ASPHALT MAINTENANCE
Asphalt is a mixture of asphalt cement
mixed with an aggregate of various sizes of crushed rock.
It is prepared in a hot mix asphalt
plant, where the asphalt cement and the crushed rock are mixed together so that
the rock is coated with the asphalt cement. It must be applied to the surface
and completely compacted and smoothed before it cools below 175°F, at which point it becomes
hard.
Regrettably, asphalt is placed in
locations where it subject to abuse from traffic, sunlight, water, oils, and
other damaging effects. As soon as it is placed, deterioration begins. The
asphalt surface is begins to be attacked both from beneath and from above.
Water is one of the main enemies of asphalt. It is hard to
control moisture levels in the soils and rock below pavements.
Water makes clay swell,
washes away dirt and erodes the base rock that is providing support for the asphalt. The
resulting weak base does not provide sufficient support for the material,
especially when the surface is traveled by vehicles with high axle loads, such
as garbage trucks, delivery vehicles or high traffic volume. Cracks may begin to appear, which
in turn allow in
more water ...that eventually causes pot holes.
The sun tends to oxidize the asphalt cement that is binding the rock together.
As the asphalt cement oxidizes, the surface begins to lose pieces of the rock in
the mixture. The asphalt surface is also damaged by oil leaks from vehicles. The
oil will dissolve the asphalt cement and cause the surface to lose some of the
rock also.
Asphalt requires maintenance and care
to reach maximum life.
The care is very inexpensive compared to full
replacement of the asphalt surface, so penny pinching here can be very unwise
later.
Make certain that the site is correctly graded and drained at installation to
reduce pockets where water can collect and deteriorate the surface or substrate.
Have a sealcoat applied to the surface
at regular intervals. We can recommend a routine, which can be every few years depending on climate, use, and other factors.
Sealing will extend the
life of asphalt significantly, and one sealing job will cost only a tiny
fraction of repaving and especially replacement or repair in the future with
ever-rising oil prices.
The sealcoat will protect the asphalt
surface from oil and gas drippings, oxidation, and water penetration therefore
increasing the life of the pavement.
Timely repair of damaged areas is very
important. That honeycomb pattern of cracks allows more and more water
penetration,
softening more and more of the base, leading to premature failure and the need
for replacement of the asphalt.
Calling Remac Today can save
thousands of dollars over the life of your valuable pavement.
Call us or email for an expert explanation in easy to
understand language of what our planned maintenance can do for you.
1-800-SEALCOAT (from 434, 804, 757, 252, and 919 area codes)
1-866-423-6400 (from all area codes)
Site Started September 25, 2007
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