Pavement deterioration can be the result of the normal aging process. Without proper maintenance, few asphalt pavements will last for more than 12 or 15 years, but a proactive maintenance program can more than double that time. If the pavement has been installed correctly, accelerated deterioration is usually caused by either neglect or abuse.
Neglected Pavement
Asphalt black top is very durable and resilient, but it needs a little help occasionally if it is to last for its entire lifespan.
• Have cracks or other breaks in the pavement, such as potholes, repaired promptly. Otherwise, water will drain into these openings and reach the pavement’s supporting foundation. The water will erode the foundation, and when it freezes, even more extensive damage can be done. A damaged foundation will not have the stability to keep the pavement from shifting or sagging, so normal traffic can cause extensive cracking in the pavement; this cracking can quickly turn into potholes or alligator cracking.
• Have sealcoating reapplied every two to five years, depending on your pavement’s load and use. Sealcoating dramatically reduces the damages caused by UV rays, which can make asphalt pavement dry and crumbly. It also helps protect against staining and damages caused by oil-based automotive fluids, which can break down your pavement.
• Do not rely on sealcoating alone to protect your asphalt. Automotive fluids should be cleaned promptly to prevent them from penetrating the sealcoating and reaching the asphalt. Debris, such as piles of leaves or trash, should be removed to prevent staining as well as the accumulation of moisture beneath them.
Abused Pavement
No one sets out to abuse their pavement intentionally. However, unintentional abuse often occurs. For example, most asphalt pavements are not designed to withstand the rocking motion generated by dumpster trucks. Neighborhood lanes are not meant to bear the weight of fully loaded 18-wheelers, and residential driveways are not engineered to be parking areas for heavy equipment. Pavement can also be damaged if the number of vehicles increases significantly in a short period. This is a common occurrence when a major thoroughfare is undergoing extensive renovation and traffic shifts to another route that was not engineered for so many vehicles.
If You Need Help
MH Greeson Paving offers a wide range of asphalt paving, asphalt maintenance and asphalt repair services to customers in the greater Atlanta area and most locations in North Georgia. We are committed to giving our customers what they want at the best price possible. Sealcoating, pavement markings, crack filling and pothole repairs are just some of the services we provide. We offer free, no-obligation quotes; just submit our online form or call us at 770-335-2983.
