Winter in Green Bay is hard on pavement. Freeze-thaw cycles, plows, and de-icing chemicals all take a toll, and the damage shows up as potholes and crumbling edges in spring. Good pre-winter lot prep is the cheapest way to keep your parking lot safe through the season and avoid an expensive repair bill when the snow melts.
Why Pre-Winter Lot Prep Matters
Water is asphalt’s biggest enemy, and winter makes it worse. Water gets into cracks, freezes, expands about 9%, and pushes the pavement apart, and it does this dozens of times a season. Add salt, plow blades, and heavy equipment, and small defects in the fall turn into major failures by March.
Your Pre-Winter Lot Prep Checklist
1. Inspect and seal cracks.
Walk the lot and mark every crack wider than about 1/4 inch. Seal them with hot-pour crack sealant before the first hard freeze. This step does more to prevent winter potholes than anything else on the list.
2. Repair potholes and failed areas.
Patch potholes, sunken areas, and broken edges while hot-mix asphalt is still available. Infrared patching can extend the repair window into late fall.
3. Sealcoat if it’s due.
If your lot hasn’t been sealcoated in two to three years, a fall application protects the surface from water, salt and fuel. Sealcoat needs warm, dry days, so schedule it early in the fall.
4. Clean and check drainage.
Clear catch basins, grates, trench drains, and gutters of leaves and sediment. Look for sinking or cracking around catch basins, which is a common sign of base failure. Water that pools in the fall turns into ice in winter.
5. Refresh striping and signage.
Snow and ice cover faded lines. Fresh striping, reflective markers, and visible ADA signage help drivers and pedestrians get around safely.
6. Mark curbs, islands, and obstacles for plows.
Install snow stakes along curbs, islands, light pole bases, drains, and landscaping to prevent plow operators from damaging them.
7. Finalize your snow and ice plan.
Confirm your snow removal contractor, the trigger depths for plowing, salting frequency, and where snow will be piled. Keep piles away from drains, sight lines, and accessible parking spaces.
8. Choose de-icers carefully.
Overusing rock salt accelerates wear on pavement and concrete. Ask your snow contractor about application rates and alternatives for sidewalks and newer concrete.
9. Check the lighting.
Shorter days mean more hours in the dark. Replace burnt-out lamps and damaged fixtures to reduce the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.
Benefits of Pre-Winter Lot Prep
- Lower repair costs. Sealing a crack costs a fraction of replacing the surrounding section.
- Better safety and less liability. Fewer trip hazards, less ice where water used to pool, and clearer markings.
- Longer pavement life. Routine preventive maintenance can add years to an asphalt parking lot.
Looking for a Year-Round Plan?
Pre-winter lot prep is one part of maintaining a parking lot. For a season-by-season list covering inspections, crack sealing, sealcoating, striping, and drainage, see our Parking Lot Maintenance Checklist.
Schedule Your Pre-Winter Lot Prep
American Pavement Solutions helps commercial properties across Green Bay and the Midwest prepare for winter with crack sealing, patching, sealcoating, striping, and drainage repair. Request a free estimate or call 1-800-236-7404 before the season closes.