How To Repair And Protect Your Damaged And Sinking Asphalt-Paved Surface
After your asphalt pavement has been installed, it will provide a smooth, durable, and dust-free surface for you and your vehicles. If your asphalt was not installed properly, it can begin to crack and fail prematurely and will need to be properly repaired. Here are some tips to help you repair surface sinking damage and protect the surface from further wear.
Repair Sunken Areas
When an asphalt's foundation has not been properly installed, the surface of your asphalt driveway cannot remain strong and level. This type of damage will likely result in the surface of your asphalt sinking in areas to create a spot where water collects and ponds. This collection of water can cause further deterioration on the surface of the asphalt.
Because the foundation of soil or gravel below the layer of asphalt has failed, you will need to remove the asphalt from the area and repair the base properly. Use a circular saw with a masonry blade to cut the outside of the sunken spot. Cut several inches around the perimeter to make sure you can repair all the damage to the site. Use a shovel or a pick-ax to remove the damaged asphalt and any gravel and loose soil below the asphalt.
Once you have removed the damaged and poorly-installed materials, replace the foundation to the asphalt with a compacted layer of angular gravel. It is recommended to install four to eight inches of gravel below your asphalt to facilitate moisture drainage, depending on the existing soil's drainage capacity, so you may have to excavate additional soil to make room for this layer. This gravel, once compacted, creates an interlocking foundation for your flexible asphalt, while allowing for moisture drainage without causing the pavement to sink or collapse.
Apply a Surface Sealant
The surface of your asphalt is exposed to weather, sunlight, and other forces that can cause it to deteriorate and dry out over time. For this reason, it is recommended to apply a surface sealcoating to restore moisture and flexibility to the surface while sealing up any small cracks from the sun's oxidation damage. Asphalt that is not sealcoated every few years will turn a light-gray color and dry out and crumble, forming potholes and a pattern of cracks upon its surface.
Clean out any cracks with a broom or a pressure washer before you patch them with an appropriate asphalt crack filler. You can use a liquid emulsion filler for thin cracks and a cold mix patch filler for thicker cracks. Next, hire a professional asphalt company to apply an even coating of asphalt tar emulsion sealcoating to the cleaned surface. This will restore the asphalt's black color and its surface integrity for the next few years.
Contact a company like ASAP Asphalt Sealing & Paving Co. for more information and assistance.