Asphalt paving is commonly used for driveways, roads, and parking lots.
It’s one of the more cost-efficient choices, but it does require regular maintenance. Even when you take preventive measures, you may notice several issues with your driveway, from cracking to potholes.
We take a look at four common driveway issues that could lead to calling a professional paving company for repairs.
1.Alligator Cracks
Alligator cracks earned this funny nickname due to their resemblance to the scales on an alligator’s back. They appear due to structural failures in the asphalt, combined with wear from heavy traffic.
2.Raveling
Raveling occurs due to a breakdown of the asphalt. Over time, pavement can become thinner, allowing loose gravel to abrade the surrounding asphalt. This causes small pieces to become dislodged, leading to an uneven surface, loose debris, and standing water.
The fix: First, you need to remove the loose debris and gravel. If you’re dealing with a small area, use an asphalt patch to fix the problem.
If the problem is more widespread, you may be dealing with asphalt failure. If that’s the case, you’ll need to consider removing the damaged pavement and applying new asphalt, which generally requires a professional asphalt driveway service.
3.Depressions and Potholes
Depressions in driveways happen because of poor compaction that occurs during paving. If left too long, they can weaken the integrity of the asphalt surface.
The fix: You can temporarily fix minor depressions with an asphalt patch. However, the affected area will eventually need to be removed and replaced.
Potholes are more pronounced depressions. They most often occur because of weather changes, standing water, and heavy traffic. If not fixed, potholes will become worse.
4.Asphalt Upheaval
If the soil underneath the asphalt expands due to moisture or freezing, it can cause asphalt upheaval. Frost heave is one of the most common types of upheaval.
The fix: The best solution is to remove the damaged area and apply a full-depth asphalt patch.
Solving Common Asphalt Issues With Driveway Repairs
Asphalt is durable and results in a beautiful-looking driveway.
However, you may experience one or more of these four common issues. You can make quick, temporary fixes or call in the experts in driveway services for professional asphalt maintenance and repairs.
Contact Curtis Paving today to request a quote for driveway repairs in North & West Vancouver, Vancouver and Burnaby.
