Does Your Driveway Need Asphalt Paving Services To Fix Water Damage?

Water is the number one enemy of asphalt paving. It seeps into tiny cracks and pores in the surface, freezes in cold weather, and expands, splitting the pavement open. Then it evaporates, leaving the pavement weakened and ready to crumble. That's why it's so important to have a regular maintenance program for your asphalt surfaces. Here are signs water damage has occurred and you need asphalt paving services to repair it:

1. Alligator Cracking

Alligator cracking is one of the most common and easily recognizable signs of water damage in asphalt paving. Also known as pavement fatigue or crocodile cracking, this type of damage is characterized by a network of interconnected cracks resembling an alligator's skin. 

Alligator cracking typically occurs when there is inadequate drainage beneath the asphalt pavement. When water seeps into the ground, it softens the soil and weakens the pavement's foundation. This can cause the pavement to crack and buckle under the weight of traffic. This cracking often appears in areas that experience heavy traffic, such as driveways and parking lots. 

2. Raveling

Raveling is surface damage that occurs when the asphalt binding agents are weakened by water. This can cause the pavement to break apart and the gravel and other materials to become loose. Raveling usually occurs in areas that have poor drainage or are subject to frequent flooding.

3. Potholes

Potholes occur when water seeps into cracks in the pavement and then freezes. The expansion of the ice causes the pavement to crack and break apart, creating a hole. Potholes are accelerated by traffic, particularly heavy vehicles. 

The weight of the trucks can cause the pavement to crack and break apart. Water seeps into the cracks, freezes, and expands, widening the cracks and causing further damage. You need asphalt paving services to fix potholes to prevent extensive damage. 

4. Edge Cracking

Edge cracking is a type of water damage that typically occurs at the edges of asphalt pavements. The most common edge cracking is longitudinal cracking, which runs parallel to the pavement edge. 

Longitudinal cracks are caused by the expansion of water that has seeped into the ground beneath the pavement. Another type of edge cracking is transverse cracking, which runs perpendicular to the pavement edge. 

5. Depressions

Depressions, also known as puddling, are another common sign of water damage in asphalt paving. Depressions occur when water seeps into the ground beneath the pavement and then evaporates. This can cause the pavement to sink or collapse. Depressions are most likely to occur in areas that have poor drainage or are subject to frequent flooding.

Water damage can cause serious problems if it's not fixed, so don't wait to fix the problem. You need professional repair to prevent a complete overhaul of the pavement.

Contact a company like Gateway Paving to learn more.