Asphalt is a durable and versatile paving material, widely used in commercial settings for parking lots, driveways, and roadways. However, despite its resilience, asphalt surfaces are prone to various forms of damage over time. Understanding the different repair techniques and knowing when to apply them can significantly extend the lifespan of asphalt pavement. Here’s a comprehensive look at common asphalt repair techniques and when commercial companies should consider them.
1. Crack Filling and Sealing
Cracks in asphalt surfaces can be caused by water infiltration, thermal expansion, contraction, or overloading. If left unattended, these cracks can lead to serious deterioration of the pavement.
Technique
Crack filling involves placing a hot or cold pour filler into cracks to prevent water and debris from entering. Sealing, on the other hand, involves applying a sealant on top of the crack.
When to Use Crack Filling and Sealing
- Early Detection of Cracks: As soon as hairline cracks (less than 1/4 inch wide) are observed in the pavement, crack filling can be used to prevent them from expanding and causing more significant damage.
- Seasonal Maintenance: Before the onset of colder weather, sealing cracks can help prevent water from entering, freezing, and then expanding within the pavement, leading to more severe cracking and potholes.
- After Winter: Post-winter inspections often reveal new or widened cracks due to seasonal stresses. Addressing these cracks promptly in the spring can prevent them from worsening during the hot summer months when the asphalt is more pliable and susceptible to damage.
- Before Surface Treatments: Before applying sealcoating or overlays, filling or sealing cracks is crucial to ensure a uniform surface supporting the new treatment and enhancing its longevity.
- Low-Traffic Areas: In areas of pavement that receive less vehicular traffic, crack sealing can be sufficient to maintain the integrity of the surface without needing more intensive repairs that might be necessary in high-traffic areas.
- Preventive Maintenance: As part of a regular pavement maintenance program, cracks should be filled and sealed as soon as they are noticeable to maintain the pavement’s aesthetic and structural integrity.
2. Asphalt Patching
Patching is used to repair localized problems that involve removing sections of the pavement that are severely damaged.
Asphalt Patching Technique
There are two primary asphalt patching techniques: remove and replace, and surface patching. Remove and replace involves cutting out the damaged area, cleaning it, and filling it with a new asphalt mix. This is often a permanent repair method. Surface patching, less durable than the full-depth method, involves applying a new asphalt layer over the damaged area.
During either asphalt patching process, one to two inches of hot asphalt is poured over the damaged pavement before patching it up. However, cold mix asphalt is sometimes used during patching for a temporary fix.
When to Use Asphalt Patching
- Potholes: Patching is the go-to solution for potholes, which are circular or oval-shaped holes in the pavement that penetrate the surface and can reach deep into the base layer. Potholes are particularly hazardous to vehicles and pedestrians, making timely repairs essential.
- Severe Cracking: Large, interconnected cracks, often called alligator cracks due to their resemblance to alligator skin, indicate significant structural failure. Patching these areas can prevent further damage and restore the integrity of the pavement.
- Utility Cuts: Following underground utility repairs (like water or sewer line fixes), the excavated sections of the pavement need to be patched to restore surface continuity and structural stability.
- Surface Deterioration: Areas of the pavement that have suffered from extensive wear and tear, such as rutting or depressions, can benefit from patching to ensure a level and durable surface.
- Water Damage: If standing water has weakened areas of the pavement, causing the surface to break up or sink, patching can correct these issues by replacing the compromised asphalt and often improving drainage.
3. Overlay
When the surface of asphalt pavement has widespread wear and tear, but the base layer remains structurally sound, an overlay is often a cost-effective repair method.
Technique
This involves placing a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement. Before an overlay, any significant cracks or potholes need to be repaired to prevent the same problems from reflecting through to the new surface.
When to Use
- Moderate to Severe Surface Aging: When the pavement shows signs of aging such as raveling (the loss of aggregates), extensive surface cracking, and roughness, but the issues are predominantly surface-level, an overlay can restore the smoothness and performance of the pavement.
- Large Areas of Fading and Discoloration: Over time, UV rays, weather conditions, and traffic can cause the asphalt to fade and lose its rich, black appearance. An overlay can refresh the pavement’s appearance.
- Minor Structural Deterioration: For pavements that start to show minor structural issues like shallow alligator cracking confined to the top layer, an overlay can provide the necessary reinforcement to prevent further damage.
- Thickness Restoration: Pavements that have been worn down over time due to traffic loads can benefit from overlays to restore the original pavement thickness, thereby improving its load-bearing capacity.
- Pre-Seal Coat Preparation: Before a seal coat is applied for extra protection against water and oxidation, an overlay can ensure that the underlying pavement is smooth and defect-free, improving the sealant’s effectiveness and longevity.
4. Milling and Resurfacing
Asphalt milling involves removing the top layer of asphalt before applying a new coat, which can restore the pavement to a like-new condition.
Technique
Milling machines grind up the existing damaged asphalt layer, which is then recycled. After milling, a new asphalt layer is laid down.
When to Use
- Deep Surface Damage: This occurs when the pavement has extensive damage, including large areas of cracking, potholes, and surface deformations that affect the ride quality but do not involve the base layer.
- Rutting and Depressions: Areas where the pavement has formed ruts or depressions due to heavy traffic or inadequate initial construction. Milling can remove these imperfections, and resurfacing can restore a level and smooth driving surface.
- Thickness Correction: If the pavement’s surface has become too high relative to curbs, manhole covers, or gutter lines, milling can adjust the elevation, followed by resurfacing to apply the correct pavement thickness.
- Preventive Maintenance: For older pavements that show signs of surface oxidation and minor cracking, milling, and resurfacing can remove the weathered layer and apply a new, durable top layer, thus extending the pavement’s life.
- Surface Renewal: In cases where the pavement’s surface has become extensively faded and worn, affecting aesthetics and potentially safety (due to reduced skid resistance), milling and resurfacing provide a new, high-quality driving surface.
- Improving Surface Properties: When specific modifications are needed, such as improving skid resistance, adjusting the surface texture for noise reduction, or updating the pavement to meet new regulatory standards for safety and performance.
5. Full-depth Reclamation
Full-depth asphalt removal and reclamation may be necessary for severely damaged asphalt pavements where the base layer is also compromised.
Technique
This process involves pulverizing the existing asphalt layer along with a portion of the underlying base layer, mixing it, then laying it back down and compacting it to form a new base layer. This is often followed by the laying of new asphalt.
When to Use
- Severe Pavement Deterioration: This method is suitable for pavements that exhibit widespread, severe structural failures, including deep cracks, large potholes, and significant base or subbase instability. This level of damage typically goes beyond the capabilities of surface treatments or overlays to repair.
- Compromised Base Layer: When the base or subbase materials have deteriorated due to moisture infiltration, poor initial construction, or overloading. FDR can reconstruct these layers with a more durable and stable foundation.
- Cost-Effective Reconstruction: FDR can be a more cost-effective solution for pavements requiring complete reconstruction than traditional excavation and replacement methods because it recycles much of the existing material.
- Improving Load-Bearing Capacity: If the existing pavement needs to be upgraded to handle higher traffic volumes or heavier loads, FDR can improve the structural capacity of the pavement system.
- Environmental Sustainability: FDR is an environmentally friendly option as it reduces the need for new materials by recycling the existing pavement and base materials. This method significantly lowers the carbon footprint associated with pavement reconstruction.
- Subgrade Issues: In cases where the subgrade has become unstable or unsuitable, FDR corrects these issues by mixing in stabilizing agents (such as cement, lime, or asphalt emulsion) directly into the reclaimed base material.
Why Should Commercial Companies Consider Asphalt Paving Repair?
Cost-Effectiveness
Regular maintenance and timely repairs prevent the high costs associated with a complete pavement replacement or extensive repairs.
Safety
Maintaining the integrity of your asphalt surfaces prevents accidents, reduces liability risks, and ensures a positive impression on customers.
Longevity
Properly maintained asphalt lasts significantly longer, making it a smart long-term investment.
Aesthetics
A well-maintained asphalt surface boosts the appearance of your commercial property.
Sustainability
Regular upkeep and repairs, especially using techniques like milling and full-depth reclamation, contribute to sustainable practices by reducing waste and recycling materials. Sustainability is increasingly important to consumers and regulatory bodies.
Choose Lone Star Paving for All of Your Asphalt Paving Needs
Lone Star Paving understands that repairing asphalt pavement is crucial for extending its lifespan and maintaining safety and aesthetics. By employing a range of common methods for repairing damaged asphalt, such as crack filling and sealing, patching overlays, milling and resurfacing, and full-depth reclamation, we tailor our approach to meet the specific needs of each pavement situation.
Whether addressing minor early-stage damage or undertaking comprehensive rehabilitation, our methods are designed to be cost-effective and environmentally friendly, to keep your investment protected. With expertise in the latest pavement maintenance technologies and a commitment to quality, Lone Star Paving is your trusted partner in keeping your asphalt surfaces in top condition. Contact us today for a free on-site consultation.
