Asphalt Repair
Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles are relentless — and commercial parking lots and asphalt surfaces across the Twin Cities take a beating every single year. Water infiltrates small cracks, freezes and expands through winter, and by spring those small problems have become large ones. Properties in Shakopee, MN and throughout the Metro that ignore early warning signs often end up facing full lot replacement that proper asphalt repair could have prevented. Plehal Blacktopping, LLC has been repairing commercial asphalt in the Twin Cities since 1949 — we’ve seen every failure type, and we know how to fix them right so they stay fixed.
Common Commercial Asphalt Problems
Not all asphalt damage looks the same, and not all damage has the same cause. Identifying the right problem is the first step to choosing the right repair. Here’s what we see most often on Twin Cities commercial properties:
- Alligator Cracking — Interconnected cracks resembling a web pattern indicate subbase failure or asphalt fatigue from heavy loads; this type requires removal and base repair, not just patching
- Longitudinal and Transverse Cracking — Linear cracks running with or across the pavement caused by aging, temperature cycling, or joint failures
- Potholes — Sections where asphalt has broken away completely, exposing the base layer and creating vehicle damage and liability risks
- Edge Cracking — Deterioration along lot edges and curbs due to poor drainage, lack of support, or frost heave
- Rutting and Depression — Low areas where traffic loads have deformed the asphalt, causing water to pool and accelerate further damage
- Raveling — Surface aggregate loosening from oxidized binder, leaving a rough, weakened surface that progresses to cracking and potholes
Our Commercial Asphalt Repair Solutions
Plehal Blacktopping matches the repair method to the actual problem — we don’t apply the same fix to every situation. Our goal is a repair that holds up through multiple Minnesota winters without requiring a callback.
- Saw Cut and Remove — Failed areas are saw-cut in clean straight lines, existing asphalt and compromised base material are removed, and the excavation is properly graded before new asphalt is placed — the only correct approach for structurally failed sections
- Base Repair and Replacement — When subbase failure is identified, we correct the underlying problem before placing any new asphalt
- Hot-Mix Patching — Fresh hot-mix asphalt is placed, graded, and compacted in saw-cut repair areas for a durable, long-lasting patch
- Infrared Repair — Infrared heating reactivates existing asphalt, allowing seamless integration of new material for certain repair situations
- Crack Sealing — Routing and sealing of working cracks prevents water infiltration and extends pavement life
What Makes Our Repairs Last
Plenty of contractors can apply a patch. What separates Plehal Blacktopping is why our repairs hold up through years of Minnesota freeze-thaw cycles when others fail within a season.
- Root Cause First — We identify and address what caused the failure before repairing the surface — base problems don’t fix themselves
- Proper Saw Cutting — Clean, straight cuts eliminate feathered edges that crack and fail quickly under traffic
- Correct Base Repair — When the aggregate base is compromised, we remove and replace it — no shortcuts
- Hot-Mix Material — We use quality hot-mix asphalt from regional plants, not cold patch that deteriorates quickly in commercial traffic
- Proper Compaction — Correct roller compaction achieves the density that holds up under load
Why Choose Plehal Blacktopping
- Five Decades of Commercial Repair Experience — Since 1949, we’ve repaired more Twin Cities commercial parking lots than any other contractor in the area
- BBB A+ Rating — Accredited by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota — a record built on doing repairs right
- Straightforward Assessment — We’ll tell you honestly what needs repair and what’s still in good shape — no upselling
- Largest Contractor in the Twin Cities — Fast mobilization and scheduling that fits your property’s needs
- Comprehensive Coverage — Serving Shakopee, Lakeville, Farmington, Apple Valley, Burnsville, and the full Twin Cities Metro
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth repairing, or should I just replace the lot?
That depends on how widespread the damage is and the condition of your subbase. Isolated failures in an otherwise sound lot are absolutely worth repairing. When failure is widespread and the base is compromised, replacement often makes more financial sense. We’ll give you an honest assessment of both options.
What's the difference between a patch and a repair?
A true repair involves saw cutting, removing the failed material, correcting the base if needed, and placing compacted hot-mix asphalt. A patch can mean anything from temporary cold patch to a proper hot-mix installation. We do repairs, not just patches.
How long will commercial asphalt repairs last?
Properly executed saw-and-remove repairs using hot-mix asphalt and addressing the underlying cause should last many years — often 10 or more before the surrounding pavement requires attention. Repairs that skip base correction or use cold patch tend to fail within one or two winters.
Can repairs be done in winter?
Emergency temporary repairs can be made in winter with cold mix patching when safety demands immediate action. Permanent hot-mix repairs are best scheduled when temperatures are consistently above 50°F. We’ll advise on the right approach for your situation and timeline.
Related Services
Commercial asphalt repair works best as part of a broader pavement management program:
- Asphalt Patching — Precision patching solutions for specific failed areas in otherwise sound pavement
- Pothole Repair — Fast response pothole repair to eliminate safety hazards and liability exposure
- Crack Filling & Crack Sealing — Preventive crack treatment that stops small problems before they become expensive repairs
- Asphalt Maintenance — Scheduled maintenance programs that prevent the damage cycles that lead to costly repairs
Request Your Repair Assessment
Plehal Blacktopping, LLC provides commercial asphalt repair throughout Shakopee, MN and the Twin Cities Metro. We’ll assess your property, identify the cause of every failure, and give you a clear repair plan with honest recommendations. Call (952) 445-7676 or Contact US to schedule your free evaluation today.
