Asphalt Repairs

Asphalt is the most widely used paving material by virtue of its’ excellent water-proofing and aggregate binding properties. For the last two centuries, asphalt has kept water from penetrating the base and aggregates in the sub-base layers. Asphalt does have some shortcomings, however. It has poor resistance to weathering, and is readily attacked by gasoline, oil, de-icing salts and other chemicals. The elements of weather degrade the asphaltic oils from the surface. Proper maintenance must be scheduled to keep asphalt at its best.

Pothole Filling

Potholes form in the asphalt for many reasons, some of them being fatigue, cracks, water damage, and freeze/thaw cycles. We primarily use an asphalt emulsion cold mix fortified with polymers to fill, or patch potholes. For larger size potholes, full depth patching may be required to effectively correct the problem.

Full Depth Patching

This method is used for potholes, alligatored or severely cracked areas, or asphalt damage in a small area. This requires grinding or cutting the asphalt surrounding the damage, repairing the sub-base material, and patching the surface with hot mix asphalt.

Resurfacing

Resurfacing is used when the asphalt base is still good, and only the top layer of asphalt needs repair. This is adding a layer of asphalt over the surface, and is most commonly used over large areas in parking lots and roadways.

Removal and Replacement

This method is used when the asphalt has completely deteriorated, and the base needs to be repaired. An entire driveway or area is removed, the base is repaired, sometimes re-graded for better drainage, and the asphalt is installed in two lifts. First an asphalt binder course, which is larger stones (the strength layer) is installed, and then an asphalt surface course, smaller stones(the wear layer). Removal and replacement is often the best way to repair most common asphalt problems.