Solutions to Asphalt Pavement Issues
The key to maintaining an attractive parking lot or driveway is to protect your asphalt investment from deterioration. Sealcoating new asphalt within a year after installation is the most effective and cost-effective strategy to minimize costly pavement failures. Let's take a look at some general asphalt issues and ways to solve them:
Graying and oxidation
Traffic, water, gas, oil, and the sun's unforgiving rays, particularly in Florida, will wreak havoc on asphalt pavement over time. The older the pavement becomes and the more it is exposed to the environment, the more it will fade and turn grey. The greying of the asphalt indicates that it is oxidizing and drying out. The drier it becomes, the more brittle it becomes and the more likely it is to crack. If nothing is done to stop the water from accessing the asphalt cracks, the situation will worsen. To avoid additional deterioration, asphalt repairs must be undertaken as part of an ongoing asphalt pavement care plan.
Raveling
Another issue to be aware of when it comes to asphalt surface care is raveling. Raveling occurs when the binder, which functions as glue, is used to hold the stone, and sand particles that make up the asphalt begin to deteriorate. As the pavement deteriorates, pieces of aggregate will loosen and break away from the surface, making it thinner and thinner.
As fragments of asphalt break away and separate, the surface of the asphalt pavement will appear rough. This can cause a gap in the base material, allowing water to seep through.
Asphalt Cracks in a Straight Line
As asphalt pavement ages grow, transverse and longitudinal cracks become more widespread. They'll start small and grow over time. Any crack in the asphalt, once again, provides a pathway for water to enter. The fissures will continue to widen when the pavement expands owing to hot and cold temperatures.
Sealcoating the pavement early reduces cracks by locking in the binder.
Growth of Vegetation
Grass, weeds, and other plants, including trees, have been known to grow right through a parking lot's surface if holes, gaps, or joints in the asphalt are left unfilled. Not only does this create an untidy appearance in the parking lot, but the roots of the vegetation can also cause serious harm to the asphalt's base. Furthermore, as the plant grows, the visible foliage and roots will enlarge the holes, allowing more water to infiltrate the surface and eroding the base materials. Property managers can save thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements by repairing asphalt cracks before vegetation takes hold.
