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Discover Types of Pavement Damage with Paving Plus in Christiansburg, VA

Paving in the Region of Christiansburg, Virginia, Can Be Challenging

It is a good time to take a look at various types of pavement damage. In a previous blog, we reviewed some of the effects that snow, ice, and salt can have on an asphalt pavement. Now that we can look forward to warmer weather, property owners may see various types of pavement damage. Know when it is time to call a professional to keep pavement damage from growing into a bigger problem.

Paving Plus in Christiansburg, Virginia, really knows the region’s roadways. We repair and install residential and commercial asphalt every day. We might even say one of our specialties is knowing all we can about different types of pavement damage. Having this background helps us to provide the right type of repair for each customer.

 

Types of Pavement Damage for Commercial and Municipal Properties

The use of the commercial property has much to do with the types of pavement damage it experiences. The asphalt paving industry calls pavement damage “distress.” So let’s take a look at some of the biggest distress possibilities first.

Business owners have liability for larger stretches of ground. Paved surfaces for commercial and municipal properties are, on average, much larger concerns than a residential property. Side roads or driveways, parking lots, loading or storage areas, and more all require safe accessibility for all.

What are some of the most common types of pavement damage?

“The common types of pavement distresses include cracking; distortion; disintegration; skidding hazards; and surface treatment distresses. Some of the typical causes of pavement deterioration include traffic loading; environment or climate influences; drainage deficiencies; materials quality problems; construction deficiencies; and external contributors, such as utility cuts.” {emphasis added}
Asphalt Magazine

Variety of Asphalt Distresses That Can Cause Pavement Damage

Depending on the size of the property or project, commercial properties could see an assortment of asphalt distresses. Think about heavy traffic, such as large, commercial trucks or tractor-trailers. Asphalt proves to be a strong material in withstanding much of the daily pressure it receives.

The article from Asphalt Magazine we mention above defines seven different types of cracking and five types of distortion. Cracking can occur due to various reasons, which is why it can be so important to have a professional tend to asphalt repairs. Most repairs for commercial asphalt pavement damage do require expertise.

Paved commercial and municipal areas, because of their larger size and added liability, benefit from professional maintenance significantly. Many companies have a dedicated safety team responsible for reporting a variety of maintenance issues.

Smaller paving problems can end up costing much more if loose or damaged paving causes an accident or injury.

 

Residential Pavement Damage Possibilities

Some of the repair work we do for homes and businesses in the area may look similar. However, some of the challenges a homeowner might see can be different than those of a commercial property. Taking a look at your residential pavement, a homeowner may have to weigh appearance as well as cost when deciding what to repair.

Most homeowners may expect to see some change to their pavement over time. When you use something every day, that use can have an effect. The largest type of damage for residential properties can be that of simple neglect. Residential property owners decide to defer keeping strict maintenance of their paved surfaces. This can result in several types of damage.

For example, one primary problem we see is when homeowners choose to park in the same place on their paved surface. Over time, the weight of the vehicle added to shifting material underneath can cause indents or depressions where the wheels sit.

This depression effect can also happen when heavy objects like filled roll-off containers sit stationary for extended periods of time.

 

Proper Residential Pavement Maintenance Can Prevent Problems

Proper maintenance of residential asphalt is especially important in preventing such pavement damage as raveling or patch failures. You may be familiar with seeing the effects of patching over an existing pavement. While patch repairs are effective solutions, they can develop their own set of problems.

The primary form of residential pavement maintenance is timely application of sealant. As we note on our website:

“Regular maintenance is important for asphalt paving – with regular maintenance, your asphalt can last virtually indefinitely. For homeowners, we recommend that you have your asphalt surface re-sealed every two to three years or when the appearance begins to look dry/light grey instead of black.”

Sealant application serves to lock the surface of the asphalt against the regular effects of weather and use. If your residential pavement does have that lighter look, it may be time for a fresh coat of asphalt sealer.

 

Reviewing Problems with Patching Asphalt

Applying patches to portions of the pavement or driveway can also be a cost-effective way to salvage residential asphalt. For example, there can be times when plumbing or utility crews must cut into asphalt to make repairs. Installing an asphalt patch helps maintain the integrity of the paved surface.

However, assorted issues may arise after patching asphalt. Depending on the type of material or the location, the patch itself may not adhere well. Because of the patch failure, additional problems may arise resulting in cracking or disintegration. Another note on patching is that applying multiple patches over time can detract from the curb appeal of the paved surface.

The professionals at Paving Plus appreciate that residential and commercial properties alike desire a welcoming asphalt surface. Customers want safe asphalt paving that will withstand not only the weather but other activities. Paving Plus works diligently to provide residential and commercial customers with asphalt installation and maintenance needed for continued curb appeal.

 

Contact Paving Plus, in Christiansburg, Virginia, at (540) 505-7353. Follow us on Facebook for more on our projects that include correcting various types of pavement damage.