Pavement Wear & Tear
Pavement Wear & Tear
There is an old saying that if you take care of the small things, you may never need to deal with the “big things.” There is a great deal of truth in this statement whether you are trying to keep a home looking its best, ensuring that your car is mechanically sound or combatting Pavement Wear & Tear on your asphalt parking lot. With few exceptions, most of the damages to asphalt pavement can be prevented through proactive maintenance and minor asphalt repairs.
Pavement Wear & Tear – Do Not Leave Cracks Unrepaired
One of the leading causes of premature wear is water that has penetrated through cracks in the pavement. Water penetration leads to an eroded foundation, and an eroded foundation leads to larger and more numerous cracks, potholes and alligator cracking. Repairing an eroded foundation will require the removal of the pavement, rebuilding the foundation and installing new asphalt. This can be a costly repair. On the other hand, crack repairs are very economical.
Remember to Have Sealcoating Reapplied
Sealcoating is sometimes referred to as sunscreen for asphalt pavement. Just like UV rays can prematurely age the skin and cause potential health issues, UV rays cause problems for asphalt pavement. They will fade its color, but they will also dry your pavement, which causes cracking and premature deterioration.
Watch Your Weight
When your pavement was built, it was engineered to tolerate specific weights. For example, an asphalt runway at a major airport must be engineered to support heavier weights than a quiet cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood. Know the categories of vehicles that your pavement was designed to support and deny vehicles that weigh significantly more.
Hire an Experienced Snow Removal Service
Experienced snowplow operators know how to adjust the blades to prevent damaging your asphalt pavement. Novices may set the blade too low. With luck, the worst they will do is remove your sealcoating, but more often, they will leave gouges in the pavement or remove chunks of pavement.
Clean Leaked Automotive Fluids Regularly
Modern vehicles use a variety of fluids, including oil, brake fluid, gasoline, transmission fluid and power steering fluid. When leaked on your pavement, they can leave unsightly stains, but the major problem with automotive fluids is that they will react with asphalt pavement, leaving it soft and easily damaged. Although sealcoating gives you more time to remove automotive fluids before they damage your pavement, it cannot stop their progress indefinitely. Removing leaked fluids once or twice a year can help you protect your pavement.
Choose a Reputable Asphalt Professional
Regardless of the type of work you need performed, you should choose an experienced, reputable professional. Asphalt companies are easy to find, but Dirtworks, a locally owned company, has been paving Cape Cod for more than two decades. We have built an outstanding reputation by offering exceptional work, superior customer service and competitive rates. From driveways to highways, we build, maintain and repair asphalt pavements throughout the area. Dirtworks services include asphalt paving, sealcoating, asphalt repair, parking lot striping and snow removal as well as excavation and site work. If you want more information about Pavement Wear & Tear, contact us for a free quote by submitting the online form or calling (508) 240-5541
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