Left untreated, asphalt pavement will deteriorate rapidly. The asphalt binder that holds the pavement together begins to oxidize and weather soon after installation. Moisture penetrates the asphalt causing further damage and deterioration to the pavement.
One of the major ways moisture penetrates asphalt is through fatigue cracking. This condition occurs in areas subjected to repeated traffic loadings (wheel paths) and characteristically leaves the roadway in a chicken wire or alligator pattern. This cracking allows water into the pavement and causes the surface to break down, eventually forming a pothole. Potholes are bowl-shaped holes of various sizes in the pavement surface.
Do not wait to fix potholes and other areas that are cracking. These areas of damaged asphalt can easily double within a one-year period. When problem areas arise, Walker-Moody Construction can patch and fill these areas to extend the life of your pavement. Once moisture is prevented from penetrating the asphalt, this also is an ideal time to sealcoat the surface and prevent deraveling.
The best fix for fatigue cracking and potholes is a hot asphalt patch. For areas with fatigue cracking, here is what you will need to do: One, cut enough asphalt so the hole is about 2 inches deep; two, clean the patch area so that all loose debris is removed; three, spray tack coat in the patch area and around the edges, which acts like a glue and binds the hot asphalt to the current surface; and four, place hot asphalt in the hole and compact.
A cheaper solution to removing and replacing is crackfilling. For crackfilling, you need to clean the loose debris and make sure the surface is dry. Apply a hot crack filler such as CrackMaster PL (flexible parking lot formula), and open the area for vehicular traffic within five minutes.
For a free estimate, contact Walker-Moody Construction, an authorized installer of SealMaster Hawaii, at 839-2781. The company will come out and review your property, measure the asphalt for accuracy, provide recommendations in a formal proposal, and deliver your project on-time and on-budget.
Whether you want a quick fix or a long-term solution, give these professionals a call because they can fix it all.
CONTACT: 839-2781 • construction@walker-moody.com
WEBSITE: www.walker-moody.com
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