Roads are made with asphalt. Why asphalt? Because it’s an incredibly strong material. Asphalt lasts a long, long time, and its quality rarely deteriorates over time. However, while it may be seemingly perfect, it’s not without its faults.
The Sun’s Effect on Asphalt
Since our roads are made with asphalt, obviously, they’re out in the open. They absorb a lot of UV rays from the sun, which is a primary contributor to the faster deterioration of asphalt. This is most evident in roads made with blacktop asphalt, since they tend to absorb more UV rays, especially at the peak of summer.
When asphalt absorbs too much UV rays, it becomes brittle, leading to cracks and damage to the road. This can be dangerous since many cars drive on asphalt, and damaged roads are the cause of major vehicular accidents. Luckily, there are ways that you can maintain an asphalt road’s condition.
What exactly can you do to make sure that the quality of the asphalt in your pavement is maintained? In this article, we’ll shed light on the subject. Read on below to learn more.
#1 – Conduct Routine Inspections
Of course, you won’t know what to do if you don’t inspect your pavement. The largest of damages always start small, so keep an eye out for small cracks or dents in the asphalt. The earlier you see them, the earlier they can be fixed.
If you don’t have the means to do it yourself, you can always contact a paving company to do the work for you.
#2 – Set Aside Time to Clean the Pavement
If you can’t fix it yourself, or if there’s no damage to the pavement’s asphalt at all, you can always clean it yourself. Cleaning the pavement of organic and inorganic matter prevents major damages that can possibly happen in the future, extending the asphalt’s lifespan. If you do notice some debris while cleaning, it’s best to take them out immediately because it can lead to further damage.
To clean your pavement, you can splash water on it. Water cools the asphalt and allows it to take a breather since it absorbs a lot of UV rays during the day. However, be careful not to splash too much water, or else the asphalt will deteriorate.
#3 – Take Care of Your Plumbing System
It may seem unrelated, but your plumbing system can be a contributing factor to the deterioration of the asphalt on your pavement.
If you have a poor plumbing system, it’s most likely that the water will scatter everywhere, and pooling may happen.
During pooling, the water will push its weight down on the pavement, in which it will act as if it’s a basin. When water isn’t removed from the surface of the pavement immediately, it will weaken the asphalt, making it susceptible to erosion once it dries up. Erosion can cause cracks in the pavement, which is a catalyst for automobile accidents.
#4 – Implement Vehicle Size Limits
This applies more to commercial parking lots, but it should still be noted. The weight of SUVs and minivans can put a strain on the asphalt, which leads to damage. If you implement a limit on the size of vehicles that can park on an asphalt pavement, you’re essentially prolonging its lifespan.
Conclusion
Maintaining an asphalt pavement is a serious task. Since asphalt is something that people walk on and vehicles drive on, it’s important to take care of it because it can lead to accidents if not maintained properly. For quality paving work, always rely on a professional paving company to do the job.
If you need first-rate asphalt paving, particularly asphalt driveway installation in Edmonton, W&W Construction is the one to call. We are a full-service paving contractor that can handle both residential and commercial projects. Contact us today to learn more!
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