Repairing Damage To Your Pavement

There are many ways that water can damage pavement, but this is a threat that property owners will often neglect. This can put them at a disadvantage when the pavement starts to suffer significant problems.

Cracks In The Surface

Cracks on the surface of the pavement are one of the more common types of damage that you can expect to encounter with your pavement. Water is a leading cause of the formation of these cracks. This is due to the ability of the water to seep into the surface of the pavement where it can cause added stress on the pavement. Eventually, the pavement may become brittle enough to allow deep cracks to form on the surface. Over time, these cracks will worsen in severity, which can allow more water to seep into the interior of the pavement. Repairing these cracks is essential for preventing this damage from spreading.

Deep Potholes

Potholes are an especially problematic issue for your pavement. These large holes can be very damaging to vehicles when they drive over them. Potholes will often be the result of substantial erosion occurring under the pavement. Due to this erosion, the pavement may no longer be effectively supported. Similar to cracks, potholes can rapidly worsen if they are not repaired as the opening can allow further erosion to occur, which can lead to more of the pavement collapsing. Filling these holes as quickly as possible is important for reducing the chances of this issue spreading or damage occurring to your vehicle's tires.

Erosion Along The Sides Of The Pavement

Erosion along the sides of the pavement is another common issue to experience. When this erosion starts to form, it can cause the edges of the pavement to begin to collapse. This problem is particularly common for paved surfaces that do not have a gutter or drain system along the sides. If your pavement is starting to experience these issues, installing a gutter or drainage system can be an affordable way of mitigating this problem before it is able to contribute to structural damage to the pavement. For those that want a discrete drainage option, French drains can be an option that will allow the water to be moved without requiring extremely noticeable gutters or drains to be installed. However, those wanting a more affordable solution may find that digging a small trench and lining it with gravel or paving stones can effectively reduce erosion.

For more information, contact a residential paving contractor.