Asphalt Icons

3 Ways of Diagnosing When Asphalt Repairs Are Needed

With an untrained eye, asphalt repair can be difficult to identify so here are three best ways of diagnosing when asphalt repairs are needed. A few simple tricks can help you see your asphalt parking lot or paved surface through the eyes of an asphalt company. In many cases, there are options for asphalt repairs and they can take place to avoid full replacement. These are the most common concerns with asphalt and how to diagnose your surface for possible asphalt repair.

Raveling

The breakdown of asphalt as particles are dislodged from the surface is known as raveling. This leads to further damage as water will fill those spaces, further deteriorating the surface. As well, it creates uneven surfaces and an accumulation of loose debris. If you’ve ever walked through a parking lot and noticed loose gravel or grit you’ve seen asphalt raveling first hand. The breakdown of pavement by the loss of asphalt and rocks is known as raveling. As time goes on, pavement thickness decreases and gravel that loosens acts as an abrasion on the existing paved surface. This can lead to standing water and tripping hazards. The good news is that raveling can be resolved with asphalt repair! Should raveling be occurring, sometimes a simple asphalt repair patch can be applied. If your paved surface has larger areas of raveling, this can mean general asphalt failure. If this is the case, it’s best to leave it to an expert to determine if an overlay can provide asphalt repair.

Depressions

Depressions in asphalt are caused by poor compaction. Depressions are lower levels of asphalt within the pavement. These areas can be the cause of an improperly compacted surface during the paving process. If this problem isn’t resolved quickly, the water and debris that collects will weaken the asphalt’s integrity. A temporary fix to depressions can be as simple as an asphalt patch over the depressed area. However, this asphalt repair solution will not resolve the underlying issues of poor compaction. So eventually this affected area may continue to sink if not properly repaired. In many cases the best option for asphalt repair for depressions may be to remove the affected area, replace the sub grade, and then a patch be applied to the newly laid sub-grade.

Asphalt repairs
Asphalt repairs

Potholes

Weather, standing water, or an increase in heavy traffic can create potholes. Potholes are small, circular shaped depressions in paved surfaces that recess all the way through the asphalt to the base course. The edges of the potholes can be sharp and cause damage to vehicles. The pothole will also increase in size over time as moisture reaches into the area. This can be from standing water or the heat and cooling of the pavement from the change in temperature. Potholes typically are created as a result of alligator cracking also known as fatigue cracking. The interconnected cracks that spread as alligator cracking becomes severe creates large pieces of pavement which can be dislodged as vehicles drive over them. A pothole is created once that asphalt has become dislodged. This is an infamous safety hazard and are one of the most common asphalt repairs.

Interested in learning more about maintaining your asphalt driveway in Florida? Contact Asphalt Icons. We have experience in asphalt paving, repair, and sealcoating. We are licensed, insured, and committed to maintaining your asphalt driveway while providing five star customer service. If you are interested in learning more about maintaining your asphalt driveway, reach out to us at by clicking here or calling (321) 370-4736.

3 Ways of Diagnosing When Asphalt Repairs Are Needed

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