Asphalt pavement is both durable and resilient. And it has to be. Asphalt pavement takes a beating on a daily basis. Between regular traffic and Mother Nature, your pavement needs to be strong. However, over time, even the toughest asphalt will start to deteriorate.
What Causes Asphalt Pavement Deterioration?
There are actually a few likely causes of pavement deterioration, including:
- Natural Wear and Tear: Over time, the materials that make up asphalt begin to deteriorate. The liquid asphalt binder, the glue that holds the pavement together, begins to lose its natural elasticity and starts to break down. During this process, the asphalt also loses its natural resistance to water, making the pavement even more susceptible to rain, snow, freezing and thawing, and more. Once this happens, cracking and other forms of deterioration are not far behind.
- Failures in Construction: Improperly installed asphalt can be a large reason for the deterioration of your pavement. Failures in construction can include: improperly compacted base, over or under compaction of the asphalt, improper temperature during application, poor drainage, and so much more.
Types of Asphalt Deterioration
- 1. Cracking: Cracking comes in many different forms, from alligatoring and edge cracks to slippage, reflection, and more.
- 2. Disintegration: This type of deterioration includes potholes, raveling, and the like.
- 3. Distortion: The result of improper pavement construction and the deterioration of the underlying base, distortion includes channels or ruts, corrugations and shoving, grade depressions, upheaval, and utility cut depressions.
When asphalt is installed properly and well maintained, it can last for 25 years or more! So trust your asphalt to a contractor with a proven track record of success, a contractor like Patrick Gillen of PTG Enterprises.
PTG Enterprises: Your Baltimore Asphalt Contractor
The asphalt experts at PTG Enterprises have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.
When you hire PTG, you can be rest assured that you will receive the best customer service in the industry. PTG provides prompt proposals, competitive bids, and top notch management to every aspect of the project from beginning to end. We will show up as scheduled, perform the project as contracted, and leave you with a smile on your face!
If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today!
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