Summer is the best time for asphalt paving. Laying asphalt in warmer weather increases the speed of the overall process, and it is easier to work in summer as compared to a dark, cold rainy day.
Asphalt
Many asphalt surfaces soften in summer, leading to ruts or permanent deformation. Asphalt also loses its plasticity and can therefore harden and crack or crumble with age. Moisture from rain and other sources can invade and damage asphalt. At low temperatures, asphalt becomes brittle and cracks under the stress of heavy traffic loads. This is known as thermal and fatigue cracking.
Mill and Overlay
Milling can remove distresses from the surface, providing a better driving experience and/or longer roadway life. Some of the issues that milling can remove include:
- Raveling: aggregate becoming separated from the binder and loose on the road
- Bleeding: the binder (asphalt) coming up to the surface of the road
- Rutting: formation of low spots in pavement along the direction of travel usually in the wheel path
- Shoving: a washboard like effect transverse to the direction of travel
- Ride quality: uneven road surface such as swells, bumps, sags, or depressions
- Damage: resulting from accidents and/or fires
Asphalt overlay is a paving method of applying a new layer of asphalt to a deteriorating surface.
Potholes and Patches
Moisture intrusion is the leading cause of pavement deterioration. When left alone and when cracks are not repaired, potholes become evident and a safety problem. Potholes represent an annoyance to vehicle traffic and a serious tripping hazard to pedestrians. To avoid potential liability, potholes should be filled immediately upon discovery with either cold patch materials or the best option- hot mix material.
Crack Fill
A scheduled program of pavement maintenance that includes crack filling will double the life cycle of your asphalt pavement. Crack filling is a fraction of the cost of repairing or replacing asphalt pavement. The key to effective crack filling is to do repairs and fill the cracks while they are small, as crack filling inhibits crack growth and keeps new cracks from forming. Left unfilled, cracks will allow rain and moisture to flow through the pavement and erode base materials ultimately resulting in potholes and pavement failure. Filling cracks with crack filler helps prevent rain and moisture from flowing through the pavement and causing erosion or failure. By stopping the entrance of water, the rate of deterioration of the pavement is significantly slowed.
Interested in asphalt, mill and overlay, pothole patches or crack fills? Click here to contact Freedom Restoration to get your jobs professionally done… quicker!