You work hard to keep your property in good shape. Like your appliances and home systems, the asphalt on your property requires routine maintenance and occasional repairs to stay safe, attractive, and usable.
What are the signs that it is time to schedule a repair for your asphalt paving surface? In this blog, we list nine signs you need asphalt repairs and should have Paving Professionals come evaluate your asphalt pavement parking lot or surface.
- Alligator Cracks
Alligator cracks are shallow surface defects that often span a large area of pavement. These cracks may resemble a web or an alligator’s skin, as the name implies. Often alligator cracks, according on how bad they are, can be repaired by full depth patching. In other cases the asphalt has failed in a larger area it may be time for a BST overlay or a full depth replacement of the affected asphalt. If you don’t take care of these in a timely manner it will cause serious damage to your subgrade which will require a costly repair like full depth patching or full depth replacement. Contact Paving Professionals to access your asphalt pavement condition.
- Buckling and Warping
Look at the surface of your pavement. Does the asphalt appear level and even or can you see wavy sections? This has most likely happened because of two reasons. A) Either the sub-grade was not installed correctly during construction B) Failure to repair alligator cracks (mentioned above) in a timely manner. Buckling or Warped pavement happens due to an insufficient or compromised base. This can be exacerbated by heavy vehicle use like trash trucks, tractor trailers or heavier vehicle traffic. Apartments, HOA’s and other communities that have heavier vehicle traffic entering the property will usually have areas that are buckling or warping. It first started as alligator cracks and as the subgrade became effected the weight of the trucks stopping and turning on the weaker asphalt has now caused buckling and warping. Another reason could be the sub-grade or asphalt was not applied at the correct depth upon construction. When water, enters these areas it causes the sub-grade to become unstable. The only way to fix this permanently is to remove the effected subgrade and asphalt. Once removal is complete you then need to replace with a new ABC stone layer and then a heavy-duty asphalt pavement layer. Heavy Duty asphalt is considered a minimum of 2.5” of binder asphalt mix and then topped with a minimum of 1.5” of surface asphalt mix with a total combined minimum of 4” of asphalt.
- Drainage Issues
Lingering moisture is one of the worst threats to healthy pavement since it can seep between layers and affect the binding agents. If you notice puddles in your parking lot or driveway, consult with one of Paving Professionals experienced estimators about parking lot drainage. Leveling these problem areas reduces the risk of cracks, potholes, and other damage.
- Faded Color
Over time, sunlight and frequent use can turn your pavement from black to gray. This is called oxidation. Older asphalt pavement is more susceptible to cracking due to its increasing brittleness. Strategic asphalt crack filling and regular sealcoating can protect this faded pavement from more extensive damage.
- Growing Cracks
Some pavement cracks do not need immediate repair. However, if you notice that a crack is widening quickly or measures wider than 1/4 inch, call Paving Professionals for a professional anaylsis. Asphalt patching or filling these cracks early on can increase your pavement’s lifespan in the long run. Crack Fill can be applied to the smaller cracks to protect water and other contaminants from entering the subgrade and causing serious issues in the future.
- Sinkage
Asphalt pavement sits on crushed stone or a compacted base. If this base begins to erode, you may notice sinkage, especially near buildings and other structures, such as carports.
Sinkage often indicates that your downspouts are depositing water too close to the structure, increasing the impact on the pavement below. You may need gutter repair in addition to asphalt services.
- Stains
Chemicals, including automotive fluids and industrial solvents, can eat away at the binding agents used in asphalt. If you notice a chemical spill or a stain, talk to a contractor.
These spills continue to sink into the pavement and expand outward until they’re addressed.
- Undermining
Undermining typically occurs when an underground pipe has cracked or slipped its joint. Also, sometimes an underground pipe comes loose from the drainage structure. When this happens, the crack begins to allow the soils above it to enter into the pipe until the area has undermined the asphalt surface above.
Often, a contractor can dig down to the problem area and if the problem is minor, fix it and then replace the damaged base and asphalt.
- Crumbling Edges
Parking lots and roads that are not protected on their edge with concrete gutters or curbs can experience crumbling edges. These deteriorating edges can break apart and leave debris.
Usually crumbling edges require removal and replacement of the affected asphalt.
If you notice any combination of the above signs you need asphalt repairs, schedule the necessary asphalt repairs as soon as possible. Early repair decreases the risk of vehicle damage, large holes, or asphalt replacement.
Talk to the team at Paving Professionals to determine how best to repair and restore your parking lot, driveway, or private road.
