Asphalt is the most widely used building material for businesses. However, it is susceptible to wear and tear, erosion and deterioration. Despite being between 2 to 4 inches thick with a life expectancy of more than 20 years, asphalt surfaces, with poor maintenance and other factors, can crack and break.
Understanding the leading cause of asphalt damage can help you get ahead of the issue, getting the most out of your parking lot with minimal risks beyond your control.
The Substances That Are Most Likely to Damage Your Asphalt
Poor asphalt installation
Poor installation can cause premature wear and tear, cracks, and eventual asphalt damage. This mostly happens when the installation is of low quality or DIY installation. Properly installed asphalt does not demand constant resurfacing and repair and guarantees longevity for the surface. Hiring professionals is the first step to ensuring your surface lives a full life. Georgia’s Wildcat Paving aspires to deliver the highest installation quality for clients at an affordable price.
Asphalt cracking
Cracking is a threat to all infrastructure surfaces. Cracks can lead to instability, structural failure, and in worse scenarios, resurfacing or replacement. The leading cause for cracking is wear and tear, but cracks can also be caused by vegetation ingress, which causes cracking from underneath the surface.
Regular maintenance can help avoid cracking. Fix the problem while still in infancy to prevent the crack from growing and causing more damage to your asphalt surface.
Water Damage
Excessive water can lead to asphalt damage. Water damage occurs when the surface is uneven or lopsided. This causes water to pool to one spot, building up. When installing asphalt, work to even out your surface beforehand to prevent the potential risk of water damage.
Aside from erosion, water damage also causes potholes, reducing the lifespan of the driveway or parking lot. When groundwater is formed underneath the surface or seeps through cracks, it can penetrate through the surface, creating potholes. Potholes occur when the water is forced up by traffic. This leads to waterlogging of the base material and, eventually, failure and caving of the surface of that location.
Hydrocarbon materials
The integrity of asphalt surfaces can be compromised by hydrocarbon material leaking onto the surface. Diesel, petrol, and oil are examples of hydrocarbon materials. Spillage is inevitable on driveways, parking lots, roads, and public car parks.
The key to managing fuel and oil damage on asphalt is early response before the substances seep into the surface, softening the asphalt. Petrol spills are easier to manage as they can be left to harden again, whereas diesel and other hydrocarbon materials may need you to replace the surface.
Other factors that can cause damage to your asphalt are;
- Weather
- General wear and tear
- Trees and shrubs
How to properly maintain your asphalt
- Do a visual inspection
- Sealcoat your parking lot
- Repair cracks with crackseal
- Perform preventative maintenance- clean out debris, address oil stains, and avoid using salt or de-icing agents unless you have to
- Drain stagnant water
Conclusion
You can avoid damage to your asphalt through proper maintenance. Anyone can do Asphalt maintenance, but hiring professionals for consultation, installation, and regular maintenance ensures that your surface lives a full life.
Georgia’s Wildcat Paving provides you with a team of experts who perform treatment and maintenance at an affordable price. For more information, visit our website or contact us here.
