Commercial Asphalt Paving: 4 Common Asphalt Pavement Issues That Need The Contractor's Attention
Asphalt pavements have many advantages over other driveway paving materials. Asphalt is safe because it offers the right level of resistance with your vehicle's wheel to prevent skidding. It is also smooth and easy to drive on, quiet, and cost-effective. If you have already installed an asphalt pavement and it has served you for a while, you may have noticed the specific weaknesses it has developed over time.
The best way to deal with asphalt pavement problems is by calling a paving contractor to help you with the maintenance and the repairs before they aggravate. Here are the four most common asphalt pavement issues that will need a contractor's attention.
When the Pavement Starts Raveling
Asphalt pavement is made using crushed rock, sand, and blackish asphalt cement. The role of the black asphalt cement is to hold together the loose gravel and create an even surface, even after the road cures. If you start noticing bits of the rock separating from the road and lying loosely on the street, your pavement has begun raveling. The problem with the loose gravel is that it abrades the remaining concrete and creates holes. A little water damage will ruin the remaining integrity of the surface.
The contractor will assess your pavement damage and decide whether to repair it with a patch or overlay the whole area with fresh asphalt.
When the Pavement Develops Portholes
Potholes are small circular depressions that penetrate down to the materials below the top layer. Cracking usually causes potholes. The cracks get bigger when heavy vehicles pass over them repeatedly.
If you do not fix them on time, vehicles can dislodge asphalt chunks between the cracks and create potholes. The best solution is to call a contractor to determine whether to seal the potholes or relay the top layer.
When the Pavement Has Depressions
Depressions on your concrete are caused by inadequate compaction during the curing process. Water collects in the pits and weakens the surface further, which can result in potholes.
When the Pavement Has Alligator Cracks
Alligator cracks are a pattern of cracks that resembles the skin of the alligator. It happens when the pavement is not thick enough or when the base course was low in quality. When you overload the pavement, the rate of crack formation accelerates.
A competent paving contractor should assess all these problems. They will determine the extent of the damage and recommend the best way to repair it in time. Contact a commercial asphalt paving service for more information.