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Continue ShoppingAlthough summers in Utah can seem like one endless road construction project after another throughout the state, winter is also a good time for asphalt. If you’re faced with some winter asphalt projects, Asphalt Materials has over 40 years of experience providing materials and services for asphalt projects big and small.
Asphalt is a versatile construction material that has a number of advantages, especially in winter weather conditions. In fact, asphalt is often the preferred choice for winter construction projects because it can be laid down at lower temperatures than other materials, such as concrete, and it dries quickly. Asphalt is also less likely to be damaged by freezing and thawing cycles, which we experience repeatedly throughout Fall, Winter, and Spring in Utah.
In case you need a refresher, winter asphalt is a cold-mix version of asphalt. Regular asphalt requires temperatures above 55 degrees, whereas winter asphalt can be used even when it’s freezing outside. Cold mix asphalt takes a little longer to cure than hot asphalt, and it should only be used for small patching projects in low-traffic areas.
Two common types of winter-rated asphalt are MC Cold Mix and Cold Mix UPM.
MC COLD MIX ASPHALT
This is a slow-curing, temporary cold mix patching material. It performs well as a repair or restoration material, as well as a base material for roadways.
Cold Mix UPM ASPHALT
This is a permanent cold mix patching and repair material. UPM is state-approved and is used by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for road repairs. It doesn’t require any priming and can fill wet or dry holes. You can also get this material spring- and summer-rated.
It’s almost as easy as 1-2-3 to use cold mix asphalt for patching. It can be used on existing asphalt or even concrete. Here’s a list of supplies you’ll need if you want to DIY a cold mix asphalt project, and a look at how the process works.
Coarse sand or gravel mix
You’ll use this to fill the pothole before topping it off with the cold mix asphalt.
Concrete saw
If you’d like to square off the area you’re patching, you can use a concrete saw to clean up the edges, much like you would an area of drywall that needs patching.
Cold Asphalt
You may not need much for your DIY patching project, as one 50-pound bag can patch a four-foot square hole that’s one inch deep.
Tamper
You can use vibrating plates, a lawn roller, or plywood to tamp down the asphalt once you’ve filled the hole.
Top coat
As an optional step, you can paint an asphalt seal coat on your patch, or dust the patch with sand or cement powder to reduce tackiness. If doing a sealant, you’ll also want a brush or roller.
If the area won’t be open to pedestrian or vehicle traffic right away, you can skip the sand or cement powder step and allow it to cure at its own pace.
At Asphalt Materials, we choose premium products so no matter which type of winter patching you’re performing, you can do it right the first time. We know quality is important in order for asphalt to withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations we get here in Utah.