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While asphalt is durable, it needs regular maintenance to ensure longevity. Small problems, if ignored, can lead to costly repairs or even total replacement.
The good news is that it’s easy to prevent many of these problems with early, cost-effective maintenance techniques like crack filling and seal coating. Read on to learn more about extending the lifespan of your asphalt pavement.
Painting
Asphalt surfaces are very susceptible to damage and deterioration. This is why routine maintenance by the best paving company near me is necessary. It can protect your investment, save time and money, and maintain your property’s value.
Routine crack repair is one of the best preventive maintenance measures you can take to extend the life of your asphalt pavement. It seals cracks, minimizes water penetration, and helps to prevent them from becoming potholes.
Painting your asphalt is another preventive maintenance measure that can help extend the lifespan of your pavement. However, you must be sure to use the proper type of paint and application method. Most mainstream paints are not suitable for asphalt, as they can cause it to chip or crack.
Limiting the number of large vehicles, like garbage and snow plows, on your parking lot or driveway is another way to reduce stress on your pavement. Heavy vehicles put additional pressure on your asphalt and can gouge or chip it.
Sealcoating
Asphalt pavement is a mix of rock and stone or gravel held together by asphalt binder. This binder deteriorates quickly when exposed to air and the sun’s UV rays. This deterioration causes cracks to form and spread more rapidly and other types of damage. While you cannot prevent oxidation completely, regular seal coating slows it down substantially.
Properly performed, this preventative maintenance process will reduce the repairs needed for your asphalt pavement over time. It also helps restore your pavement’s attractiveness, making it look newer.
However, your asphalt pavement should only be seal coated in the summer. During the winter, the ground temperature is too low for the sealer to bond with the surface. Additionally, the humidity can cause the sealer film to shatter or not adhere. The result is blotchy, gray pavement. You should also avoid having your asphalt seal coated when garbage or delivery trucks pick up trash. This type of excessive load can cause permanent damage to the foundation.
Weeding
Weeds are a big problem for asphalt driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks. They grow and multiply quickly, creating a tripping hazard and limiting sunlight reaching the pavement beneath.
Regularly sweeping and weeding will help prevent weed growth. It will also help keep your asphalt looking clean and new. If weeds sprout, use a long-term weed killer or boiling water instead of a short-acting spray.
Filling cracks promptly, even small ones is important because it helps delay the deterioration of asphalt. Cracks allow water and other elements to seep through the asphalt, which causes damage to its base.
Controlling traffic flow through your property will help reduce the stress that your asphalt experiences. Ensure larger vehicles like garbage trucks, delivery trucks, and snow removal vehicles only access your property when necessary. This will save your asphalt from being subjected to heavy grinding and pressure.
Managing Traffic
Asphalt can take a lot of wear and tear and is designed to last, but it deteriorates quickly if not protected. UV rays, oxidation, and water all accelerate the degradation process. Small problems like surface voids and cracks will become bigger over time and could eventually lead to serious, expensive repairs.
Taking steps to limit traffic on your property can significantly extend the lifespan of your asphalt pavement. Try to have larger vehicles like garbage trucks access your parking lot only when necessary, and move garbage dumpsters closer to the road. Standing water is the most common cause of asphalt failure. It seeps through asphalt and weakens the base, causing it to fail.
It’s also important to remember that it might be time to consider replacing your asphalt if you need more than the above maintenance tips. Replacing it is much more expensive than resurfacing or crack filling, but it may be your best option if your asphalt needs to be in better shape.
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