Winter Cold Patch Repairs

Damaged Asphalt

Potholes are everywhere in Halifax, and appear almost out of nowhere during the winter and spring months. This is due primarily because of rapid and successive freeze thaw cycles.

Damaged Asphalt

How the damage occurs

Step 1 – Water enters cracks in the pavement surface and pools under or between the pavement and the base.

Step 2 – Temperatures drop and the water freezes. As the water freezes it expands lifting and cracking the asphalt.

Step 3 – As the hole forms it becomes larger when cars crack off the edges. Also, the hole will hold water increasing the freeze/thaw damage.

How to prevent the potholes from forming

The initial construction of the pavement is crucial for long term freeze thaw resistance. During construction the use of proper base materials, thickness of base, and planned drainage allow the asphalt to have improved resistance to freeze thaw damage. Gravel base materials allow increased drainage and do not become soft or spongy when wet, they maintain strength reducing cracking. Our asphalt paving team will plan drainage into each paving job to ensure water doesn’t pool on or under the pavement. 

Cracks must be repaired with hot rubber before the winter to keep water from getting under the asphalt. 

Repairing Potholes with Cold Patch Aspahlt

Our paving crew provides pavement patching during the winter months in Halifax using Cold Patch Asphalt. The cold patch asphalt is manufactured in Halifax and sold in bulk to paving contractors for road and parking lot repairs. 

Cold patch asphalt is special formulated with an emulsifier that evaporates at a very slow rate, this allows the asphalt oil to remain flexible when cold. The asphalt is placed and compacted as usual and over the course of a few weeks the emulsifier evaporates causing the asphalt to harden. 

Looking for more info on Winter Patching

Please fill out our contact form and we would gladly provide a free estimate or learn more about the types of asphalt pavement here.