The One Stop Asphalt Solution
Updated: August 29, 2021
Asphalt Paving in Phoenix
Asphalt is an excellent paving material, but like any other construction project, maintenance is critical for exceptional performance. Even the best asphalt needs repairs on an ongoing basis. Remember that your asphalt takes a beating, even when there are no cars or trucks on the surface. High temperatures, poor drainage, and utility cuts can all cause damage that you need to address. Cracks, and eventually potholes, develop when the surface of your paving weakens over time. Seepage from water and the cumulative weight of the vehicles using the surface add up to hairline cracks which grow. Those small, hairline cracks widen and deepen, ultimately destroying the integrity of the surface and leading to costly repairs. When caught early, maintaining your asphalt can be affordable and part of general maintenance in Phoenix.
Filling in the Cracks
Cracks come in a range of shapes and sizes, all from different causes and with unique fixes. Both slippage and fatigue cracking is usually the result of the amount of weight and traffic on your paved surface. For longitudinal, transverse or edge cracking, shrinkage could be the culprit. In some instances, poor paving results in an insufficient bond between pavement layers, which can show up on the surface over time. When the cracking is merely due to use, you need to jump on the repair. A quick fix helps keep water out of the underlayer and seals out dirt and debris that can cause more damage to your Phoenix asphalt cracks.
When to Tackle Crack Filling
Seasonality is essential when laying asphalt. In the summer, cracks are at their smallest, while in winter they expand to their most significant width. Both of these times are not ideal. You want to tackle your repair job during the spring or fall when the cracks are in the middle of their size range. This prevents overfilling in winter and underfilling in summer.
Surface Sealing for Hairline Cracks
When the cracks on your asphalt surface are tiny and not very deep, you don’t need to do traditional patches. Instead, a surface overlay is a great way to seal up any cracks and keep your pavement at optimal performance. Surface sealing must be fluid enough to fill in those hairline cracks. That is what makes a surface overlay such a practical choice when dealing with regular wear and tear to your asphalt.
Larger Cracks and Paving Problems
Some cracks not only grow larger, they indicate a problem with your paving. When the underlayment doesn’t have good drainage or the joins need repair, filling in cracks may not be the best solution. When you have a paved surface that regularly develops cracks, it might be time to look at Phoenix pavement removal and replacement. After all, you don’t want to spend more than needed to maintain your pavement.
When is Removal and Replacement a Good Idea?
When your pavement gets a lot of heavy use or handles industrial vehicles, it needs to be in top condition. Potholes and cracks can leave you open to liability claims if a driver damages their vehicle in your lot. Cracks will eventually turn into potholes as moisture, and environmental conditions conspire to weaken the surface. Consistent cracking, beyond hairline cracks from regular use, may indicate an issue with the paving material or site preparation. If your pavement has a substantial edge, longitudinal, reflection, or slippage cracking, you may need to replace the entire surface to fix the underlying issue. Each of these cracks can crop up when there is a problem below the surface.
The Ultimate Solution to Paving Problems
Weather changes and use will erode the condition of your pavement, but when it is installed properly, you only need general maintenance. When the original paving material is weak, drainage is insufficient, or the ground is not properly compacted, you can see the cost in a creeping crack fill expense line. By taking up the existing compound, assessing the ground and making any needed changes, you can get a solid surface that is ready for the hard use of a commercial parking lot.
In some cases, the existing asphalt can be reused as part of the new surface. As it is lifted and broken up, the pieces can be ground and melted down into the new paving material. By reusing the asphalt, you can reduce the total cost of the removal and replacement in Phoenix.
At One Stop Asphalt, we can quickly assess your paving needs and recommend the maintenance option that is best for your parking lot. When an overlay is enough, we can pour a smooth surface. When the substrate needs work, we can handle the hurdles of full removal and replacement.
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