Our sales manager, Norm Kingsbury, shares his thoughts as we transition out of winter...

As the warmer weather comes to stay, dealing with damaged asphalt avoids complaints down the road. Freezing and thawing can happen many times during winter and it is hard on parking lots. The cracks in the asphalt allow water in and it freezes, expands and contracts making the asphalt move up and down. The flexing asphalt creates cracks and when the cracks get big enough the asphalt breaks away leading to potholes. Unfortunately, potholes get bigger if they aren’t repaired. If left for too long, water creating cracks and potholes can also wash away the sub-base, the gravel under the lot, supporting the asphalt above. The sub-base acts like the foundation of a house.

An advantage of the warmer weather is property owners and managers have more asphalt repair choices. Depending on the pothole repair method selected, repairs done in the spring and summer are more cost effective and permanent.

One pothole repair choice is cold patch which is inexpensive but does not last very long. Often cold patch will need to be replaced again and again.

Another more expensive and longer lasting fix is sawcut and replace. In this case, the debris is cleaned out of the pothole, hot asphalt fills the hole and the asphalt is compacted. The problem with sawcut and replace is where there are cuts in the asphalt water now has a way to get in and create more cracks and potholes.

Another repair method is an infrared, seamless asphalt repair. The asphalt surrounding the pothole is heated and new, hot asphalt is added as required. The old and new asphalt bond together so there is no seam and the pothole is eliminated. Seamless asphalt repairs are permanent. Seamless repairs are best done when the surrounding asphalt and sub-base are in good shape. The seamless asphalt repair will last as long as the parking lot does.

Crack fill, inexpensive and effective, is a great way to extend the life of a parking lot. The hot rubber polymer helps to seal the asphalt surface and less water will get into and under the asphalt. Crack fill helps stop damage before it starts.

Line painting, relatively inexpensive; improves the look and safety of a parking lot while maximize parking spaces; directs where people should and shouldn’t park. Bright and easy-to-see lines are the finishing touches on a parking lot and make the property look well maintained.


By Robin Farley July 25, 2023
How does crack fill work?
By Rod Campbell April 4, 2023
Residential Line Painting No More
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
The past two years have been hard enough. So to win this contest, just enter. The first person to send me an email saying “Addaline Swag Package” in the subject line will win. You will need to be an Addaline customer and we are happy to deliver anywhere in Ontario. Please e-mail Robin Farley at info@addaline.ca. The deadline for this contest is April 1, 2022.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
What: PM SpringFest Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), 22 Bremner Blvd, South Building, Toronto, ON When: Thursday, April 28, 2022 Who: Building owners, property managers, facility managers to list a few
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
Catch basins drain away surface water—rain and melting snow. Water sitting in a parking lot can become icy and will damage the surrounding asphalt if its not draining properly. If left to pool, standing water erodes and breaks down asphalt. Maintaining your catch basins is a proactive approach that will save you both time and money. To promote proper drainage, catch basins should be positioned at the lowest points of your parking lot. If you see standing water in your parking lot, there may be problems. You should have the components of the catch basins inspected. In addition, depressions in the asphalt around a catch basin could indicate underlying problems with the lot. Before you try to perform a DIY inspection of a catch basin, remember, the top assembly or steel grate weighs 200 lbs or 91 kg. Our estimators are happy to take a look inside and they take photos of any problems inside your catch basins to be included in your quotes. Once the top assembly is open, the shining light inside the catch basin could reveal damage to the top of the catch basin or broken grade rings (risers) that are allowing water to penetrate beneath the surrounding asphalt. Grade rings or risers are an important component of a catch basin, as they can be added or removed to adjust the level of the steel assembly (remember, it should be below the level of the asphalt to permit proper drainage). There could also be damage in the lower portion of the catch basin where the pipe exits. The area around the pipe is referred to as the annulus and can sometimes crack and crumble allowing the water to go where it shouldn’t. If a contractor only fixes the top of the catch basin assembly and problems below are not addressed, you will have wasted your money and the problem will likely return in very short order. Regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance by a knowledgeable contractor can keep catch basins in good working condition. The cost of regular maintenance is far less expense than lot replacement, damaged vehicles or worse pedestrian injury.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
Addaline Spring 2020 newsletter contest winner was Kolleen Hickman of the White Oak Heritage Housing Co-op. She won our Site Snap swag package. Thanks to all who participated in our contest.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
If you approve your crack fill and/or line painting estimates now, you will be first in line in the spring. This will also lock-in current pricing. Crack fill ensures the integrity of your parking lot and helps prevent water from getting into and under your asphalt. This is key. Water is the enemy, particularly when we experience the freeze and thaw cycles we have throughout the winter. When water gets into the cracks and creates openings in your asphalt, it moves the pavement up and down, and back and forth creating weaknesses in the asphalt. These weak spots go on to form potholes. Water can also get under the pavement and wash away the sub-base supporting the asphalt above. Pavement which is not supported will break away and form potholes. Crack fill is a cost effective method to seal the surface of your parking lots. Maintaining and repairing your pavement sooner rather than later is less expensive. If you do no maintenance, you will need to repave the lot earlier than necessary. Some less expensive maintenance work early on will put off the need to repave and help eliminate potential slip, trip and falls.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
We are prepared for any anticipated impact COVID-19 may have on our ability to deliver service to our customers. We do not expect you to experience any differences in the service we provide. Our sales and administrative staff will continue to answer your calls and assist you. Many of our customers have worked to streamline their work approval process by becoming members of organizations such as ContractorCheck and ComplyWorks. These independent, third party organizations ensure contractors comply with the highest health and safety standards. Addaline Asphalt Maintenance is an accredited member with both companies. Addaline staff are also P.O.S.T. (Petroleum Oriented Safety Training) certified. Many of our customers requested P.O.S.T. certification.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
Now is the time of year to complete your essential parking lot repairs. Once the weather gets cold and snowy, the asphalt plants close and it becomes more expensive and more complicated to get repairs completed. Snowy weather makes it more difficult to find days when asphalt repairs can be done. Take a look at your lot and decide what will not survive the winter. Stop smaller potholes from becoming bigger. Small ankle biters turn into jaws over the winter. A seamless asphalt repair will eliminate these potholes and provides a permanent repair which will last many years. Addaline warranties repairs for two years. Residents and visitors can drive on the repair in about 45 minutes. When a seamless asphalt repair is being done, the Addaline crew work in a small area and allow traffic to flow around them.
By Robin Farley October 19, 2021
What do you do during challenging times?
More Posts
Share by: