Top 5 Most Common Types of Asphalt Repair
Asphalt is one of the most popular types of paving materials used in the construction of driveways, parking areas, and roads because of its ability to last long and cost less. However, there are some disadvantages of asphalt, which can include the following:
–Pavements made of asphalt wear out over time through several factors like weather, heavy traffic, and poor drainage systems, among others.
–If asphalt develops some form of defect such as cracking, crumbling, sinking, or any other form of deterioration, it requires repair in order for it at its best.
Here are the top 5 most common types of asphalt repair:
1. Crack Sealing
Crack sealing is one of the most accessible forms of repair work for asphalt pavements and also the least expensive. Cracks that occur are a natural occurrence with pavements, and they are often noticed as the surfaces age when expansion and contraction take place. If these cracks are left bare, with no filling material to block out the entry of water, water will seep into the structure and further weaken it. Crack sealing is the process of cleaning cracks right to the bottom and filling these openings with an elastomeric, tar-like material.
– Prevents Water Intrusion: Sealing gaps prevents and stops water seepage into the pavement base and subgrade. This is one of the most common causes of water intrusion that leads to the deterioration of pavement.
– Halts Crack Growth: Crack sealing reduces contraction and expansion forces, preventing full-depth failures of the pavement.
– Cost-Effective: Crack sealing can extend the life of the pavement by two to five years. It is a significant repair for a less expensive price tag.
2. Patching
This is a process of repairing that requires a portion of the road surface, which is deteriorated, to be excavated, and then new asphalt is laid down. This is a standard method of dealing with potholes, expansive cracks, settlement, and severe road surface wear. The area that has been affected is cut to a square shape as a standard measure, and the base of the pavement is worked on as needed before new asphalt is laid down and then compacted.
– Localized Repair: Instead of resealing the complete wall or surface, only disturbed parts are touched up.
– Quick Solution: Rehabilitation can offer a short-term fix for pavements whose capabilities are hindered.
– Economical: Compared to the whole surface, patches are small in size, and thus, they are inexpensive to repair when the damage is minimal.
3. Overlay
In asphalt overlays, a new layer is distributed over the entire surface of the earlier layer. It is one of the most exhaustive asphalt repair techniques that simultaneously produces a new pavement surface. First, the crack diagnosis and defect treatment are done through patching and sealing. Then, a 1-to-3-inch fill is applied on top of the layer.
– Resurfaces Entire Area: It provides an even quality surface appearance throughout the pavement.
– Long-Term Solution: The overlays work appropriately and can help add 8 to 20 years of life to pavement.
– Improves Surface Quality: An overlay is also used to fix defects and deterioration and can enhance surface friction, drainage, and more.
4. Full-Depth Reclamation
Full-depth reclamation is done where there is poor asphalt condition extending to the lower base courses. It entails breaking the whole asphalt layer with a portion of the subbase layer to produce small aggregate particles. A binder such as cement or emulsion is usually put into the recycled base to ensure it is firm before placing a new asphalt layer on top of it.
– Salvage Materials: Pulverization helps recycle materials on the existing pavement, reducing the cost and the waste.
– Long-Lasting Repair: Compacting the base well and adding more layers of fill material will offer longer-term stability to support the fresh asphalt.
– Environmentally-Friendly: Reusing the previous pavement is one of the methods of sustainable construction. Asphalt materials are not dumped into any landfills; this satisfies part of our policy toward environmental protection.
5. Full Reconstruction
Resurfacing, on the other hand, involves the process of overlay, where a new layer overlays the existing asphalt without stripping off the previous one. It is one of the most labor intensive techniques in asphalt repair and is only applied once the surface has heavily deteriorated. After the complete removal of the existing concrete pavement, the soil base is prepared, and the new base course and asphalt are put in place.
– Ultimate Repair: This technique involves using new and correctly designed pavements to replace the damaged ones.
– Longest Lifespan: Unfortunately, once the pavement is compromised, it is crucial to reconstruct it properly to reach a lifespan of over 30 years with proper maintenance.
– Addresses Root Causes: The proven advantage of removing all materials is that it helps to detect and address the underlying issues.
Asphalt repair is a complex process, and choosing the proper method of repairing damage on an asphalt surface is not easy at all.
The extent of asphalt repair needed is also based on the distress type, level of distress, location, and cause. Other considerations include the cost and time the repair project might take to complete. Assessing core samples is the most effective way to select the respective repair strategies. Specifically, minor repairs such as sealing cracks tend to be on par with the overall worth of maintenance. Significant repairs are often required if pavement does not allow proper performance of its functions.