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What Is the Best Way to Repair Damaged Asphalt?

What Is the Best Way to Repair Damaged Asphalt?There is a saying that the Dallas weather can change so quickly that you can experience all four seasons in one day. That is, of course, a bit of an exaggeration, but it is true that the weather can change rapidly. Even the normal seasonal fluctuations can be extreme; summers can be brutally hot, and winters can be cold and icy. Therefore, your asphalt pavement can suffer through droughts, torrential rains, hailstorms, freezing temperatures, and blistering heat. Dallas also has a massive population, and most of them rely on their cars to get around the metroplex. When you consider all of these factors, it is easy to see that your pavement will need an occasional asphalt repair.

What Causes Asphalt Damage?

There are several things that can lead you to call your asphalt contractor for a paving repair.

1. Water Infiltration: If water reaches the foundation that supports your pavement, it can erode it. Your foundation weakens and becomes destabilized. Water infiltration is the leading cause of Dallas potholes and alligator cracking.
2. Ultraviolet Radiation: UV rays fade your pavement’s color, but they also make asphalt brittle and dry. The pavement will be more susceptible to cracking, and the cracks will often be deeper and wider than average.
3. Vehicle Fluids: Most automotive fluids are petroleum distillates, including diesel, oil, and gasoline. Asphalt is also a petroleum distillate. When vehicle fluids drip on your pavement, they destroy the asphalt binder. Soft, crumbly spots develop in the pavement beneath the automotive fluids. Potholes form, and alligator cracking will follow close behind.
4. Overloading: Contractors build pavements to support vehicles of certain weights in certain numbers. Allowing vehicles with heavier weights can damage your asphalt pavement. Dramatically exceeding the number of vehicles on a regular basis can also inflict damage.

What Type of Asphalt Repair Is Best?

It depends on the type and severity of the damage. Typically, the best way to repair Dallas potholes and areas with alligator cracking is by patching them. There are various types of patching methods that your contractor can use, but the two best are partial-depth and full-depth patches.

1. Contractors perform full-depth asphalt patching by removing all layers of the damaged asphalt. This exposes the base so that the contractor can strengthen it or repair it. The contractor then replaces the asphalt paving and compacts it. This is the best method for repairing alligatored asphalt.
2. Partial-depth asphalt patching is almost identical to the full-depth method. The difference is that the contractor does not remove all layers of the asphalt. Therefore, it will not be possible to repair any damage to the foundation. This method is often best for repairing potholes that have not yet allowed water to erode the foundation.

If My Pavement Damage Is Widespread, What Is the Best Asphalt Repair Method?

If the damage is spread out over your pavement, you might want to consider an asphalt overlay. Your contractor may call this resurfacing. For an overlay to be cost-effective, your foundation needs to be relatively undamaged.

1. Your contractor will mill your pavement to remove a precise depth of asphalt. Usually, this is between two and three inches.
2. If milling was incapable of removing deeper damage, your contractor will make the necessary repairs.
3. Your contractor will install a sufficient number of asphalt courses to return the pavement to its original depth.

If you need a new pavement, asphalt maintenance or asphalt repair, contact HI-TEK Paving. We have an exemplary reputation for superior craftsmanship, unparalleled customer service, and professionalism. We serve the DFW metroplex with asphalt paving and repairs, asphalt overlays, parking lot striping, concrete paving, asphalt crack repairs, sealcoating, and concrete repairs. Contact us today to request a free quote. You can either fill out the online form or call 214-908-9641.