How Asphalt Patching Can Help Repair Your Pavements

By Rosella Campbell


One aspect you will have to deal with if you have constructed driveways or parking lots using asphalt is cracks and potholes. Like many other paving materials, asphalt experiences shrinkage and hardening which causes cracks. There are different methods of restoring cracks and one is asphalt patching. Those beautiful black jet asphaltic driveways and parking lots can experience issues that need timely and proper repairs.

When you have laid down your pavements, the next thing to do is ensure that you maintain them properly. Even with the best designs, construction practices, materials, and expertise, if you do not take good care of your paving surfaces, they will deteriorate fast. The construction of a new driveway is something costly, and you do not want defects to render your expensive structures useless.

When the blacktop has hardened, its binding properties diminish. Usually asphaltic material goes through a series of chemical changes where the hydrocarbon molecules shuffle and rearrange themselves throughout their life. The moment they acquire equilibrium, that is when the end of the life of your asphaltic pavement reaches. During the life of these pavements, you will have to struggle with things like cracks and potholes.

The first cracks you will see are small little and tiny cracks. They are at first invisible and not a threat as such. These tiny cracking can be resolved using sealcoats. However, when you leave them to continue expanding, you will have to deal with a more complex problem. The small cracks can widen and form deep and wide cracking that requires an effective method of restoration. Patching is one way to resolve issues of potholes and localized cracks.

Potholes are formed when moisture penetrates the pavements and makes the sub grade layer loose. Potholes are also formed when heavy vehicles turn over roads and cause pressure that pushes the material apart leading to degradation of the pavements. With potholes, they need to be repaired immediately because they cause a big threat to the life of driveways. If you do not repair potholes, you might soon have to replace the entire paving structure.

However, when cracks enlarge and water penetrates inside, you could have problems such as alligatorred cracks as well as potholes. Alligator cracks form on one area or they are localized, and they can be repaired using patching. Similarly, potholes affect one area and they could also be repaired through the same procedure. In repairing your pavements, you should use the right products so that the defects can be restored properly.

Sealcoating is designed to allow the blacktop to regain its elasticity and prevent the damage caused by manmade and environmental factors. The sealcoating can seal the tiny cracks but if the cracks widen, you have to seek for more effective repair techniques. Patching is one technique that is used in localized cracks. If you have a large crack such as alligator cracks, then you can use this technique.

There are products that have been developed to provide the patching of driveways or parking lots. You ought to ensure you use quality product so that the problem is resolved. Potholes may also be repaired using this technique since they tend to be localized or occur within one area. You can do the patching yourself if you are knowledgeable, but if you lack the skill, it is better to consult a contractor experienced in road construction.




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