Property managers are responsible for ensuring the safety of the property, protecting the owner’s assets, and limiting potential liabilities. To accomplish all three of these goals, it is wise to repair any pavement breaks as soon as possible. However, it is even wiser to prevent the damage whenever possible. Although you may not be able to prevent every pothole, there are steps you can take that can help.
What Are Some Measures That Can Help Prevent a Pothole From Developing?
Professional asphalt maintenance is the key to preventing damage as well as mitigating the effects of any damage that does occur. Sealcoating is a highly effective, extremely economical procedure that can do wonders for the health of an asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavements are susceptible to damage from automotive fluids, water, and UV rays.
Automotive fluids turn asphalt pavements soft, water beneath the pavement damages the foundation, and UV rays make asphalt brittle and dry.
1. Before automotive fluids can damage the pavement, they must first eat their way through the sealcoating. This gives you more time to remove the corrosive fluids before they inflict damage on your pavement.
2. Sealcoating blocks UV rays so that the pavement retains its moisture, making it less likely to develop cracks.
3. Sealcoating protects against water penetration in two ways. First, it enhances the pavement’s natural water-resistant properties. Second, by helping to prevent cracks and other pavement breaks, water will have a tougher time finding an access point.
How Do Asphalt Contractors Repair a Pothole?
Contractors typically use an asphalt repair method known as patching. There are three basic types of asphalt patching.
1. A skin patch goes over the surface of the damaged area. This method of pothole repair is most suitable if the damage is shallow or small. A skin patch is not a permanent paving repair, but it is better than nothing.
2. A partial-depth patch is a method in which the contractor removed several inches of the damaged pavement’s depth. The contractor then replaces the asphalt in courses, compacting each course before installing the next. For this method to result in a long-lived paving repair, the foundation underlying it needs to be strong and intact.
3. A full-depth patch is the best type of pothole repair method if the contractor needs to work on the foundation. Typically, the contractor will saw out the damaged pavement and remove it to gain access to the foundation. After repairing, strengthening, or rebuilding the foundation, the paving repair contractor will replace it with new asphalt. Contractors consider full-depth patches as permanent repairs.
The Surface Masters is a leading asphalt maintenance and paving repair company serving clients throughout the greater Atlanta area. In addition to pothole repairs and asphalt patching, we offer asphalt sealcoating, concrete paving, asphalt crack sealing, pavement markings, asphalt milling, and asphalt paving. We have an exemplary reputation for superior workmanship, outstanding customer service, and true professionalism. If you would like to request a free job quote, you can submit the online form, call 770-250-6392, or email Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
