Common Asphalt Pavement Problems That Surely Need Pro Fixing

September 27, 2022 Joshua Ramirez

Asphalt pavements are great. They look good and provide great functionality as well. However, like all things, even the toughest asphalt pavements are prone to damage. How well your pavement lasts is actually much dependent on its maintenance. Also, maintaining your asphalt is absolutely necessary. There are some common types of problems that occur with many pavements.

First of all, you have to look at these as exterior tangibles that are always prone to harsh elements. Depending on use, age will vary as well. Domestic pavements last longer than commercial ones. Many buildings have these for their parking lots. Driveways and domestic surfaces are often paved as well. So, here is some more information on it for common knowledge:

Table of Contents

Different Types of Pavement Cracking

Pavement cracking is very real and all too often no matter how good the work. There are many different types of cracking associated with different problems. Most of these require different solutions and treatments as well. Here are some most common types:

Block Cracking – If you have squares or circles of cracks going along in the pavement, it is likely block cracking. Most commonly, pavement installer may use old mix or a too dry mix that causes this. These types of cracks often appear 2-3 years down the line. This doesn’t extend to sub-layers. So, overlaying crack sealants can provide the required repair.

Fatigue Cracking – When numerous small cracks start to appear in a localized area resembling alligator skin, it is fatigue cracking. Excessive heavy loads or a flaw in design or installation of asphalt are common causes. Poor drainage can also give rise to fatigue cracking. In-depth patch-work is required to restore the strength and integrity of the surface

Edge Cracking – Then there is edge cracking that will appear alongside the edges. These will typically be long and be along the direction of the pavement. Soil might shrink or move under the surface to cause edge cracks. Poor drainage, large heavy traffic on the edge of the road or big vegetation on the edges might also contribute. Filling with asphalt emulsion is the way to go.

Slippage Cracks – These will look like the asphalt is slipping away along the surface of that pavement. There will be wrinkles and deep open gaps. When the top layer fails to adhere perfectly to the layer beneath, this will happen. Full or partial depth patch-work will be required.

Rutting

In addition to cracking, there are many other asphalt paving problems. Rutting is known as an occurring where indentations along vehicle wheel path arise. Surface layers might compress to produce rutting driveway. Moisture infiltration or insufficient compaction during install might cause rutting. Heavy traffic or vehicles will severe the problem. You will need a good driveway paving company Washington to fix the problem through applying cold mill and overlaying a thin patch layer to level the surface.

Corrugations

When you get lumps and bumps in the paved surface, it is called corrugations. Different reasons for these can include excessive moisture in the base, contamination and/or too high asphalt mixture. A wrong grade of asphalt can also give rise to early corrugations. These will typically appear after a few years of laying the surface. Cutting out the affected patches and replacing with depth-patches is the only way to repair if not for full surface relaying.

Potholes

The dreaded potholes. When you leave any of rutting, swelling, patch failures, cracks or other problems to worsen, you will get potholes. There can be so many ways potholes can develop. Usually, potholes are common on paved surfaces that get heavy traffic. Filling with cold mix can solve the problem. However, potholes are some of the most dreaded problems in paved surfaces. Severe tire and suspension damage can occur to vehicles of all kinds, sizes and weight categories.

Grade Depressions

When some part of the pavement sets lower than the rest, it is grade depression. Heavy rain showers usually give these away as water pools in depressed areas. Improper installation and lower layers settling or failing will give rise to grade depressions. Infracted patches, cold mill and surface overlay from a reasonable asphalt paving company will he required.

Swelling of Asphalt pavement

Swelling is actually very common for paved surfaces too. Soil beneath might expand or shrink giving rise to swelling pavement. Different seasons can bring these about as well. Any shift in soil might be the cause as well during heavy rain season. Cutting out the damaged area and full-depth patch are repairs.

Regular Aging and Weathering

In hot or cold regions, weathering can be a severe factor for pavement damage. The deep, rich black color of an asphalt paved surface will change and discolor overtime in such regions. Temperature shifts are the factors to blame with residual moisture or snow. Proper maintenance and timely visits from professionals are the only ways to go.

Bleeding

When the asphalt binder leaks through the paved surface, you will get bleeding. This will create a black, shiny coating on top. It is also very sticky and messy creating excessively slick areas during rainy season. When too much asphalt is used, some binders will leak through. Applying a coarse sand mixture across the paved surface will soak up excess binding material.

Patch Failures

Many types of pavement damages are fixed with patches. So, improper patch installation and deterioration of its surrounding pavement combined with harsh weather might reduce patch’s life. This is called patch failure. The only obvious fix is to relay the patches with quality materials.