Three Central Precautions for Effective Asphalt Repairs
Asphalt surfaces such as driveways and pavements are resilient and long-lasting, but they are not everlasting or infallible. In general, these structures can sustain damage due to heavy usage and exposure to loads beyond the established limits. Also, the lack of maintenance after installation will contribute to the fast deterioration of the asphalt. Additionally, incorrect installation techniques lead to premature failure of the paving. If you notice any form of damage, you must plan for immediate repairs. Here are some precautions to promote the ideal restoration of your asphalt surface.
Understand the Damage
The best approach to asphalt repair will depend on the cause and extent of damage to your structure. Therefore, you must evaluate your surface and analyse the level of compromise. If your asphalt driveway or pavement has minor cracks only, you can restore the degraded areas using a commercial filler. However, if the fissures on your surface are wide or have spread to form potholes, choose asphalt patching products. This option is cheaper for higher volume filling. In some cases, the foundation of an asphalt surface might fail due to incorrect installation or long-term neglect. This problem will necessitate replacing the gravel base before using a patching mix.
Consider the Weather
Unfavourable weather conditions will lead to unstable asphalt repairs. In simple terms, the freshly patched area will deteriorate due to poor bonding. This issue will necessitate recurrent repairs, and the total costs will be high. Therefore, check the weather forecast and ensure that you will have high temperatures during the repair. Moreover, avoid working during rainy days because the moisture and cold will prevent asphalt bonding. Keep in mind that cold patching materials are particularly sensitive to low temperatures. You can choose hot mixes for increased bonding in adverse conditions. However, the cost of hiring the asphalt laying equipment might offset the other benefits.
Seal the Surface
The primary cause of premature failure of asphalt surfaces is moisture penetration. Usually, simple hairline cracks are harmless on a driveway or general paving. However, when water seeps into the structure, it expands and contracts as the moisture freezes and melts. The continuous cycle caused the crack to expand slowly. If the damage is not addressed, the cracks will eventually lead to the formation of a large pothole. This progression can be stopped or slowed down by minimising moisture penetration. Therefore, when you complete the repairs on your structure, seal the surface against water seepage. Reseal the entire asphalt driveway or paving, instead of the restored section only, for long-lasting results.
Talk to a paving contractor if you need asphalt repairs.