year-round. Whether you need sealcoating, crack filling, pothole repair, or snow removal, our team is here to help.

We’ve worked with businesses throughout Gurnee, IL, providing expert parking lot paving and maintenance that withstands even the toughest lake-effect snowstorms. With 2024 promising to be another challenging winter, now is the time to take action and protect your investment.

Don’t let the winter of 2024 catch you unprepared. Armored Asphalt is ready to help you protect your parking lot from the harsh effects of lake-effect snow. Contact us today for a free estimate on parking lot paving in Gurnee, IL, and let’s make sure your lot is ready for whatever winter brings.