There comes a time in the life of most property owners when they realize that their asphalt pavement no longer looks the way that it did when it was new. The color may have faded, large cracks may have formed or potholes may have developed. There may be other types of damage, including low spots or alligator cracking. The problem that many people face when confronted with an aging asphalt pavement is that they are uncertain of whether they need paving or sealcoating.
Sealcoating or Paving? | Atlanta, GA | Can Sealcoating Be the Solution?
Many people overestimate the severity of the damage to their asphalt pavement. A few cracks — even if they appear to be growing — are not necessarily grounds for repaving. Neither are a few potholes. Faded color can usually be easily restored to its former glory through sealcoating. Alligator cracking and low spots can be more problematic; they often indicate that the pavement’s support has been compromised by a damaged foundation. If low spots or areas of alligator cracking are not extensive, it may still be possible to repair them. It is also important to make sure that the alligator cracking affects the pavement and not just the sealcoating.
Before your contractor applies seal coating, he will repair any damaged areas. Sealcoating was never intended to function as a crack filler or pothole sealer. However, if there are minor imperfections in the surface of the pavement, sealcoating is normally capable of filling them to make the surface appear much smoother.
Sealcoating or Paving? | Atlanta, GA | Can Paving Be the Solution?
If your pavement has many cracks that are both deep and wide, numerous areas of alligator cracking, more than a few potholes, a great many low spots or has lost all of its integrity, you should probably consider paving. An asphalt overlay may give you decades of functionality if properly maintained, and virtually no one will be able to tell whether it is an overlay or new pavement. An overlay is simply another layer of asphalt that is installed on top of the old pavement. However, cracks, potholes or other damage must be repaired prior to adding the overlay to keep the underlying damage from telegraphing through.
Although overlays are considerably less expensive than completely rebuilding your existing pavement, there are times when a total replacement may be the best long-term solution. For example, overlays are intended for use on asphalt or concrete pavements that do not have extensive base destabilization. The problem is that the overlay will almost always fail unless the base is repaired. Small areas of base damage can be handled during the paving or sealcoating process, but if your contractor is going to have to remove half of your pavement to make base repairs, it may not be as cost-effective as a complete reconstruction. However, since most issues with asphalt pavement can be handled with sealcoating or paving, you should always obtain recommendations from several experienced, reputable asphalt contractors before committing to a reconstruction project.
For Help You Can Trust, Contact MH Greeson Paving
MH Greeson Paving is a paving company in Marietta and we serve the Atlanta area. We are committed to delivering excellent work at reasonable prices to every customer. We offer a wide range of services, including asphalt repair, paving, asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, bollards, car stops and traffic signs. We have earned an outstanding reputation and have impeccable references. If you need an asphalt company you can trust, look no further than MH Greeson Paving. To request a free quote, you can either use our online form to submit the details or call our office at (770) 335-2983.
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