How Often Do You Need Asphalt Paving Services?

Asphalt provides smooth roads for driveways and parking lots but requires occasional maintenance and repair services. Determining how often you need asphalt paving services depends on several factors.

Climate and Weather Conditions

The climatic and weather conditions of your particular region plays a significant role in determining the rate of deterioration of the asphalt. The frequency of asphalt maintenance is dependent on the typical climate of the area; such climatic conditions that include high and low temperatures, high precipitation, and freeze and thaw cycles are likely to affect the asphalt, hence, requiring more frequent care.

Frequency Of Usage and Traffic

In addition, the frequency of pavement services depends on the usage and traffic intensity of the asphalt surfaces. Frequent and commercial parking lots or driveways that may have a lot of daily traffic require more services than residential driveways that may be used occasionally.

Asphalt repairs are crucial in maintaining the durability and appearance of paved roads; thus, it is essential to know when your road needs to be repaired.

Cracks

One of the first signs that your asphalt surface will need repairs is when cracks are noticeable on the surface. If not remedied, these tiny cracks widen, and upon water penetration, they lead to much more extensive damage. Avoid this by filling minor cracks as soon as they occur. Possible repairs, maintenance, and prevention of further issues include the following:

Potholes

This is when water enters the cracks in the asphalt and weakens the sub-base, contributing to potholes forming by allowing chunks of pavement to sink. If potholes are filled right after they appear, they cannot expand wider.

Raveling

As time passes, the upper layer of the asphalt tends to become rigid and starts to develop cracks, which leads to the formation of “pop-outs.” This raveling results in an irregular and rough surface with an eroded region. Resurfacing helps reduce additional raveling damage since the new asphalt layer acts as a shield to the subgrade. 

Oxidation

Asphalt pavements weather and change colors over the years due to sun, wind, and rain effects, turning light gray and chalk-like. Sealcoating serves to prevent oxidation and thus protect the surface from deterioration.

When is it Necessary for Residential or Commercial Space to Undergo Repairs?

Residential Driveways

For lightly used residential driveways, experts often recommend:

– Crack filling should be done at least every 2 to 3 years.

– Sealcoating should be done every 3 to 5 years as the maintenance activity of the road network.

– Resurfacing and rehousing, should be done after 12 to 20 years.

Small services to the residential driveway can enable it to last more than 20 years. Driveways that are used frequently will require more attention than those that are rarely used.

Commercial Parking Lots

Commercial parking lots with heavy daily traffic typically require:

– Sealcoating during the interval of 1 to 3 years

– Repaving or overlaying the entire parking lot every 8-15 years depending on the conditions of the old pavement

Places likely to attract a lot of traffic, such as drive throughs, may require repaints more often. While working on the lots, it is paramount to collaborate with the right paving contractor to ensure that the lots are safe and functional.

Comparing Between Asphalt Overlay and Complete Repave

Asphalt Overlay

Asphalt overlay involves placing a new layer of asphalt on top of the old layer. This is the main difference between asphalt overlay and asphalt resurfacing. This is one of the most cost-effective strategies since it mainly focuses on the quality asphalt that has a problem with the surface only. One exciting aspect of overlays is that the process can be repeated several times before the actual repaving is needed. 

Resurfacing, on the other hand, involves the placement of a thin layer of asphalt over the old one. At the same time, total rehabilitation consists of the removal of existing asphalt, disposing of it, and then paving a new layer of asphalt. An asphalt base usually requires full overlay once it has worn out or expanded extensively in the property owner’s yards. Sealcoating is less expensive in terms of initial cost, but it must be repeated more often, thus being more costly in the long run.

Complete Repave

Inspectable areas on asphalt surfaces include cracking, raveling, potholes, and oxidation, which should be monitored frequently. Mitigate such problems by contacting a professional paving company to facilitate these fix-and-seal processes. Keeping asphalt pavement in good shape involves periodic maintenance, which helps in protecting your investment, counteracting any risks, and saving big bucks from being spent on replacement.