The general impression that most people have of asphalt is that it is tough as nails, but the reality is actually quite different. Asphalt is very strong, but it will only stay that when it is properly maintained. This typically means having the pavement resurfaced every few years and having asphalt paving repair in Brandford, CT as soon as it is required.
Asphalt damage usually starts small, but it becomes a major issue very rapidly. One of the most common types of asphalt damage is gravel separation. Over time, the binder in the asphalt will start to deteriorate. This happens due to constant exposure to the elements, and the only way to guard against it is to have a high-quality asphalt sealant applied to the pavement. When small amounts of gravel sit atop the asphalt, they have worked their way free due to damage, and the damage must be addressed quickly. In many cases, a new sealant is the only thing needed to correct a minor issue.
When the pavement has cracks, whether major or minor, a hot asphalt injection is usually required. This injection will insert new asphalt in the area where the cracks exist, making the pavement smooth once again. After injection of the new asphalt, a sealant is usually applied. For very large cracks, especially cracks that appear in a pattern, a resurfacing may be needed. In an asphalt resurfacing, the damaged portion of the pavement is completely removed and replaced with new asphalt. Several layers of asphalt may need to be removed to fully address the problem, so this type of resurfacing is a major installation. It may take several days of drying time for the asphalt to be ready for traffic again.
Some asphalt cracks happen because of weather rather than traffic. In the hot months, the sun can quickly start to erode the asphalt sealant. This will cause the asphalt to first lighten in color and then start to crack in very fine lines. This type of damage is often called crocodile cracking or alligator cracking. It can be resolved with single layer resurfacing in many cases.
