Taking care of your investment with regular asphalt maintenance makes good economic sense. And it makes even better sense to leave this responsibility to a professional sealcoating contractor like AC Paving Northwest, Inc. We can deliver years of beauty and performance with our affordable services. Typically, asphalt maintenance involves fixing cracks, potholes or areas of decay where loose rock or gravel is visible. Hot asphalt (composed of rock, sand, bitumen and tar) is applied to areas requiring repair and is left to cool and completely harden over 24 hours. Count on the professional team at AC Paving to make an accurate assessment of the level of repair required for your asphalt, from fixing minor issues to a full-scale resurfacing, and present the most cost-effective solution.

Sealcoating has a two-fold benefit: crack filling and seal coating using a blacktop sealer restores original black asphalt color while also creating an effective barrier against not only water, but UV Rays (sunlight) and petroleum products which all contribute to asphalt deterioration. Protection from UV rays is important, as sunlight can break down the glue (liquid asphalt) and weakens the surface over time. Asphalt can oxidize and lose its flexibility when not properly sealcoated. While asphalt is designed to handle tremendous weight, unsealed exposed asphalt over time will become brittle and show cracks. Take a pro-active approach to protect your investment.

Take a pro-active step to reduce widespread damage. The biggest cause of asphalt decay is water. Cracks usually start small, a result of the freeze-thaw cycle. Then, as moisture penetrates through these cracks and gets underneath the asphalt layer, it begins to disturb the subgrade layer and can quickly cause significant impact to the affected area.

Filling cracks to extend the life of your asphalt makes good economic sense. However, to ensure quality results that last, professional equipment and expertise is the key. Working with the correct asphalt crack filling equipment and selecting the right method comes with experience. Our asphalt crack repair process involves using wire brooms and blowers to thoroughly clean out the cracks, then they are filled using a hot rubberized crack filler (Durafil) to ensure quality sustainable results.

The cost of leaving asphalt cracks untreated can really add up. For example, as vegetation begins to grow in cracks, roots form under the surface and put additional pressure on the asphalt. What started as one crack may soon be many. Moreover, as cracks become larger and more vulnerable to water penetration, the risk of potholes or soft spots increases significantly.

Are cracks supposed to appear? Small asphalt cracks are a normal part of the aging of asphalt and are sometimes a result of shifts in the earth. Smaller repairs over time are to be expected. However, if you notice widespread cracks appearing over a larger surface, you should call a professional as soon as possible. Numerous cracks lead to soft spots, potholes and other driving hazards.

Pay particular attention to fatigue or “alligator” cracking. This type of cracking, which appears as jagged, cracked patterned lines on the asphalt surface, can begin at the base layer or top layer. Causes are varied, ranging from loss of base or subgrade to asphalt binder aging or simply poor construction.

Another problem which can occur is asphalt stripping. Occasionally the bonding of materials with the asphalt binder itself can be compromised, largely due to moisture issues. This happens as either a top down (raveling) process or bottom up (from sub layer to surface). When asphalt stripping occurs in a deeper layer, asphalt will show distress such as cracking or corrugations. While difficult to see initially, a professional at AC Paving will be able to determine if stripping has occurred, and if so, what steps need to be taken to replace the deteriorating asphalt and correct drainage issues.

If you have any questions regarding our sealcoating services or if you would like to discuss the needs of your upcoming asphalt project, give us a call at 425-888-1700 today.