Whether it’s a road, a parking lot, trail, or driveway, asphalt is a cost effective and sturdy paving material that is easy to maintain and fix when the time comes. Rain, snow, sun, and heavy traffic are just a few examples of environmental stressors that can cause damage to asphalt, but there are ways to protect and prevent these things from causing major costly damage:
- Depressions. These are caused by repetitive stress like tires (this is often found in parking spots) or poor support when the asphalt was first poured. The best way to remedy this to prevent further damage in the future would be to remove the effective patch and start from the bottom. Refilling subgrade and pouring fresh asphalt will make the spot good as new and save you from costly repairs in the future!
- Potholes. Potholes are large bowl-like holes in the asphalt that go down to the base level. Beyond being an eyesore, potholes can be extremely dangerous and can cause major damage to vehicles as well as add a trip hazard to pedestrians which can result in costly lawsuits. The best way to prevent potholes is to watch for alligator cracking (lines caused by structural failure often found in heavy traffic areas) and sealcoating when these lines may appear. If it’s too late, the only way to fix a pothole is to remove any debris and moisture from the hole, refill with asphalt and flatten with a drum roller.
- Edge cracks. Edge cracks are mostly found on more rural roads and driveways. These are caused by a lack of support and heavy traffic. The best way to prevent this is to make sure there are plenty of opportunities for drainage to keep excess moisture from breaking down the asphalt. Another preventative measure would be to apply a layer of sealcoating immediately after the asphalt cures to protect against weather.
Preventing your asphalt from costly damage is simple with timely maintenance. Contact Armored Asphalt today at (262) 515-4150 to set up a no cost quote for routine maintenance or to fix any of these issues you may have!
