Asphalt pavement has a natural tendency to age. Weather, traffic, and time all take a toll on asphalt pavement, causing it to change color, get worn down, and lose its ability to resist damage. Even though you may have taken measures to protect your asphalt, the pavement has likely changed significantly since it was last repaired or repaved. This is normal, and there is nothing necessarily wrong with the asphalt, but it is worth noting that it needs to be maintained and repaired periodically.
Discolored Pavement
The most common sign that your asphalt pavement needs repaving or repairing is faded or discolored pavement. As asphalt pavement ages, it becomes less resistant to water, sunlight, and vehicle traffic, which is why it becomes faded and discolored over time. If you notice that your driveway, parking lot, or street has faded or discolored pavement, it's likely time to have the asphalt surface repaired or replaced.
Standing Water
Another sign that your asphalt pavement needs to be repaired is water pooling on the surface because of a flawed drainage system. As asphalt ages and becomes less able to resist water damage, it's prone to developing small potholes and cracks in the surface, which can eventually lead to larger potholes and cracks. The small cracks and potholes further weaken the pavement and make it more susceptible to water damage. If you notice that your driveway or any other pavement has puddles and water pooled on the surface due to a drainage problem, it's likely time to have the asphalt inspected.
Multiple Cracks
Asphalt is prone to developing other types of damage as well. Recurring patches of damage to the surface of the asphalt, such as cracks and ruts, are another sign that the asphalt needs to be repaired or replaced. Recurring asphalt damages develop when the surface of the asphalt is exposed to the elements and vehicle traffic for a long period of time. These damages can grow to be quite large and cause the asphalt to become uneven, causing it to become more susceptible to further damage.
Now that you've identified some signs that your asphalt pavement needs to be replaced or repaired, it's time to make an informed decision about what to do next. If you're unsure if your asphalt needs to be repaired or replaced, a good first step is to contact a professional for an evaluation. A professional will be able to identify the underlying cause of the damage and make an assessment for residential paving. Call a professional today if you notice any of the signs listed above in your driveway.
Share14 March 2022
Paving contractors spend all day laying the pavement. We figured that the least we could do was write about it! In other words, we plan on laying the pavement of information. Yes, that sounds a little cheesy, but sometimes it's okay to sound cheesy when talking about something as serious as pavement. We caught your attention, didn't we? Now that we've caught your attention, allow us to share a little more about this blog. It will feature articles about paving and pavement contractors, and we plan on providing a lot of different information and perspectives as we go. You're welcome to join us!