Asphalt is an economical paving choice that is versatile enough to be used for a wide variety of applications. Asphalt pavements can have surprisingly long lives if they are properly maintained. Proper maintenance also affects the safety and aesthetic appeal of the pavement. Three asphalt maintenance procedures that are of particular value are sealcoating, patching, and striping.
Why Is Sealcoating a Valuable Asphalt Maintenance Procedure?
Most Birmingham asphalt maintenance contractors consider sealcoating to be the most cost-effective method of reducing the lifetime cost of a pavement.
1. Sealcoating blocks the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. UV rays dry out asphalt pavements, robbing them of their flexibility and making them more prone to breakage. Furthermore, UV rays have a bleaching effect on the color of asphalt, turning it an unsightly shade of gray or brown. Sealcoating helps prevent cracking and fading.
2. Automotive fluids are another formidable enemy of asphalt pavements. Virtually all the liquids and lubricants in modern vehicles are petroleum distillates, and so is asphalt. Petroleum distillates interact with each other in a manner that is often mutually destructive. In the case of an asphalt pavement, the automotive fluids will destroy the binding agent that is the glue holding the pavement together. Soft, crumbly spots develop that quickly morph into potholes. Adding sealcoating to your asphalt paving lot maintenance plan buys you more time to clean up vehicle fluids before they can harm your pavement.
3. Sealcoating offers cosmetic benefits as well. It can restore faded asphalt pavements to their original rich color, conceal hairline cracks, and make the surface of the pavement appear more even and smoother.
4. When an asphalt maintenance company prepares a sealcoating mix correctly, the mixture will contain silica sand. Sand in the mix enhances traction on your pavement, making it a safer environment.
What Are the Benefits of Patching as an Asphalt Maintenance Procedure?
Repairing potholes and similar damage may be classified as either asphalt repair or asphalt maintenance in Birmingham. Typically, contractors base their categorization on the size of the patch needed. Either way, asphalt patching is a vital service that can provide the following benefits.
1. Patching a damaged area can prevent water from entering through the break. Once water flows through a pavement opening, gravity will pull it deeper into the structure. The water will eventually reach the foundation, weakening and destabilizing it. Alligator cracking and sinkholes are just a couple of examples of the type of severe damage that can result from an eroded foundation.
2. There are several patching methods that a local asphalt maintenance contractor could use. One of these is known as a full-depth patch, and it is the only method that allows a Birmingham asphalt maintenance contractor to rebuild, strengthen, or repair the foundation beneath the damaged pavement. At the other end of the spectrum lie surface patches, which are typically reserved for shallow damage.
3. Asphalt patches can make your pavement safer. Unrepaired potholes can cause injuries to pedestrians and cyclists, and they can also damage vehicles. Depending on where the potholes are located, your pavement could fail to comply with local and federal statutes, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Why Is Striping an Important Asphalt Maintenance Procedure?
Pavement marking and line striping is one of the most important asphalt paving lot maintenance procedures.
1. Asphalt maintenance companies can help ensure that your striping and marking satisfies the requirements for an ADA-compliant parking lot.
2. Your layout and line striping help you optimize the number of parking spaces you can provide.
3. Striping and marking your parking lot helps you control the flow of traffic, increasing safety and decreasing the likelihood of bottlenecks.
4. Adding striping and marking to your asphalt maintenance in Birmingham can enhance the curb appeal of your property. This can help you attract and retain customers, tenants, or even employees.
The Surface Masters would be happy to answer any additional questions you might have about asphalt maintenance in Birmingham. We are an experienced, well-regarded company with an exemplary reputation for craftsmanship, service, and integrity. Our services include sealcoating, asphalt patching and repairs, pavement markings, crack sealing, asphalt milling, concrete and curbing work, and asphalt paving. To request a free quote, call 770-250-6392, submit our online form, or email Info@TheSurfaceMasters.com.
