When paving your driveway or parking lot, asphalt is a leading choice for both home and business owners who need a long-lasting, affordable material that looks clean and presentable when finished. However, even this hard-wearing material is subject to damage and wear from the elements and regular pressure from tires and feet. Here are a few of the most common forms of damage you can expect to see on asphalt surfaces.

What Asphalt Defects and Damage Should You Know About?

1. Potholes

A pothole is any area where a crack has formed, gradually widened, and lost material to form a bowl-shaped hole in the ground. It usually forms due to moisture penetrating small cracks, weakening the soil below, and leaving the asphalt surface more vulnerable to pressure from passing vehicles and pedestrians. A paving specialist can patch a pothole, but because the substrate has been weakened, the area will continue to break down and eventually need to be repaved.

2. Alligator Cracking

Alligator cracking is the most widespread form of cracking in asphalt. It's named for its resemblance to an alligator’s skin and made up of a large number of small cracks in a grid-like pattern. In general, it results from improper installation, poor drainage, or a weak substrate that leaves the paved surface under-supported.

If detected and addressed quickly enough, it’s possible to use a full-depth patch to repair alligator cracking. However, because it indicates deeper structural problems affecting the stability of the surface, it may be more cost-effective to replace the pavement completely.

3. Rutting

Ruts are smooth, long depressions in asphalt which resemble ditches or ravines and formed when vehicles cause the asphalt to compact. This is typically due to pavement which was spread too thin or made from a weak admixture, an improperly prepared foundation, or moisture damage. Luckily, a rut which is stable and solid can be filled in to create a level surface. If the damage is severe or the asphalt unstable, it should be stripped and replaced.

If your asphalt parking lot or driveway needs to be repaired, get in touch with Beausoleil & Sons Construction Inc. in Cranston, RI. In business for over 50 years, this family-owned and -operated company is proud to offer a full range of paving and asphalt repair and maintenance services to clients throughout Rhode Island, southern Connecticut, and northern Massachusetts. Call them at (401) 632-0203 to discuss your needs.