Faq

Asphalt pavement is a highly durable compound of stone, sand, additives and liquid asphalt. This mix is placed and compacted by highly specialized paving equipment to product a smooth pavement surface. The pavement is composed of roughly 90-95% aggregate and sand, and 5-10% of liquid asphalt (aka bitumin). The liquid asphalt acts as the binding material in the mix and possesses a number of characteristics that lend themselves well to creating a great pavement. For one, the flexible nature of the liquid asphalt helps it to contract and expand with the seasons. As long as flexibility is retained, asphalt cracking is kept at bay. Asphalt is also excellent at repelling water and preventing moisture from seeping down into the base layers of the pavement. Finally, asphalt pavement is one of the most recycled materials in the United States, more than paper or plastic!

Simply put, if asphalt pavements are installed properly along with their underlying base structure, the main cause of asphalt failure is water. Initially, asphalt pavements are very resistant to water and do a great job of keeping it out of its structure. This is mainly due to the flexible and water-repellant nature of the liquid asphalt in the mix. As asphalt ages however, it slowly begins to loose its flexibility due to exposure to the sunlights UV rays. In other words, the liquid asphalt begins to harden. Once this happens the pavement no longer has the ability to expand and contract with the temperature fluctuations of the seasons. Without this flexibility the pavement cracks and allows water into the structure. As water penetrates and goes beneath the pavement it causes a wide range of defects like cracking, potholes, depressions, upheavals and more.

The best way to maintain any asphalt pavement structure is to put a regular maintenance program in place. Unfortunately, many property owners think pavement doesn’t require maintenance and end up spending many thousands of dollars in repairs. In fact, when a pavement maintenance routine is put in place within the first year of its installation, you can more than double its service life!

A effective pavement maintenance plan begins with asphalt sealcoating within the first year and every 2 to 3 years thereafter. Once the pavement begins to age you may begin to see small cracks in the pavement. It is critical that these cracks be filled as soon as possible to prevent water from penetrating below the surface. These cracks will usually begin to show themselves in late winter or early spring as the pavement begins to contract and expand. As the pavement draws near to the end of its service life you will see more advanced defects beginning to form such as alligator cracking, potholes, depressions, upheavals, etc. Repair these as soon as possible to prevent a total failure in the asphalt and further extend its life-cycle.