When maintaining and repairing asphalt surfaces, patching plays a crucial role. Whether it is filling potholes, repairing cracks, or addressing other damages, asphalt patching is an essential process that helps prolong the life of your pavement.
When Is Asphalt Patching Necessary?
Asphalt surfaces endure constant wear and tear. Over time, cracks may start appearing, or potholes may form. These visible signs indicate the need for immediate attention through asphalt patching. Ignoring these issues can lead to further deterioration of your pavement and may even cause damage to vehicles.
Before initiating any patching work, it is crucial to assess the severity and extent of the damage. A professional evaluation helps determine whether a simple surface repair or a more comprehensive approach is necessary.
How Does Asphalt Patching Work?
Asphalt patching involves various steps that ensure a durable repair. The process typically begins with cleaning the damaged area thoroughly by removing debris and loose materials. After removing the debris, the voids are filled with hot or cold mix asphalt depending on specific requirements.
Different techniques are employed in asphalt patchwork based on location, climate conditions, and budgetary constraints. Throw-and-roll, semi-permanent, and full-depth patches are easily among the most common options.
How Long Does An Asphalt Patch Last?
The longevity of an asphalt patch depends on various factors. The quality of materials used, the contractor's expertise in performing the repair, and the underlying condition of the pavement are all significant contributors to how long a patch will last. Choosing reputable contractors and using high-quality materials is vital for better results.
Unfortunately, homeowners that patch their asphalt without professional help may find that the results are less than ideal. In particular, the area may need to be repatched due to the formation of cracks or even the patch completely failing.
Is It Possible To Match The Existing Pavement Color During Asphalt Patch Repairs?
Achieving a seamless color match between the existing pavement and an asphalt patch can be challenging due to various factors. Age-related fading and weather exposure differences between old and new surfaces significantly affect color-matching accuracy.
Though achieving an exact color match can be difficult, techniques and solutions are available to get close. Using pigments or dyes in the asphalt mix, blending different aggregate materials, and applying surface treatments like color coatings are all methods to enhance color matching.
After completing the repair, sealing the asphalt can further blend the patch. However, you must wait until the patch has fully cured before the new sealant is applied to it. Otherwise, the sealant may interfere with the curing process.
Contact a local paving service, such as Cornerstone Paving, to learn more.
Share28 June 2023
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!