Asphalt Paving Apopka – 4 Common Problems and Solutions
Knowing how to keep your asphalt surface in shape and looking great is an important part of investing in asphalt paving in Apopka. Deteriorating asphalt materials can not only cause a property to look unsightly but it can create safety issues for all visitors to your business.
For this reason, paving contractors in Apopka highly recommended investing in asphalt sealcoating no more than a year after an asphalt installation, if not sooner. Sealcoating is the best and most cost-efficient method to avoid expensive asphalt repairs caused by pavement failures.
Still, it’s important to know some of the ways that asphalt failures happen. Below we will take a look at some common asphalt problems and solutions. If you’re preparing a project and wish to speak with one of the top paving companies in Florida about scheduling asphalt paving in Apopka, contact Atlantic Southern Paving and Sealcoating today.
4 Common Asphalt Paving Problems and Solutions
Oxidation and Graying
Over time, traffic, water, gas, oil, and UV sunlight from the powerful Florida sun will wreak havoc on asphalt surfaces. As asphalt pavement ages and becomes more and more exposed to the elements, asphalt will increasingly fade and take on a gray appearance.
The graying is a sign that the asphalt is oxidizing and drying out. The more it dries out, the more brittle it will become, leaving it prone to cracking.
This will only get worse if nothing is done to stop water from penetrating asphalt cracks. It is crucial that asphalt repairs are made part of any Apopka asphalt paving maintenance plan to avoid further decay.
Raveling
Another asphalt maintenance issue to be aware of is raveling. Raveling is when the binder holding the various particles of asphalt materials starts to deteriorate. Pieces of aggregate will loosen and eventually break away from the pavement, making it thinner as it continues to deteriorate.
When raveling occurs, the asphalt surface will appear rough as pieces of the asphalt separate and break away. When this happens, a void forms where water is able to penetrate the base material.
Linear Asphalt Cracks
Transverse and longitudinal cracks are fairly common to find as asphalt ages. Though small at first, the asphalt cracks will expand over time. Any size asphalt crack introduces an opportunity for water to penetrate.
In addition, changing hot and cold temperatures will cause the cracks to expand. Once the cracks are cleaned of dirt and debris, asphalt repairs, such as asphalt crack sealing, can be performed to prevent water damage and reduce expansion.
Plant Growth
When cracks, holes, or joints in asphalt are left unfilled, grass, weeds and other plants can begin to grow through the surface. Not only does this make for an unsightly parking lot, but the roots of the vegetation seriously damage the base layer.
On top of that, as the plant grows, roots and vegetation will widen existing gaps, allowing more water to penetrate the surface and erode base materials. For Apopka asphalt paving projects that involve parking lot maintenance, simple asphalt crack sealing can help to save thousands of dollars in future repairs.
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