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Over time, asphalt pavements deteriorate because of age, traffic repetition, climate changes, drainage issues, poor construction, and several other reasons. In order to perform the right kind of repairs, you need to know what type of pavement distress you are dealing with.

As commercial asphalt contractors, we’ve seen and repaired our fair share of cracks and pavement deteriorations. That’s why we wanted to provide a quick guide on the different pavement distresses your commercial property may be experiencing and what you can do to fix the problem.

Fatigue Cracking

Also known as alligator cracking, fatigue cracking is the cracks that form on asphalt pavement that resemble the pattern on the skin of alligators. Fatigue cracks develop because of load-related issues, such as repeated traffic. These cracks often form where the wheels of vehicles frequently drive. The pavement is susceptible to fatigue cracking if it has a weak base course or subgrade or is laid too thinly.

Longitudinal Cracking

Unlike fatigue cracks, longitudinal cracking does not form because of load-related problems. These parallel cracks down the road’s centerline are caused by poorly constructed joints, shrinking asphalt layers, or cracks in the underlying pavement layer.

Edge Cracking

Edge cracking is a type of longitudinal cracking that occurs near the outer edge of the pavement. These cracks appear because there is not enough support on the pavement edge.

Reflection Cracking

Reflection cracks form on the pavement surface over joints or cracks in the underlying concrete pavement. They may also develop because the old pavement shifts underneath.

Block Cracking

These cracks are usually large and rectangular. They are caused by the shrinkage of the asphalt pavement due to temperature changes. Because of the environmental impact, block cracks can even form on roads that are not often used.

Slippage Cracking

Slippage cracking occurs when the asphalt pavement is low-strength or has not been adequately bonded with the other pavement layers. These crescent-shaped cracks form when drivers turn or brake.

Transverse Cracking

Like longitudinal cracks, transverse cracks are not related to load issues. Instead, they are often caused by the shrinkage of the asphalt. However, they may also be formed by reflection from another crack. Transverse cracking can be found perpendicular to the centerline of the road or drive.

Raveling

Raveling is the deterioration of aggregate particles in the asphalt cement from a poor-quality mixture. It occurs because of frequent traffic.

Potholes

Every driver has come across a pothole at some point in their life. These bowl-like holes in the road or driveway are caused by the continued deterioration of another type of asphalt pavement distress.

Depressions

A pavement distress caused by a failing underlying pavement layer is depression. These pavement flaws are localized low spots in the pavement. They are especially noticeable when it rains, and these depressions fill with water.

Rutting

Rutting is a type of pavement distress that forms in the wheel paths of the road or drive. It is a depression caused by the consolidation of the pavement layers or subgrade. Rutting is most commonly the result of weak asphalt mixtures or an insufficient pavement layer thickness.

Shoving

Caused by excessive amounts of fine aggregate, too much or too soft asphalt, or a weak granular base, shoving is the formation of ripples in the pavement. It is sometimes called wash-boarding.

Patching

Pavement distress may occur when pavements are patched. If the pavement is not compacted correctly or the underlying pavement is in poor condition, patching distress will likely arise with time.

Upheaval

The opposite of a depression is an upheaval. This type of pavement distress is characterized by the upward movement of one spot of the pavement. It is caused by the swelling of the subgrade.

Polished Aggregate

This type of distress is considered a skidding hazard because the aggregate is worn down into a smooth finish. These spots will need to have their roughness restored to protect the safety of drivers.

Bleeding

Another skidding hazard is bleeding. This occurs when too much asphalt reaches the pavement’s surface and reduces its skid resistance. The pavement mixture may have been made with too much asphalt, or the sealcoat may not have been properly applied.

What to Do with Asphalt Pavement Distress

Despite their quick and economical construction, asphalt pavements are still high quality and last a long time. However, they are still susceptible to some distresses, especially if proper construction isn’t done or suitable materials are not used. By understanding the various types of asphalt pavement distresses, you can take the right steps in repairing the pavement and extending its service life.

Commercial paving contractors can help you determine if the damage on your property needs small repairs or patching, hot asphalt patching, sealcoating, or repaving. They can also help answer questions like “can you lay asphalt on top of concrete?” so you can have a pavement solution that will serve your company well.

Get in touch with our team today to discuss asphalt pavement repairs and preventative maintenance!

Everything in the way of the sun’s rays will interact with it in some way. Lighter colored surfaces will reflect the heat, while darker colored surfaces, such as asphalt, will absorb the heat. Heat absorption causes the surface temperature of asphalt to rise, and you may even be able to see heat waves above the surface. Over time, heat absorption can lead to soft spots in your asphalt paving, leading to even more significant problems down the road.

Types of Asphalt Damage Caused by Heat

Some of these problems can include:

• Asphalt Raveling: Asphalt raveling begins with surface damage and permeates the asphalt aggregate and soil. It can happen when heat causes inadequate compaction or the binder and aggregate separate.
• Asphalt Tracking: Asphalt is meant to handle high temperatures, but prolonged exposure to heat and sun can still cause soft spots. Asphalt tracking occurs when small amounts of asphalt are so hot that they adhere to tires, shoes, and anything else that touches its surface.
• Asphalt Cracking: Without proper maintenance and installation, newer asphalt can crack under extreme heat and pressure. Asphalt cracking is most common in high-traffic areas.
• Asphalt Oxidation: UV rays can break down the binding oils on the surface of asphalt and lead to oxidation. Oxidation usually precedes raveling and cracking.

Prevent Asphalt Heat Damage with Maintenance

You can’t stop the sun from shining, but you can learn to prolong the life of your asphalt pavement with proper maintenance. Asphalt maintenance is multi-faceted, and it is best left to the experts.

If you notice cracks and other signs of damage, act quickly to repair them before they can spread. Sealcoating is among the best ways to protect your asphalt from damage year-round, including heat damage. Your paving contractor will be able to recommend the best asphalt maintenance plan for you, but generally, you can expect to apply a fresh seal coat every 2-3 years.

If you feel that your asphalt is too far gone to save, your paving contractor will be able to recommend the best methods of repair and replacement. Newer asphalt mixes are made with solar reflectance index (SRI) in mind. The higher the SRI of your chosen asphalt, the better it will be able to withstand the summer’s heat.

For more information about asphalt milling, paving, and repairs, get in touch with our team today.

When looking to pave your surfaces, it’s not always easy to choose the right material for the job, especially with the several available options. Asphalt and blacktop are terms used interchangeably in the paving industry, as these materials perform the same function. However, there are significant differences between the two.

Asphalt and blacktop are both made from the same two ingredients: crushed stone and bitumen. Bitumen is a dark material made from petroleum distillation and is used to hold the crushed stones together. Once bitumen has been added to crushed stone, the mixture is heated to over 250 degrees to form blacktop or asphalt. Asphalt and blacktop surfaces will then be pre-mixed, poured, and are ready for use about two days after being poured.

How Are Blacktop and Asphalt Made?

The primary difference between these two materials lies in how the ingredients are mixed:

How Blacktop Is Made

Despite being asphalt, blacktop is made from a different mixture. The mixture is more stone than bitumen and is heated to about 300 degrees. Blacktop roads have a sparkle on the surface due to the crushed stone and last quite long because of the higher temperature to which the mixture is heated.

How Asphalt Is Made

Asphalt does not contain as much natural crushed stone as blacktop. The mixture is heated at 250 degrees to make it strong and durable. Asphalt produces a smooth and quiet surface for vehicles to drive on, making for safer travel and reducing wear and tear on vehicles. This surface is much easier to maintain, especially during the winter months.

What Are the Different Uses for Blacktop and Asphalt?

Blacktop and asphalt have varying uses:

Uses of Blacktop

Blacktop is commonly used in areas that do not experience high traffic or have a high weight load because it is not as durable as commercial hot-mix asphalt. Blacktop is used on residential roads, parking lots, driveways, and playgrounds.

Uses of Asphalt

Asphalt is both flexible and water-resistant, making it ideal for use on major highways, airport runways, commercial parking lots, and other areas that see heavy traffic. Provided regular maintenance is performed, asphalt can last for more than 20 years. However, you should ensure asphalt is sealed to extend its life.

In short, both asphalt and blacktop can be called tarmac. These two materials are durable, safe, and can be used for paving various high-traffic areas. At Associated Paving Contractors, Inc., we not only help you choose the right paving material but also do quality paving work. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our commercial asphalt paving and sealcoating services.