Vancouver Rain Might Be Slowly Destroying Your Asphalt
You know what’s oddly comforting about Vancouver? The rain. It’s always there. Like a reliable old friend who shows up uninvited, but brings snacks. Except… sometimes that “friend” overstays their welcome and starts quietly wrecking your stuff.
Have you ever thought about what all that rain is doing to your driveway or parking lot?
No? That’s okay. Most people don’t, until they’re dodging a crater-sized pothole or their once-smooth surface starts looking like cracked desert clay. It creeps up on you, like wet socks or a windshield fogging up at the worst time.
Let us explain.
Rain Doesn’t Just Fall and Leave. It Sneaks In
Here’s the thing: water is patient. It’s persistent. And it’s really good at finding its way into tiny openings.
That little surface crack in your asphalt? Rain finds it.
Then it sinks in, settles underneath the surface, and waits for a cold night. When that water freezes, it expands. Pushing the asphalt up and apart. Repeat that a few dozen times and you’re not looking at “character lines” anymore. You’ve got real problems.
And if your property isn’t graded properly? That water pools. And pools turn into soft spots.
And soft spots? Yes… those are where potholes are born.
“But It Looks Fine Right Now…”
We hear this a lot (way more than you think). And it’s true… for a while.
But have you noticed any of these sneaky signs lately?
- Water that lingers after a rainstorm, especially near the edges
- Fine cracks that are starting to look like a spiderweb
- Discolouration: it just doesn’t look like fresh blacktop anymore
- Rough spots that feel… off underfoot or when driving
If any of that sounds familiar, don’t panic. But don’t ignore it, either. Asphalt issues don’t go away on their own. They just get sneakier, and unfortunately more expensive to fix.
So What Can You Do About It? (Besides Moving to Kamloops)
Let’s be real, you’re not going to build a roof over your parking lot. But there are smart things you can do, especially before the next wave of rainy weather rolls in.
At Burnaby Blacktop, we’ve been dealing with this kind of stuff across the Lower Mainland for over a decade. This isn’t new to us. We’ve seen what happens when rain gets the upper hand, and we know how to shut it down.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Crack Sealing: It’s simple, effective, and affordable. We clean out the cracks and fill them with a rubberized material that expands and contracts with temperature changes. Think of it like giving your asphalt a raincoat.
- Sealcoating: This one’s like sunscreen. It protects your pavement from UV, water, oil, and everyday wear. It also makes it look fresh again (because let’s be honest, tired grey asphalt just feels and looks sad).
- Surface Repairs: Got a pothole already? We’ll take care of it properly, no “shovel and stomp” quick fixes here. We cut it clean, rebuild the base, and patch it so it blends right in. No one will ever know.
- Drainage Solutions: Sometimes, the real fix isn’t just about what’s on top. If water isn’t draining right, the best patch in the world won’t last. We assess grading and run-off to make sure future puddles have somewhere better to go.
Our best advice?
Don’t Wait for It to Get Worse
Honestly, by the time it’s visibly bad, you’re already behind. The key to extending the life of your driveway or lot is catching problems early before the water gets comfy and makes itself at home under your surface.
Think of it like regular dental check-ups. You don’t want to wait until you need a root canal, right?
How Would You Handle It?
If you’re noticing even small issues or you just want to avoid the headache entirely, talk to us.
We’re local. We understand the soggy realities of Vancouver weather. And we genuinely like this stuff (which is kind of weird, but it works in your favour).
Let’s keep your pavement solid, safe, and good-looking season after season.
Reach out for a free quote, ask us questions, or just share your paving concern. We’re good listeners.