Common Causes of Asphalt Damage and How to Prevent Them

One of the most versatile and durable materials for pavement is asphalt. Smooth and strong asphalt pavement and roads can last long as long as they are maintained properly and with care. Due to its versatility pavement made of asphalt can easily take passenger cars as well as heavy trucks. Though it is known for its strong and durable nature, it will also face wear and tear if not cared for properly. From the lifespan of 15-20 years, it will come down to only 3-5 years without maintenance due to cracks and potholes.

Cracks on asphalt

Asphalt faces different types of cracks due to heavy loads, low-quality material and weather forces. But it is necessary to know the difference between the cracks and how to fix them. Fixing with Asphalt Maintenance Tips without knowing the type of cracks would lead to future issues. 

Alligator Cracks: 

They are also known as fatigue cracks as they are caused by chronic heavy load, flaws in the structure and poor drainage. Due to the small cracks, it almost looks like alligator skin. Due to being a structural flaw, it requires a full-depth patch repair. The new patch strengthens and restores the integrity in order to prevent future cracks.

In severe cases, small chunks interconnected alligator cracks get loosened. These get dislodged as cars are driven over them. This dislodging creates potholes which are one of the major causes of road accidents. The pothole surface can be treated with full-depth replacement. 

Edge Crack: 

It happens mainly due to a lack of support to the edge, growth of vegetation, heavy traffic and improper drainage. It is necessary to remove any vegetation near the edge. Sealing or filling the crack would also help with restoring the pavement.

Linear Cracks: 

These happen due to the fatigue caused by weak points in joints, wear and tear and asphalt shrinkage. Smaller cracks like half an inch or less can be treated with sealant to prevent moisture from entering. Sever cracks require the cracked layer to be replaced with an overlay. Properly treating the cracks can help the pavement last a considerable amount of time.