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Repairing Potholes
Repair Potholes Quickly
Unattended potholes continue to deteriorate and will only get worse over time.
Cracks in the asphalt pavement that allow water infiltration will someday lead to a pothole. Potholes are a result of the asphalt failing, but are largely a result of the base underneath failing prior to the asphalt pavement. The underneath base rock becoming saturated will begin to deteriorate and weaken, thus not being able to support the asphalt pavement surface. This is when the cracks in the asphalt really begin to multiply.
Pothole repairs need to be addressed early. When the asphalt surface beings to severely crack, water can easily penetrate into the underlying base rock and potholes will soon follow. Potholes can be avoided if the severely cracked asphalt is repaired before the asphalt pavement cracks so bad that it begins to break apart and is displaced due to the lack of underlying base support.
Potholes can ruin a good day but the repair can be very simple if caught in enough time. The existing cracked asphalt must be removed from around the damaged area to within 1’ beyond the cracked surface. This will ensure that the deteriorated underlying base is not contaminated due to water infiltration and other chemicals. The base stone will need to be removed is contaminated. The existing stone can be salvaged in most cases but must be properly compacted prior to replacement of the hot mix asphalt. Liquid tack must be placed on the vertical sides of the asphalt area (most cases the asphalt will be saw cut). This will bond the new asphalt with the existing asphalt. The new hot mix asphalt must be properly compacted and you are in business.
Remember to catch potholes early and sometimes even before the asphalt becomes a pothole. A pothole only gets bigger over time increasing the cost of the repair. Early repairs are quicker and less costly.
WHEN AND HOW TO FIX YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO FIX YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY, BUT FIRST YOU MUST KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR DRIVEWAY. PROPERLY MAINTAINING YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY IS CRITICAL TO THE DURABILITY AND LIFE OF YOUR ASPHALT PAVEMENT SURFACE. YOU CAN DO THIS BY CRACK FILLING AND SEAL COATING EVERY 2 TO 4 YEARS (DEPENDING WHERE YOU LIVE, THE TEMPERATURES AND OXIDATION OF THE SUN WILL CONTROL THE LIFE OF THE SEAL COAT). CRACK FILLING THE LARGER CRACKS (1/4” AND LARGER) IS IMPORTANT TO SEAL OFF THE SURFACE WATER AND PREVENTING IT FROM PENETRATING THROUGH THE SURFACE AND INTO THE UNDERLYING BASE.
IF THE SURFACE OF THE ASPHALT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF DISTRESS OR DETERIORATION, IT IS TIME TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO PREVENT FUTURE COSTLY REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT. MAINTAINING YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY BY MEANS OF SEAL COAT OR INSTALLING A MINOR ASPHALT OVERLAY SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES THE LIFE OF THE PAVEMENT SURFACE. THIS MUST BE DONE BEFORE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE SUCH AS MAJOR CRACKING HAS OCCURRED – IF YOUR ASPHALT DRIVEWAY ALREADY HAS SIGNIFICANT CRACKS – YOU SHOULD CALL A QUALIFIED ASPHALT DRIVEWAY REPAIR COMPANY TO FIX YOUR DRIVEWAY.
SIMPLE RAVELLING OF THE EXISTING ASPHALT PAVEMENT SURFACE CAN BE COVERED WITH A SEAL COAT AND THE PAVEMENT RESTORED KEEPING THE CHEMICALS WITHIN THE ASPHALT. KEEPING THE CHEMICALS WITHIN THE ASPHALT WILL EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE PAVEMENT SURFACE AND CAN BE DONE BY EITHER SEAL COATING OR APPLYING A SMALL ASPHALT OVERLAY OVER THE EXISTING ASPHALT. THE EXISTING ASPHALT SURFACE MUST BE STRUCTURALLY STABLE ENOUGH WITH NO AREAS OF DISTRESS TO HANDLE THE ASPHALT OVERLAY. SIMPLY INSTALLING AN ASPHALT OVERLAY OVER AN AREA THAT HAS MAJOR CRACKING WILL LOOK GOOD FOR A WHILE, BUT COVERING UP THE PROBLEM WILL REFLECT THROUGH THE SURFACE OF THE NEW ASPHALT AT A RAPID RATE. DAMAGED AREAS MUST BE REMOVED AND REPAIRED PRIOR TO ANY ASPHALT OVERLAY.
IF THE EXISTING ASPHALT SURFACE IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND DAMAGED ENOUGH THAT THE ASPHALT SECTIONS ARE LOOSE OR POTHOLES ARE FORMING, THESE MUST BE REPAIRED QUICKLY BEFORE THEY SPREAD EVEN FURTHER. ALL ASPHALT PAVEMENT EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS THUS CREATING CRACKING OVER TIME. IF THESE CRACKS ARE NOT FILLED WITH CRACK FILL OR SEAL COAT IN A TIMELY MANNER, THE PROBLEMS START TO BEGIN WITH THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT STRUCTURE. WATER INTRUDES THE PAVEMENT AND INTO THE BASE ROCK MAKING IT EASIER FOR THE ASPHALT TO SEVERELY CRACK AND EVENTUALLY FORM POTHOLES.
Post Provided by: Asphalt Driveway Repair Atlanta GA - Ace Paving & Maintenance