Top 5 Common Causes of Asphalt Damage in Michigan’s Weather Conditions

Michigan weather does not play nice with asphalt. Between wild temperature swings, snow, rain, and daily traffic, driveways and parking lots across the state take constant hits. At Asphalt Express, we see the same issues show up year after year. Knowing what causes asphalt damage puts you ahead of the problem—and saves money long term.

Here are the five most common causes of asphalt damage in Michigan, based on what we handle daily for both residential and commercial properties.

1. Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Freeze-thaw cycles are public enemy number one for asphalt in Michigan. Water sneaks into small cracks, freezes, expands, then thaws. Repeat that process dozens of times each season and the pavement starts breaking down from the inside.

What begins as hairline cracks turns into potholes fast. Asphalt Express addresses this type of damage through proactive seal coating and maintenance, resurfacing, or full removal and replacement when the base is no longer stable.

If you want a deeper breakdown of why seal coating matters before winter, this post explains it well:
Benefits of Sealcoating for Michigan Driveways and Parking Lots Before Winter Hits

2. Water Penetration and Poor Drainage

Water is asphalt’s silent killer. Poor drainage or standing water allows moisture to sink below the surface and weaken the base. Once that happens, cracks spread, asphalt sinks, and surfaces become uneven.

During inspections, Asphalt Express looks beyond surface damage to spot drainage problems early. Depending on severity, solutions may include maintenance, parking lot resurfacing, or full replacement. Fixing water issues early can extend the life of asphalt by years.

3. Lack of Regular Seal Coating and Maintenance

Asphalt needs upkeep. Skip maintenance, and damage speeds up—no exceptions.

Without seal coating, asphalt becomes exposed to moisture, UV rays, oil leaks, and traffic wear. The surface fades, dries out, and cracks spread faster. Asphalt Express offers professional maintenance programs that protect asphalt, improve appearance, and slow deterioration before repairs get expensive.

4. Heavy Traffic and Load Stress

Commercial lots take serious abuse. Delivery trucks, constant traffic, and heavy vehicles put stress on asphalt that was not always built for that level of use.

This leads to cracking, surface wear, and structural failure. Asphalt Express provides full-scale commercial parking lot solutions, including millings, paving, and resurfacing to restore strength and improve safety.

If you’re deciding between resurfacing or mill and overlay, this guide helps make the call:
Asphalt Resurfacing vs. Mill & Overlay: Which Is Right for Your Lot

5. Aging Asphalt and Worn Base Layers

Nothing lasts forever—not even good asphalt. Over time, binding materials break down, making pavement brittle and crack-prone. If the base layer is also failing, surface fixes won’t hold.

In these cases, Asphalt Express recommends complete asphalt removal and replacement. Rebuilding from the ground up ensures long-term performance and fewer headaches down the road.

This article explains the warning signs clearly:
How to Know When Your Asphalt Needs Complete Removal & Replacement

How Asphalt Express Helps Prevent Long-Term Damage

At Asphalt Express, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. Every surface gets evaluated to determine the smartest solution—whether that’s seal coating, resurfacing, mill and overlay, or full replacement.

With decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of Michigan’s climate, we help property owners make forward-thinking decisions that reduce long-term costs and extend pavement life. You can see real project results in our asphalt project gallery.

Final Thoughts

Michigan’s climate is tough on asphalt—but damage is not unavoidable. Freeze-thaw cycles, water exposure, heavy traffic, and aging surfaces are common issues. With the right care and timely service, they are manageable.

If your driveway or parking lot is showing signs of wear, Asphalt Express is ready to help. From routine maintenance to full-scale paving projects, we deliver durable asphalt solutions built for Michigan conditions.
Reach out today through our contact page and keep your pavement strong, safe, and looking its best.