Preserving the beauty, safety and integrity of your asphalt pavement can only be achieved by applying a properly planned and executed preventive maintenance program. Periodic maintenance ensures that minor issues do not become major ones. Regular asphalt repair and routine maintenance can prolong the life of the pavement and minimize the total costs over time. It is much easier and less costly to maintain asphalt pavement over an extended lifespan than it is to completely replace it prematurely because of neglect.
How Minor Asphalt Potholes Can Be a Major Problem
What Causes Potholes?
As asphalt pavement ages, sunlight, traffic, and weather cause the material to weaken and lose flexibility. Moisture can enter the pavement through breaks in the surface or from underground sources, causing the pavement to become even weaker and destabilizing the pavement’s foundation. Cracks will develop or expand, subsidence can occur, and the pavement can lose its ability to rebound when subjected to the weight of traffic. As vehicles continue to drive over the fatigued pavement, it will break into pieces that can be dislodged by traffic or washed away by rain, producing a pothole. If left unrepaired, the pothole will expand in both diameter and depth, resulting in a costly repair. Potholes can damage vehicles and cause injuries to pedestrians, leaving parking lot owners liable.
How Can I Prevent Potholes?
By the time that the contractor providing your initial paving services returned to his equipment yard, your pavement had already started to oxidize from exposure to the oxygen in the air and to suffer the effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The asphalt binders within the pavement mix will dry out, weaken, and become brittle. Fortunately, it takes time for this damage to reach the irreparable stage. Asphalt sealcoating is an essential measure to preserve the integrity of the pavement and protect its interior structure. New asphalt pavement should receive its first sealcoating application as soon as the pavement has properly cured. Fresh applications of asphalt sealcoating should be performed every two to four years as a preventive maintenance measure.
A regular preventive maintenance program should include close visual inspections of the entire asphalt surface. Cracks should be noted and reported for immediate repair. Standing water after a rain is cause for concern and should be investigated by a reputable and professional asphalt paving contractor. Oil and other petrochemicals should be immediately removed from the pavement. Always keep the pavement clean and free of debris, including trash and vegetation.
What If I Already Have Potholes?
Catching and repairing potholes as quickly as possible will minimize the potential for additional damage to your asphalt pavement. Have the overall condition of your asphalt pavement assessed by a professional asphalt contractor. Get several quotes in writing from contractors who have experience performing the type of work that you need on projects of a similar scope. For example, if you need parking lot repair services for a lot covering several acres, a contractor who has only performed sealcoating work on residential driveways may not be an ideal candidate for your job. Check the contractor’s past work and references. Doing some research before you sign a contract can help you feel more confident that the work will be performed correctly. A less-than-professional job could result in more problems down the line. Remember that you need to hire the best contractor for your needs, and the best is not always the cheapest.
Where Can I Find Help?
MH Greeson focuses on asphalt maintenance for customers in Atlanta, Marietta, and most parts of North Georgia. Our services include parking lot patching, asphalt crack repair, sealcoating, parking lot striping and pavement marking, and the installation of car stops, traffic signs, and bollards. We are known for the exceptional quality of our work as well as for our affordable rates. To request a free quote, you can submit the online form or call 770-335-2983.
