A pothole at a store entrance in January cannot wait for spring. Winter mix asphalt gives commercial properties a hot, compacted repair during the cold months instead of a stopgap.
McKearney Asphalt & Sealing offers winter mix asphalt repairs for parking lots, backed by our asphalt contractor in Lansing, MI, in business since 1982.
Here's what property managers should know about winter mix.
What Winter Mix Asphalt Is
Winter mix is hot asphalt formulated to stay workable when the air is cold. It is mixed and placed hot, then compacted, so it bonds and sets up like the pavement around it.
That is different from a bag of patch material sitting in a shed. The mix arrives warm and goes straight into a prepared hole.
How It Differs From Cold Patch
Cold patch asphalt is a premixed material that needs no heat. Crews can toss it into a wet pothole in any weather, which makes it a fast emergency fix.
Winter mix takes more setup, but it is meant to last. On our own site we describe cold patch as the immediate, temporary option and winter mix as the more permanent, durable one.
Why Hot Asphalt Holds Up Better
Federal highway researchers call hot mix a to stockpiled cold mix. The same manual notes that patches placed in winter conditions generally wear out sooner than patches placed in spring.
A hot, compacted repair gives a busy lot a better chance of making it to paving season without a second patch.
When Crews Reach for Winter Mix
Freeze-thaw cycles open new holes all winter, as we cover in what causes winter potholes. Winter mix makes the most sense where traffic is heavy and a failed patch would cause trouble fast.
Typical spots include drive entrances, fire lanes, loading docks and the main aisles of a retail or office lot. A cold patch can hold a small hole for a few days while a winter mix repair gets scheduled.
How a Winter Mix Repair Is Done
A durable repair starts with the hole, not the asphalt. Crews clear out water, slush and loose debris, then cut the edges square into solid pavement.
The hot mix goes in next and is compacted tight against those edges. Once the crew and equipment clear out, traffic can usually roll over it again.
Plan Ahead for Hot Asphalt
Hot asphalt is harder to come by in winter because close for the season. That is why so many winter repairs default to cold patch.
Calling early helps us line up material for your lot. If you are weighing timing, our guide on scheduling hot-mix asphalt repairs walks through the warning signs.
For bigger damage, a full parking lot paving project may wait for spring. You can see every option on our asphalt services page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can winter mix asphalt go down when it is below freezing?
Yes, in most cases. McKearney Asphalt's winter mix is formulated to stay workable in cold temperatures, and it can be applied even when the thermometer drops below freezing.
Crews still need to clear standing water, snow and ice from the hole first. Placing hot mix into a slushy pothole would undercut the bond, so prep matters as much as the material does.
Can property managers pick up winter mix for their own maintenance crews?
Yes. Along with repairs, McKearney Asphalt sells winter asphalt for pickup or delivery from our Lansing yard on Old U.S. 27, carried in heated hot boxes so it stays workable.
Orders should be confirmed 24 hours ahead, and our office takes calls Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 at (517) 484-3188.
Why is hot asphalt hard to find in winter?
Most asphalt plants that produce hot mix shut down for the cold season. That leaves many road crews and contractors with stockpiled or bagged cold mix until spring.
A research project from the Ohio Department of Transportation describes exactly this pattern. Cold mix quality can also vary from plant to plant, which is one reason winter patches often have to be redone.
How long will a winter pothole patch last?
It depends on the material, the prep and the traffic load. Patches placed during winter usually have a shorter life than patches placed in spring, because more freeze-thaw cycles are still ahead.
The Federal Highway Administration notes that well-placed winter cold mix patches can last from several days to several months. A hot, compacted repair is the better bet for high-traffic areas.
How soon can cars drive on a winter mix patch?
Usually as soon as the crew finishes compacting and moves its equipment out of the way. There is no long cure time like there is with sealcoating or concrete.
For a busy commercial lot, that means a drive lane or entrance may only need to be coned off for a short window. Your crew lead can tell you what to expect for your site.
Request a Quote for Winter Mix Repairs
Winter mix asphalt keeps a damaged commercial lot safe until full paving season returns. Reach out to our asphalt company in Lansing, MI before the next freeze-thaw cycle opens more holes.
Call McKearney Asphalt & Sealing today at (517) 484-3188 or request a quote online.
