One of the biggest threats to well-functioning asphalt pavement can be water. It may not seem like water can cause damage to something so sturdy, but the harm it can do could surprise you. Excess water has the ability to erode and break down your asphalt, making it collapse or even be unsafe to drive on. Cassidy Paving suggests before signing the contracts with any asphalt contractor that you ask questions about their plans to mitigate water damage. If they don’t include one of the following for your asphalt, you may be looking for repairs sooner than later.
Sealcoating
The most reliable form of water prevention for your asphalt is a sealcoat. This is also the most commonly used method for treating asphalt. There’s a lot that coating your asphalt can do to prevent distress from temperature and load-bearing from happening prematurely. The thing about this protective layer, though, is that it is most effective when applied to fresh asphalt pavement. If your driveway or parking lot is already experiencing cracking, a sealcoating won’t fix any structural issues, but just will maintain its current condition. Ask your contractor about their plans to sealcoat prior to starting any construction. Cassidy Paving guarantees that this step won’t be overlooked once we get that new blacktop down.
Drainage Planning
Going into a paving project without the proper draining plan can deem your pavement hazardous. The Virginia Asphalt Association says that pavement designers should account for the amount of free water that will enter the pavement structure, surface free water/runoff, and lastly, establish a plan for subgrade moisture This means that the pavement itself, as well as the subgrade, should be built in a way that can divert the water away prior to damage being done. Your asphalt contractor should have a plan for both surface and subsurface drainage over time. Asphalt can be designed in a way that allows water to flow at a natural pace throughout the layers without damaging the overall structure. The expert team at Cassidy Paving understands this design concept and works to implement it with each of our new pavement services.
READ MORE: Parking Lot Drain Repair (this links to content that claims a five year warranty on our website. Warranty is only 2 years, but we want to highlight a warranty without specifying the duration)
Regular Maintenance
Even if you currently have pavement, you don’t have to fall victim to the numerous issues that water can cause. Cracks and deterioration can be treated with regular maintenance. You may not need to completely replace your asphalt in order to address the cracks that water has caused. Filling potholes and cracks is just one way to combat further deterioration. We recommend re-coating your surface at least every 5 years to avoid cracks and subsurface problems. A little regular maintenance can save you big money down the road.
Paving for Massachusetts
Being locally owned and operated right in Woburn, we understand that the weather can be quite tumultuous at times. The amount of precipitation we have can wreak havoc on your pavement. If you want pavement that is done right the first time, give us a call. We offer a warranty on all new depth work and stand by our expertise. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.