How to Identify Common Asphalt Problems & Solutions to fix them?

You might often see cracks and damage on the roads, parking lots, your home's entrance, and bridges around you. This is because of the poor mixing or application by the asphalt paving company, which may require repairs sooner than expected. Or, if not, then the weather might be another cause of this disruption. 

This could cause you hassle and disruption in your day-to-day work. So, instead of getting lost in the turmoil, it's time you know the reason behind these and also look at the Asphalt Repair to avoid them in the future.  

Watch out for these common asphalt problems so that the next time they appear, you'll have a quick fix that you can apply immediately.

Listing top asphalt problems with their fixes

Failing to maintain the asphalt paving can put you in a situation where you might end up facing more challenges than ever before. So here we are listing out major asphalt pavement defects and their repairs to fix them ASAP.

1. Alligator cracking:

Alligator cracking is a type of pavement damage that looks like the dry and cracked skin of an alligator. If left untreated, it can worsen over time and lead to more expensive repairs, such as potholes. An improperly compacted base is often to blame for this type of cracking, which appears as scales in multiple directions.

Solution:You cannot simply do a patch job. If the damage has occurred only in a small area, the best solution is to remove the damaged asphalt, compact the base, and patch it. If the cracks are widespread, a full asphalt overlay may be necessary.

1. Block cracking:

This is a type of cracking that takes the shape of rectangular patterns in asphalt pavement. This happens because the binding agent in the asphalt is weak or dissipates over time, causing the surface not to contract and expand properly with temperature changes. Block cracking can also spread and lead to more serious damage, such as potholes. Cracks have a rough, interconnected, rectangular appearance and result from factors such as poor paving, a dry mixture, low-quality asphalt, or aging asphalt.

Solution: To address the cracks in asphalt, fill them up with sealant and then reapply sealing to the entire coated area. However, if the block cracking is severe, it may be necessary to replace the entire asphalt surface. 

1. Edge cracking:

Another common defect that can be seen on most roads is edge crack. As its name suggests, it appears on the edge of the asphalt parking lot. This can happen because of poor drainage or sometimes heavy traffic along the edge of the pavement surfaces. It's crucial to look into every boundary if you see crack forms on one side of the pavement structure to ensure that there is an adequate internal support system in place to stop additional damage.

Solution: Repairing edge cracking can be easy as minor cracks can be filled with a patch. However, to prevent the cracks from returning, the foundation must be replaced and protected from erosion. If the edge cracking is severe, the asphalt may need to be removed.

1. Slippage cracking:

Often seen in the form of a half moon, these cracks occur when there is poor cohesion and compaction between two layers of asphalt pavement. This typically occurs when new asphalt is placed over existing asphalt without properly combining the two mixtures. Dirt, contaminants, oil spills, and vehicle leaks can further weaken the asphalt, leading to the development of these cracks.

Solution: To get rid of slippage cracks, you need to remove the affected area completely and re patched partially with the help of a professional who understands the depth behind such cracks.  

1. Potholes: 

Potholes usually form in the shape of bowls, which naturally begin as small cracks in the asphalt pavement and can get worsen over time due to exposure to weather conditions, heavy traffic and water accumulation. Moisture and debris can seep into the pavement, causing internal damage, while standing water can create bowl-shaped depressions as it is repeatedly driven over.

Solution: To fix a pothole, start by first cleaning it out and compacting the base before adding any necessary additional base material. Then, finally, patch the pothole with the help of an expert.

The takeaway

Now that you know how important it is to recognise and address common asphalt issues and maintain the integrity and longevity of the paved areas, its time to make some solid decisions.

The use of asphalt repair methods, such as patching, seal coating and overlaying, aims to restore the surface to its original state or as close to it as possible. Line Marking Plus offers you high-performance permanent patch repair service using asphalt patch along with crack sealing, since they consider their every customer valuable. Contact them today to take advantage of this offer.