5 top causes of asphalt damage

Understanding Asphalt Damage: Common Causes and Signs

Asphalt offers durability and a smooth finish, making it a popular choice for roads, driveways, and parking lots. However, even the sturdiest asphalt surfaces can deteriorate over time. Recognizing the early signs of damage and understanding its causes can help in applying timely interventions to prolong the lifespan of your asphalt surfaces.

In this article, we’re going to discuss the 5 top causes of asphalt damage and how to spot them. While we don’t have control over temperature fluctuations we can help minimize and prevent certain types of pavement degradation.

As asphalt maintenance professionals we like to remind our clients that the age old wisdom of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Common Causes of Asphalt Damage

• Water Infiltration: Perhaps the most significant factor contributing to asphalt deterioration is water infiltration. When water penetrates the asphalt through cracks or unsealed surfaces, it can erode the base, leading to issues like potholes and further cracking.
• UV Radiation: Over time, the ultraviolet rays from the sun can oxidize the surface of the asphalt, causing it to fade and become brittle. This process makes the asphalt more susceptible to cracking.
• Chemical Exposure: Asphalt can also be damaged by exposure to chemicals such as oil, gasoline, and de-icing salts. These substances can break down the binders in asphalt, leading to soft spots and eventual disintegration. We wrote about our oil spot repair for a local pizzeria over here.
• Load Stress: Heavy traffic loads can stress the asphalt beyond its capacity, especially if the pavement was not designed for high traffic volumes or heavy vehicles. This stress can manifest as cracking, rutting, and other forms of structural failure.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Frequent and extreme temperature changes can cause the asphalt to expand and contract, which may lead to cracking if the pavement is not flexible enough to accommodate these movements.

Signs of Asphalt Damage

• Cracking: Various types of cracks, such as alligator cracks (a series of interconnected cracks resembling an alligator’s skin), longitudinal cracks (along the length of the road), and transverse cracks (across the pavement), are clear indicators of distress.
• Potholes: These are bowl-shaped depressions in the pavement surface. They usually occur when water seeps into the pavement through unsealed or improperly sealed cracks, freezes, expands, and then thaws, causing the material to weaken and collapse.
• Rutting: Depressions or grooves formed along the wheel tracks are known as rutting. This condition indicates structural failure within the asphalt layers and requires immediate repair to prevent further damage.
• Fading: A faded, grayish appearance on your asphalt surface is a sign of oxidation and aging. While less critical than structural damages like cracks or potholes, fading can lead to brittleness and increased susceptibility to other forms of damage.
• Edge Cracks: These are cracks that form along the edge of the pavement, often caused by insufficient support at the pavement edge.

Understanding these common causes and signs of asphalt damage is crucial for maintaining the integrity and longevity of your asphalt surfaces. Regular inspections and timely repairs can significantly extend the life of your pavement, ensuring it remains functional and safe for users.

Ready to enhance your property’s appeal and safety with professional asphalt maintenance? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover the best repair solutions for your needs.