The key to maintaining functioning and durable asphalt paving is education. At Cassidy Paving, we highly suggest that pavement users learn about the challenges and common occurrences so they can be better prepared for addressing them when/if they come along. Here’s a list of the common issues we see and how certified contractors like Cassidy Paving can address them before they become a nightmare.
Potholes
Probably the most common asphalt pavement nuisance is the dreaded pothole. You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t felt the soul-rattling sound of hitting a pothole in a vehicle. We certainly understand how annoying that can be and want to offer help. The best way to avoid potholes altogether is preventative maintenance. Time is of the essence! At the first sign of potholes or cracks, contact Cassidy Paving to get it repaired. Pavement issues don’t get better if you ignore them, they will only cause more damage.
READ MORE: Potholes: What They Are and How to Avoid Them
Alligator Cracking
This common challenge of asphalt paving is synonymous with its name. It looks like the pattern of an alligator’s skin. Alligator cracking, or fatigue cracking, is “caused by load-related deterioration resulting from a weakened base course or subgrade, too little pavement thickness, overloading, or a combination of these factors” according to Asphalt Magazine. When this type of cracking occurs the only way to solve the issue is to remove the asphalt, its base, and then entirely repave the area. If you want to avoid this, make sure you’re doing preventative maintenance.
Rutting
You may notice some unevenness in the wheel path of your asphalt pavement. These depressions are caused by insufficient pavement thickness, lack of compaction, weak asphalt mixtures, or base settlement. Rutting is common and can be a sign of wear. However, rutting also occurs when something goes wrong in the application of the pavement. If you want to avoid rutting, the best thing you can do is hire a contractor who provides you with a warranty, comes highly recommended, and understands the complexities of proper paving techniques.
Raveling
This challenge can happen despite best-laid plans. Raveling is when traffic (usually) begins chipping pieces of the asphalt away from the base. Asphalt Magazine defines it as “the wearing away of the aggregate particles from the asphalt cement.” If you’re noticing patches of asphalt coming up off of the base of your asphalt, it’s time to call in a professional. Cassidy Paving can provide an overlay to help keep the pavement from further crumbling.
The Best Choice
Despite the common challenges of asphalt pavement, you cannot beat the durability and cost of using this material over any other for your parking lot or driveway. If it is time for you to consider paving, we would love to chat with you. Give us a call today at 866-978-9788 to get your free estimate. We service commercial, industrial, and residential customers across Massachusetts. We can do your pavement right the first time so that you don’t have to worry about untimely asphalt pavement failure.