Patching
As soon as freshly laid hot asphalt pavement mix begins to cool, the aging process begins. As asphalt pavement progresses through its performance lifecycle, its appearance diminishes over time. Fine hairline cracks spread and deepen within the asphalt.
When oxygen in the air and water combine with asphaltic binder of the pavement, a chemical change takes place. At first, this process is necessary for the pavement to become hard and firm. Later, if this process is not arrested, a complete deterioration of the asphaltic binder will take place and reduce the pavement to a layer of loose stone.
In order to maximize the life of your asphalt parking lot, it is important to develop a pavement management plan involving routine inspections and ongoing preventative maintenance. Patching is a common asphalt repair on areas where the asphalt is too degraded to maintain.
Methods of Patching
Asphalt Pothole Patching
Pothole patching is a common asphalt repair. Potholes occur when water seeps into pavement through unsealed or improperly sealed cracks. When the water freezes, it expands and enlarges the crack. When the ice under the pavement melts, a void is left. Surrounding pavement falls into the void and forms a pothole.
Procedure
This process consists of filling the affected areas with hot or cold asphalt mix, depending on the season and/or site location.
Asphalt Removal & Replacement
Over time, a flexible asphalt pavement becomes more rigid and is less able to tolerate vertical deflections. This causes tension in the pavement and results in alligator-type cracking. Such cracking can also occur from structural inadequacy, aging, and oxidation. Without ongoing maintenance, water may enter through cracks and holes may form, undermining the subgrade. In this case, the most effective form of repair is to remove and replace the deteriorated area.
Cost
The cost for asphalt removal & replacement depends upon the geographic location, the amount of grading and subgrade work required, and other site-specific factors.
Asphalt Skin Patching
At times, because of budget contraints, we find that some of our customers are looking for an inexpensive, quick fix. Although we don't recommend to "throw good money after bad," in times like these, a skin patch is a viable option that, although temporary, will fill the need until a more sound solution can be afforded.
Procedure
Apply a tackcoat and install a thin layer of asphalt to the area to be repaired. Pro: inexpensive, quick fix. Con: temporary at best. existing cracking will reflect up through the new asphalt within a short amount of time based upon the thickness of the patch.