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Asphalt Maintenance and Sweeping
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What is asphalt?
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Asphalt pavement is a mixture of sand, gravel and coarse rock blended with asphaltic oil which binds the material together. The asphalt is rolled and compacted over a specially prepared subbase. The asphalt layer on top actually has little strength--it is the subbase that actually supports the weight of vehicles driving over the road.
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What destroys your Asphalt?
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You may think your pavement looks hard and tough and will last forever, right? Well...not exactly! Pavement is constantly under attack from above and below.
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1. Surface Abrasives
Ultraviolet rays in sunlight dry out the oil in the asphalt causing fine sand to shed out of the pavement. Sand and gravel is blown in by the wind, tracked in by tires, or washed in by rain. Any sand, mud or gravel on the surface of your pavement becomes abrasives that wear out your pavement.
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How does loose gravel wear out your pavement? 
When tires drive over the dirty surface, the abrasives are ground into your asphalt like sandpaper causing it to erode and shed more sand and rock onto the surface. This is called "raveling" and can lead to cracks, "aligatoring" and potholes in your parking lot.
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2. Vegetation:
Landscaping that sheds lots of leaves and vegetation which accumulates on the pavement can destroy asphalt.
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How does vegetation destroy asphalt?
When leaves are moistened by rain or sprinklers, they decompose and release acids that break down the oils in the asphalt and deteriorate it.
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 3. Water:
Flowing water over a pavement surface can erode it. When water seeps down into a crack, it creates a soft spot in the subbase. When tires drive over the soft spot it causes more cracking and will quickly lead to a pothole. |
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What can you do to Preserve your Asphalt?
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Start a sweeping maintenance program today.
Regular sweeping will:
- Remove loose sand, gravel & vegetation
- Prolong your pavement's life
- Save you money on pavement repairs
- Keep your parking lot safe
- Keep your property looking beautiful.
We will be happy to give you a quote for a sweeping schedule that works best for your property.
If your asphalt is worn, "alligatored", potholed and needs repair, consult a pavement professional about sealcoating or cracksealing. |
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