Learn what causes asphalt to deteriorate.
While asphalt is known for its durability and strength, it still needs proper maintenance and can deteriorate over time. Properly laid asphalt can last a long time in your parking lot, but long-term exposure to the elements can cause damage faster than you may think. Continue reading to learn more about asphalt deterioration.
Exposure To The Elements
You can’t completely avoid deterioration of constructed asphalt pavement, as it is natural for the materials to break down over time. Between car and foot traffic and exposure to the elements, all asphalt will break down at some point. Heavy amounts of rain can cause the liquid asphalt binder to lose its resistance to water, which allows water to penetrate the pavement and cause many problems and damages.
Sunlight can also cause deterioration by breaking down and drying out the liquid asphalt that holds the aggregate together. If the liquid asphalt breaks down completely, there will be nothing left to hold together everything that makes up the asphalt. Also, as a result of sun damage, shrinking cracks may form, resulting in water seeping beneath the surface, which creates more damage.
Human Error During Construction Process
If you notice that your asphalt is deteriorating very quickly and are unsure why, it likely has to do with the construction process. Unfortunately, asphalt can be applied poorly, and result in damages that will need to be fixed promptly. These poor construction practices may include the improper compaction of asphalt or the base beneath the asphalt, poor drainage systems, or pouring asphalt under bad conditions and improper temperatures.
To ensure your asphalt lasts as long as possible, be sure to call PTG Enterprises for any asphalt services you need, from installation to preventative, routine and corrective maintenance services. With PTG, each phase of the project will be executed with an attention to detail that other asphalt paving contractors don’t possess. We’ll establish timetables and plans that ensure the job gets done quickly, without impacting traffic flow or accessibility for customer and tenants and/or residents.
Paving Services You Can Trust from PTG Enterprises
Located in Linthicum, MD, PTG Enterprises has been in the commercial concrete, masonry, asphalt installation, repair, and paving business for almost 20 years. We offer our services throughout Baltimore, Harford, Anne Arundel, Howard, and P.G. Counties. If you are interested in hearing how we can help you, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 636-8777. For more tips and tricks, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, and Flickr.
Tags: asphalt, Asphalt Maintenance, My Pavement Guy, PTG Enterprises
