Laying Down the Pavement

Residential Asphalt Paving Repair Issues You Should Know

28 July 2021 by Clifton Sullivan

Homeowners have always preferred asphalt for residential paving projects. The resilience, durability, and versatility that it offers can simplify the repair process when it's time to revive a depreciating walkway. Mother nature and human activity can trigger minor cracks and fissures that require quick fixing. Your residential asphalt paving contractor can advise you on the best time to carry out renovations.

Repairing your asphalt driveway on time eliminates the need to carry out costly replacement and driveway overhauls. To be safe, always work with professional paving contractors since they know the best antidotes for the numerous types of driveway defects in your home. Before you budget for these repairs, you should know the residential asphalt paving issues that need attention. Here are some issues.

Potholes

Potholes rank as some of the most nagging asphalt driveway issues that plague a homeowner. They show up when other minor issues like cracks, fissures, and weaker patches intensify. These dents allow pooling and other liquids to infiltrate the base. As such, your driveway surface contracts and freezes based on weather conditions.

Continuous neglect leads to the deepening of the pothole, and water can sit and trigger further damage. If your driveway handles heavy traffic, it makes the potholes worse. You should liaise with your paving contractor to fast-track pothole repairs since they damage your car and your curb appeal as well. You stand to gain if the contractor uses cold mix asphalt to repair these dents in hot or cold weather.

Fatigue Cracking

Fatigue cracking is the same as alligator cracks. They present localized cracks in one area and form the uncanny appearance of alligator skin. These fissures indicate further weakness in the design or asphalt installation process. Overloading and defective drainage can trigger the formation of these cracks, especially if temperature fluctuations are at their peak. Fatigue cracking tells you that your residential asphalt paving quality is flawed to the core. A paving contractor can assess the depth of the damage and recommend fully-fledged patching, compacting, and extensive restoration of surface integrity.

Raveling

If you're walking along your asphalt driveway and notice loose grit and gravel, you're probably walking on a surface that has experienced raveling. This problem is characterized by chipping and disintegration of the surface. When the pavement density wears out, the loose gravel can grind against the asphalt, weakening it and allowing water to seep in. 

Raveling can create roughened surfaces that cause falls and pooling. You must repair raveling by removing the loose chippings before applying a fresh patch. A skilled contractor will advise on the best restoration method depending on the extent of the damage.

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