How to Prevent Potholes from Forming

Asphalt potholes are a hazard that you want to avoid whenever possible. Driving on potholes can lead to popped tires, and other damage to your vehicle. If you own a parking lot with potholes, people can get hurt if they don’t see a pothole while walking. Asphalt companies will encourage you to have potholes on your property fixed to avoid damage to vehicles or personal injuries. Preventing asphalt potholes from forming can keep your driveway or parking lot safe for use.

Clean the Driveway or Parking Lot Every Week

The best way to catch cracks or small potholes early is to have a weekly cleaning schedule for your driveway or parking lot. This can be done using a simple broom, hose, or blower. When you check your driveway weekly, and clean it off, you are going to notice any problems as soon as they begin.

Patch Any Cracks Immediately After Discovery

If you find a crack in your asphalt, this should be repaired right away. Asphalt companies are usually available quick to take care of small cracks you uncover during a routine cleaning. When you ignore a crack in your asphalt, the problem is only going to get worse over time. Water can get below the surface of your asphalt through a crack, and wreak havoc with your sub-structure below.

Invest in Asphalt Sealing Every Few Years

The asphalt on your driveway is going to fade over time. To keep the structural integrity of your asphalt intact, have the driveway sealed every two to three years. Asphalt companies will apply a thin layer of asphalt onto the existing surface, where it will then protect your driveway for a few years. Once the seal has worn off, you can apply another coat.

Remove Weeds From Your Driveway

Weeds can get into the cracks or crevices of your asphalt, and will continue to grow if you don’t remove them. As weeds grow, they are going to multiply. This will cause a crack to widen further, and eventually a pothole will form. If you find weeds in your driveway, take the time to remove them periodically. Use a spray to prevent weeds from growing in the cracks of your driveway if possible.

Clean Up Oil Stains Immediately

Oil should never be left to sit on your driveway, as this is going to destroy the asphalt. Oil spills are messy, and the oil is hazardous enough to cause damage to the asphalt. If the oil remains without getting cleaned up, you will eventually have cracks and potholes form because of the damage.

Improve the Drainage of Your Parking Lot or Driveway

If you have problems with puddles forming on your asphalt, this is going to lead to the formation of asphalt potholes. When there is a puddle, this means the water is not draining from your property adequately. Standing water breaks down the surface of your asphalt, leading to weak, cracked asphalt that starts to sink. 

Pay attention to any problems with your asphalt surface, and contact an asphalt company for crack repair and pothole filling if you need it. Take the time to clean your asphalt weekly, and deal with small repairs quickly to avoid a complete failure of your asphalt surface.

5 Things You Need to Know About Alligator Cracking

Concrete cracking occurs for a number of reasons, and it’s important to take care of cracks to prolong the lifespan of your asphalt. Alligatored asphalt is a term used by concrete companies to identify cracks that look like alligator skin. The cracks can be small, and caused by too much traffic, heavy loads, or from temperature extremes. If you have problems with the structural integrity of your concrete, it’s time to learn more about solving the problem.

Alligator Cracking Is Common

One of the first things to understand about concrete cracking, is that alligator cracking is a common type of damage you will see with asphalt. It can occur no matter how old the concrete is, and will need to be repaired to prevent water from getting below the surface to cause further issues.

Heavy Loads are Only One Cause of Alligator Cracking

Too much weight on your driveway or parking lot is only one way that alligator cracking occurs. Excessive traffic on the concrete will eventually cause it to wear down and crack. An inadequate subgrade below the surface can lead to alligator cracking, because the concrete is not being properly supported during use.

It’s Expensive to Neglect Alligator Cracks

If you don’t take the time to repair small concrete cracking issues, it is going to get expensive to repair the problem over time. When you ignore alligator cracks in concrete, the integrity of the surface of your driveway or parking lot is ruined. This means water and other debris can get below the surface, degrading the supporting foundation. Cracks will start to get larger, and eventually you will need to replace the entire project.

You Can Clean Alligatored Concrete Easily

Understand that you don’t have to use a pressure washer in order to properly clean alligatored concrete. This surface can be cleaned with a regular hose, water, and stiff broom to remove dirt and debris. If you try to use a pressure washer on alligatored concrete, you could end up applying too much pressure and causing further damage to the concrete.

Summer is the Best Time to Repair Concrete

If you have alligatored asphalt on your property, summer is the best time to consider hiring concrete companies to take care of the work for you. The weather is nice, and you want to be sure that you have enough warmth for the asphalt to cure. When asphalt is laid in the warm weather months, it can be applied with the intent that it will shrink slightly when the cold weather hits. If you have noticed problems with alligator concrete cracking, summer is a great time to call for a repair.

When you take good care of your asphalt, it can last for many years without a problem. Pay attention to any small cracks, and get those filled in before they become too large to repair. Avoid heavy traffic on your concrete, and clean the surface periodically to remove any dirt, debris or chemical spills. When you take care of small repairs, your driveway is going to last longer. Good maintenance is less expensive than replacing the existing surface because of neglect.