When it comes to asphalt, there are some elements to be aware of, as they quickly turn against your pavement. These elements effect the strength, durability, and longevity of your pavement. Even if you use the highest quality materials and the best professionals in the world, it is only a matter of time before these elements begin to take hold. Read on to learn more about the biggest enemies of your asphalt pavement.

Surface Water

No matter the source of the water, be it rain, irrigation sprinklers, or anything else, standing water on your asphalt will cause problems. If homeowners leave water standing, it breaks down the asphalt. As it breaks down, cracks and breaks form. Those weakened spots eventually become potholes.

Sunlight

If you have ever had outdoor furniture, you know how quickly they begin to fade in color. Not only that but they also dry out and begin to crack. This is due to exposure to ultraviolet rays. The same process happens with asphalt. Sunlight dries out and breaks down the tar in asphalt over time, leaving behind cracks and weak spots. Left alone this will eventually dry out entirely turning your pavement into nothing but gravel.

Heavy Trucks and Vehicles

If you have ever driven on roadways that have patterns of puckers and divots, you know what an annoyance it can be. These divots are most often caused by heavy vehicles, in particular tractor trailers, driving over the surface. Asphalt is designed to be able to withstand great weight, but there is only so much it can take. And repeated exposure to this weight causes the asphalt to flex beyond what it can take, thus leading to cracks and ruts in the surface.

Fuel and Oil

Motor oil is one of the biggest enemies of asphalt paving, as sealcoating laid over top of it cannot stick, so you lose a valuable layer of protection wherever the motor oil is allowed to remain. In addition, the motor oil itself breaks down the asphalt leading to cracks in the pavement. The longer motor oil and fuel are left on the surface, the higher the cost of repairs becomes.

Tree Roots

Nature is a very strong entity, and it has a very strong will to survive. Tree roots in particular will do whatever they need to do to seek out water. Putting pavement down over the top of the roots means that water has a harder time penetrating the ground. Tree roots, which can spread as far as 70 feet from the base of the tree, will begin to push their way closer and closer to the surface to try to find any water it can. This means your pavement will begin to crack from underneath.

So what can you do to protect your asphalt pavement from these enemies? Contact Hicks APC today to discuss your maintenance needs. From sealcoating to patching and everything else you could need, we are here to help you keep your pavement looking and feeling its best.