Your asphalt pavement will have a much shorter life without timely repairs. Furthermore, damage tends to generate more damage that can reduce the useful life of your pavement even more. During your pavement’s abbreviated life, you will likely find yourself paying for repairs to larger and larger areas. One type of repair that is especially critical is asphalt patchwork.
Why Is Asphalt Patchwork Critical?
The main reason that you do not want to delay your patchwork has to do with the most common types of damage that are typically addressed with asphalt patching. A pothole repair normally requires an asphalt patch. So do repairs to a relatively small area of alligatored asphalt. Cracks that are too large to be filled or sealed may also require a patch. All of these pose a common threat that can affect your entire pavement: They allow copious amounts of water to penetrate beneath the surface. Once water reaches the pavement’s foundation, it weakens and destabilizes it. A weak, unstable foundation cannot bear the weight of the pavement and the traffic it supports.
Is There a Particular Season That Is Best for Asphalt Patchwork?
Typically, an Atlanta paving company will use hot mix asphalt for patching. Most parking lot maintenance and repair companies insist on a ground temperature of at least 50 degrees before starting a job that requires HMA. Thus, it is not so much the time of year as it is the weather conditions on a particular day. Even during the winter months, there may be certain days that are suitable for asphalt patching. However, most contractors who offer asphalt repair paving services prefer to handle those jobs between early spring and late fall.
Is It Possible to Make a Pothole Repair in Cold Weather?
The important thing to remember when you need an asphalt repair is that you need to seal out any precipitation that might fall. There are certain patching materials that are designed specifically for use in cold weather. Repairs made with these materials seldom have the longevity of those made with hot mix asphalt, but they are definitely better than nothing. Just keep in mind that you should call your Atlanta paving company to check on them in early spring so that they can replace any failing patches.
How Do Contractors Install Asphalt Patches?
Typically, an Atlanta paving company will use one of three patching techniques.
1. A full-depth patch is a very common choice, especially if the underlying foundation needs to be reinforced or repaired. Contractors typically use a saw to remove a square or rectangle that contains the damage. Next, they finish the work on the foundation, then clean out the void. Several courses of fresh asphalt paving are introduced into the void and compacted so that the patch will be flush with the surrounding pavement. Full-depth patches are normally permanent repairs, and they are usually the most expensive type of patch.
2. Partial-depth patches and full-depth patches are almost identical. However, the contractor does not remove the full depth of the asphalt, so no work will be performed on the foundation. Partial-depth patches cost less than full-depth patches. Depending on the situation, a partial-depth patch could be considered a semipermanent or permanent repair.
3. Skin patches are the least expensive type of asphalt patching. They are only suitable for shallow birdbaths or damage that is limited to the top inch or two of the pavement. Skin patches are typically considered temporary repairs.
The Surface Masters is an asphalt paving company and is committed to ensuring the complete satisfaction of every client on every job. Whether you need asphalt repairs, sealcoating, asphalt paving, pavement markings, asphalt milling, crack sealing, or concrete work, you can count on us.
We have a reputation for consistently providing high-quality results with professionalism and integrity. We offer free quotes, so fill out our online form, email Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com, or call 770-250-6392 to submit your request today.
