Five Things that Can Cause Damage to an Asphalt Pavement and How to Fight Them Off

2/12/2020

For the best paving solution to use for roadways, driveways, and garages, asphalt is a trusted material. However, it does have its disadvantages. We've come up with what we believe are the most common enemies of asphalt pavement and how you can tackle them.

1. Water

The first enemy of Asphalt is Water. This can be stagnant water, melted ice or snow, and rain. Ideally, a well-installed asphalt surface will drain water away because leaving stagnant water on the asphalt surface can be detrimental to the longevity of the Asphalt.

Also, an asphalt surface that isn't regularly maintained can be easily weakened by surface water or vehicle liquid. This applies to driveways, roadways, and parking lots. Surface water causes a negative ripple effect on asphalt surfaces such as expanding cracks and potholes.

Solution

The use of porous asphalt is a new development in the maintenance of asphalt surfaces. This material reduces water build-up on an asphalt pavement by allowing the water, rain, or melted ice to run through it, thereby reducing the likelihood of water damage.

Regularly applying sealcoat to asphalt pavements or using porous asphalt can extend the life and quality of asphalt surfaces, keeping them free from water damages.

2. Sunlight

Asphalt is also always damaged by sunlight, which burns through it and weakens it over time. Especially here in Las Vegas Nevada.

Solution

An efficient way to protect asphalt is through sealcoating. Applying sealcoating, at least every 3 to 4 years, can help protect asphalt surfaces from sunlight damage.

Sealcoating is a sure method that ensures that your asphalt pavement doesn't incur any damage during use. It ensures quality, longevity, value for money and a new look for surfaces. Most importantly, it helps to save costs.

3. Heavy Duty Truck & Vehicles

As a result of the constant plying of trucks and vehicles on asphalt pavements, the wheel paths begin to deteriorate and rut. More damage is prevalent in driveways where heavy-duty trucks park, move quickly or even move slowly. This affects the viability and functionality of roadways, driveways and parking lots.

Solution

Proper asphalt installation is the surest way to ensure that pavements don't deteriorate too quickly. It is important to contact a professional asphalt pavement contractor to help consult on the best installation methods for your asphalt surface. With proper knowledge, you can make the best decision that ensures durability and quality.

4. Fuel & Oil

Other forms of liquid apart from water that can cause damage to asphalt surfaces are fuel and oil. Both chemical substances cause a quick deterioration of pavements. Because of their chemical makeup, they can and over time, will penetrate the surface of the asphalt. This constant spillage of fuel and oil will, in turn, cause the asphalt to crumble and soften, leading to major repairs that can burn a hole in your pocket.

Solution

Regularly inspecting and repairing areas of the asphalt surface that have fuel and oil will save you the pain of spending valuable time and expenses fixing damages in the asphalt pavement.

Trees and Tree Roots

Cracks and bumps appear beneath asphalt surfaces as a result of tree roots trying to grow and source for water.

Solution

The best way to fight this enemy is by prior consultation with experienced professionals, preferably those that have worked on projects with several overhead trees.

If you need more information or a detailed quote for an asphalt repair project, feel free to contact us. We are Great West Asphalt Paving.

57 Comments

Edcelle Marie link

5/7/2020 10:47:55 pm

Thank you for telling us that even the simplest of things such as direct sunlight can damage our asphalt driveway. It might be the reason why we're seeing more cracks during warmer seasons since our current area really suffers from extreme heat during the summer. It might be a good idea to ask a nearby contractor and see what can be the best way to fill and fix these cracks.

Patrick Ross link

6/11/2020 06:37:32 am

It's great that properly installed asphalt won't deteriorate as quickly. My sister wants to get a new parking lot paved for her business soon. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this.

Decking Bay Of Penty link

7/20/2020 05:38:03 am

I am so happy I found your blog and I absolutely love your information about five things that can cause damage to an asphalt pavement and how to fight them off. I liked and it is wonderful to know about so many things that are useful for all of us! Thanks a lot for this amazing blog!! You must also check out Groundworkslandscaping.co.nz it has some great insights too.

Greg Hampton link

8/12/2020 06:57:54 am

I like what you said about liquids causing damage to asphalt. My sister wants to have a nice driveway soon. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for professionals who can help her with this.

foundation contractor link

8/29/2020 01:31:25 am

Its really hard to maintain asphalt driveway.You have to reconstruct them every 3-4 years.But still thanks for pointing out the causes.

SATX Concrete Contractors link

8/31/2020 03:20:54 am

Didnt knew that sunlight can damage asphalt pavings. Nice blog. learned a lot of stuffs from your blog. Keep up the good work

Damien Cruz link

9/4/2020 08:49:24 am

Its really wierd ! That sunlight can cause damage to an asphalt driveway. Informative article. Thanks for posting . Keep it up.

9/5/2020 02:27:45 am

Really good article. Thanks for sahring some really good tips about asphalt paving. Keep it up.

Excavation Auckland link

9/8/2020 05:50:20 am

This is such a nice blog on the five things that can be cause damage to an asphalt pavement and how to fight them. It is a pleasure worth reading it. In order to get better information and guidance can be taken from this blog specifically. It plays a vital role in taking us through. It can be really great for people like me who are looking for grabbing more knowledge about.Well, I have visited another site Earthmovingandcivil.co.nz having some wonderful and similar information.

Zachary Tomlinson link

9/15/2020 08:19:23 am

I like how you were transparent on the things that can cause asphalt to get damaged. I had no idea that too much sunlight can damage an asphalt road, which can weaken it when prolonged. I'll be sure to hire an asphalt repair expert if ever this happens to my property in the future.

Jason Fielder link

9/17/2020 06:21:18 am

Thanks for listing the things that can damage my asphalt.
We had our driveway paved a year ago, and since it has
formed some cracks on it, my sister is looking for paving contractors to have it seal coated. I had no idea that
seal coating must be done every few years.

Penelope Smith link

9/28/2020 04:34:49 pm

I have been considering getting a new concrete patio installed in my house this fall. It is nice to know that it would be smart for me to check if sunlight will affect the concrete. That does seem like a good thing to get an expert to help me figure out what type of concrete will work well.

Jack Davis link

10/1/2020 01:48:08 am

Looking forward to get in touch with you guys for my upcoming projects! Keep it up

Demolition link

10/5/2020 11:10:40 am

Good work. Really appreciate your hard work!

Greg Ward link

10/8/2020 02:08:38 am

Thanks a lot. I was also facing some problems while doing my driveway work, I hope it will hlep me

Tulsa Concrete Contractors link

10/9/2020 05:30:23 am

Thank you. Really good work!

Paving Contractors Mackay link

10/22/2020 12:58:34 am

Thee Tips Help to Improve the Quality of Asphalt Pavement. Thanks

Chris Pederson link

10/28/2020 01:23:40 pm

I had no idea that asphalt is damaged by sunlight. I'll look into getting the asphalt protected. You can't stop the sun so I'll need coats applied to the asphalt just in case.

Kristofer Van Wagner link

11/26/2020 10:21:59 pm

Thank you for pointing out that when hiring a professional pavement company, they will be able to help fix our asphalt problems without any hiccups. My wife noticed that our pavement is getting hallow cause of the water. I will call an asphalt pavement contractor to help me out.

Taylor Hicken link

11/30/2020 09:11:33 pm

I appreciated it when you mentioned that your pavements won't deteriorate fast if you acquire a proper asphalt installation by a professional contractor. My father just told me the other day that he is unhappy with the look of our pavement that has damaged badly due to heavy-duty trucks and vehicles that constantly use the driveway. I will suggest to him hiring a reliable asphalt service to fix it so the problem won't occur again.

Bob link

12/29/2020 02:27:00 pm

I like your asphalt tips. I need to get a new driveway. I need a contractor for my house.

12/31/2020 08:13:33 am

I never knew that water can easily damage asphalt pavements. My wife and I are planning to add asphalt paving to our landscaping. I will definitely read up on the maintenance tips to ensure we properly maintain it.

Tez link

1/25/2021 02:24:23 pm

Great tip about how asphalt surfaces are porous. Does that mean that water can seep in? I imagine that would require fixing after ice expansion in the winter.

1/26/2021 12:35:57 pm

Thanks for the advice to use seal coating to protect your asphalt. I don't want to have it installed only for it to break up months later. That is an investment and all investments need maintenance and care.

Adam Golightly link

2/10/2021 01:15:27 pm

I can see how a business could really benefit from getting their asphalt maintained by a professional to make sure that there won't be any damage. Making sure that they can get some help from a professional could allow them to protect their land. It was interesting to learn about how cracks can be expanded by water because of the surface water ripple effect.

Austin Concrete link

2/18/2021 02:13:51 am

Maybe you could visit this site for some information and references too.

Curtis Butler link

3/1/2021 10:36:32 am

Thank you for mentioning how your driveway may get damaged when exposed to water if the asphalt hasn't been designed to drain nearby water. My wife and I have noticed that a puddle in the center of our driveway has been causing cracks to form in our asphalt, and we'd like to find a way to repair the damages before it rains this weekend. We'll rely on a professional that can help us with the repair process.

Sarah Smith link

3/22/2021 10:25:59 am

Thanks for explaining that if there are any fuel or oil spills on asphalt, it will crumble and soften. I can imagine that causing a lot of problems if you are in charge of maintaining a parking lot because it could scare off customers. My sister just bought a storefront downtown where she will open her bakery, and the parking lot has a lot of stains from oil spills. I'll suggest she find an asphalt contractor to repave the parking lot.

Larry Weaver link

3/29/2021 01:32:03 pm

Thanks for the info about asphalt. I plan on working with asphalt for a construction project. I'll look for a contractor who can help me out.

Darrien Hansen link

3/30/2021 11:38:57 am

I had no idea that failing to maintain your asphalt can cause it to become damaged by water. My brother has been thinking about getting an asphalt driveway installed. He should learn how to care for it before he finds a paving contractor that can help him.

Braden Bills link

4/8/2021 07:50:19 am

My asphalt pavement has been having some issues, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I didn't realize that expose to water could be the cause of these! After I get my asphalt fixed, I'll be sure to take better care to protect it from unnecessary water exposure.

John link

5/29/2021 03:11:45 am

Very Informative post. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
<b><a><a href="https://socalsweeping.com/" title= "parking lot sweeping">parking lot sweeping</a></b>

6/3/2021 07:09:44 am

I want to make sure that I get the right pavement for my driveway. It makes sense that I would want to get a professional to help me out with this. They would be able to ensure that it gets installed correctly.

Asphalt Sealcoating link

7/21/2021 04:10:35 pm

Thank you for sharing such great information. Many property owners do not realize how important it is to properly maintain their asphalt driveway or parking lot. Making sure that water is being drained is one crucial methods for maintaining the asphalt pavement. You are absolutely right about suggesting to apply asphalt sealcoting as a measure to protect the parking lot or driveway.

Chance Cook link

7/27/2021 10:05:44 am

I'll try and extend my pavement's life by applying a seal coat to it often. This should save me a ton of money over time. Now it just depends on if I can find someone to do it for me because I have no idea what I am doing.

8/3/2021 08:26:15 am

I want to make sure that I take good care of my asphalt driveway. It makes sense that proper maintenance would be really important. I'll be sure to do that so I can prevent expensive repairs.

Hailey Miller link

8/10/2021 05:37:15 pm

Thanks for pointing out that asphalt is always damaged by sunlight since it burns through it and weakens it over time. My husband and I are planning to improve our driveway because the asphalt has cracks and holes due to the harsh weather. I guess we should look for a reliable asphalt paving contractor on Monday who can conduct the necessary repairs and add a few inches of asphalt to our whole lot for better overall appeal.

Asphalt Repair Edmonton link

8/13/2021 10:23:30 am

Great article! And good tips on maintaining the asphalt surface. It's a pretty big investment and knowing how to get the most out of it is important to know. Thanks for sharing!

8/26/2021 08:13:04 pm

I do agree that when looking to have asphalt pavement made, it is important that we choose the right contractor. It makes sense as they are skilled and equipped with the relevant and necessary skill sets. I will definitely be mindful when I choose a contractor for my pavement needs.

Mia Evans link

9/6/2021 04:28:45 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that an asphalt surface that is not maintained well can be easily weakened by water and vehicle liquids. As you said, this can happen to roadways, driveways, and even parking lots. I guess people who own these places would definitely have to hire paving contractors to maintain them regularly for their peace of mind and reduce costs in the long run.

Millie Hue link

10/21/2021 08:17:43 pm

Thanks for pointing out that seal coating will ensure that your pavement will not incur any damage using use. I will keep that in mind when I hire residential paving contractors to construct an asphalt driveway for our property. I just wanted this material to ensure that our truck will not damage the driveway too easily due to being a heavy vehicle.

John Carston link

10/22/2021 11:08:10 pm

I like how you mentioned that asphalt is a trusted material for the best paving solution to use. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he and his friend are hoping to find asphalt seal coating services that can fix the floor cracks at their business workplace and asked me if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that they can consult trusted asphalt seal-coating services as they can answer all their inquiries and will provide good-quality service.

Jeff Carbine link

12/10/2021 06:59:32 am

I never knew that for the best paving solution to use for roadways, driveways, and garages, asphalt is a trusted material. I didn't think that it would be like this. Thank you for the information about asphalt.

12/29/2021 03:35:21 am

I never knew that an efficient way to protect asphalt is through seal coating. In this way, I could maintain the asphalt in my residence. Thank you for the information about asphalt paving.

1/4/2022 07:02:17 pm

I loved it when you said that an efficient way to protect asphalt is through seal coating. Applying seal coating, at least every 3 to 4 years, can help protect asphalt surfaces from sunlight damage. We are planning to put a driveway along our lawn going to the patio. I think an asphalt driveway would be great. I will be contacting the soil supplier as one material for paving construction.

Vivian Black link

1/13/2022 08:15:47 am

It seems as though the small tree we planted in our front yard has grown in its roots to the point of dislodging our driveway. We are in need of a paving professional to remedy this. I appreciate that you noted cracks and bumps under paving surfaces are sometimes trees that are looking for water. A professional paver might have some solutions.

1/17/2022 09:35:48 pm

It's great that you elaborated on the importance of having a perfect job is a smooth surface. One of my parent's friends told me that he is looking for a service that can help pave their driveway because of cracked parts. Thanks for helping me understand that driveway asphalt paving can help with those issues, I'll be sure to tell this to someone that needs this kind of service.

1/28/2022 10:43:14 pm

I never knew that surface water or vehicle fluids can readily deteriorate an asphalt surface that isn't properly maintained. I never thought that it would be like this, I'll share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about asphalt paving.

2/9/2022 04:53:18 am

I never knew that surface water or vehicle fluids can readily deteriorate an asphalt surface that isn't maintained on a regular basis. I never thought that it would be like this, I'll share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about asphalt paving.

View website link

3/8/2022 08:35:42 pm

Do you have more sources for us?

Victoria Addington link

3/10/2022 01:35:53 am

It helped when you discussed that applying seal coating is the best defense for sunlight damage to your asphalt surface. Our asphalt driveway got some cracks on it. I think it's time to call an asphalt surface repair near our place so they can prevent any major damage.

San Antonio Concrete link

4/13/2022 08:08:35 am

It was beneficial when you mentioned that seal coating is the greatest protection against light damage to your asphalt surface. On our asphalt driveway, there are a few fissures. I believe it's time to contact an asphalt surface repair business in our region to guarantee any significant damage isn't caused.

Olivia Smart link

5/25/2022 11:37:01 am

Thank you for explaining that water can eventually lead to potholes and cracks in asphalt. I've been wondering why we keep getting cracks in our asphalt driveway. I think this might be the biggest factor.

Iris Smith link

9/1/2022 09:52:44 pm

I like what you stated about how utilizing porous asphalt or frequently applying a seal coat to asphalt pavements may improve the quality and lifespan of asphalt surfaces while preventing water damage. My garden's asphalt surface has suffered damage as a result of the automated watering system. I'll get in touch with a professional to undertake asphalt resurfacing so that my garden looks better.

Aron link

9/29/2022 03:41:11 am

Great article! This is nice so that people will know what the do's and don'ts when working with their driveways.

11/22/2022 11:21:26 am

Thank you for explaining how you can extend the life of your asphalt by sealcoating it. My husband and I just had our driveway paved a few months ago. We're wondering what we should do to keep it from getting damaged. I hadn't thought about sealcoating it, but I'll be sure to try this before winter fully sets in.

Eli Richardson link

1/13/2023 09:15:01 am

We're glad you described how we'd protect our asphalt from sunlight damage through seal coating. I'd like to fix and renovate my house's driveway this month before my parents come to visit, so I think it'd be wise to find a contractor for the job. Thank you for the insight on seal coating your pavement to ensure longevity and quality.