Asphalt paved surfaces are prone to damages due to wear and tear that requires periodic repairing to maintain their longevity.
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The damages are more in heavy traffic areas, and more rain as rainwater is the greatest enemy of asphalt paving. Rainwater seeping inside the asphalt surface causes more damage. According to the experts of Asphalt Paving Southern MD, regular maintenance of the asphalt paving can take care of the minor damages and prevent it from getting worse, thereby ensuring its long life and saving the cost of relaying the surface.
The type and extent of damages to the asphalt paving determine the kind of repairing technique that should work well. Early detection of cracks, the disintegration of asphalt or raveling, dips, etc., by periodically checking the asphalt stretch should help to take timely action.
In this article, we will discuss some standard methods of asphalt repairing.
Patching
Surface patching of the asphalt surface, also known as asphalt patching, is a simple repairing technique that temporarily fixes minor problems. If you need to quickly patch up a crack or hole to prevent the asphalt surface from further damage, then patching is a temporary and affordable solution. The surface regains its original looks and can withstand loads without any problems. Only when the damage is about an inch or two deep will that patching work well but lasts for about two years. Later, it is pointless to redo the patching, and instead, it is better to look for some long-term solution.
Asphalt removal and replacement
For a long-term solution to repair damages to the asphalt paving, the experts recommend the asphalt removal and replacement technique of repairing. Asphalt surfaces that undergo reflective cracking are suitable for repairing by the asphalt removal and replacement technique. Reflective cracking happens due to repeated stress on a particular place of the asphalt paving, primarily due to the movement of heavy vehicles. The method of repairing involves removing the asphalt layers to ensure complete extraction of the damaged portion. The removed asphalt layers are reusable during repairing, which saves cost.
Asphalt milling and resurfacing
When the damage to the asphalt pavement is extensive and widespread, it requires milling and resurfacing as done for parking lots or similar areas. After removing the asphalt entirely, the contractor will convert it into fine gravel-like pieces by grinding and using it to create a new aggregate that is much stronger. The unusable asphalt recovered from the area is sent to a processing plant for recycling and makes it suitable for use as some other construction materials. The method helps to lower carbon footprints. The recovered asphalt that produces the new aggregate is useful for repaving or resurfacing the total area.
Asphalt crack filling
Do not neglect small and fine cracks visible on the asphalt surface as it indicates some deeper problems. The crack on the surface might result from more extensive damages deep inside the asphalt surface that results from continuous asphalt distress due to heavy traffic and constant vehicular traffic.
When the damage is extensive, it requires the complete replacement of the entire pavement system. The process of repairing, known as full-depth repair, is as good as laying new asphalt paving.