If there is one thing everyone can agree on it’s that
potholes are a pain – you will never complain about potholes and have someone
disagree with you. Aside from that though, most people don’t know a lot about
how potholes are formed and even less about how to properly repair them. Here
is some basic information on the nemesis of drivers from Canada to Florida.
Causes
Potholes are caused by weather, age, water, and disruption from vehicles. All of these factors work on the road surface to create cracks that, grow larger over time. No matter how your road is constructed, potholes can form. The four main causes of potholes can be summarized as follows:
Inadequate drainage
Thin pavement that doesn’t support vehicle
traffic at certain times of the year
Failure at man-holes and trenches
Delayed maintenance that results in cracks and
moisture entering the base layer of the road
The more time between the first cracks appearing and
preventative maintenance being performed, the bigger the pothole. Truly
impressive potholes represent a failure on the part of a business owner or the
agency responsible for repairs.
Fixes
The key to preventing potholes is catching them in their
early stages. Asphalt repair by a professional paving company will be less
expensive and take less time than repairing a fully-formed pothole. Sealcoating
can play a role in preventing potholes by strengthening the surface of the
asphalt with a layer of coal-tar pitch or asphalt cement.
Once a large pothole forms, the hole must be filled with
suitable materials and resurfaced. This involves bringing in heavy equipment
and often shutting down a parking lot for a day or more.
For asphalt resurfacing, sealcoating, pothole repair, overlays, and striping, contact Azzarelli Paving in Florida. We have been operating in the Tampa area for over 30 years, working to eradicate potholes and produce clean asphalt parking lots for businesses. Call or email us today!
While, in general, most seek out Tampa’s weather for a
vacation getaway, with bright sunshine and warm days, the extent at which the
outside conditions can reach may cause some problems, instead of relaxation.
Summer weather in Tampa can raise the temperatures to remain in the nineties
and above. Sunny days can lead to intense light rays. The rainy season can
result in hard downpours with a great deal of water left on the ground. These
are just a few ways that Tampa weather can become more extreme, which leads to
asphalt damage.
How Heat Damages
Asphalt
When the summer days make the air much hotter, it causes the
exposed asphalt on the surface to expand. Meanwhile, the lower layers of
asphalt remain cooler, keeping contracted. This change in shape and difference
in layers can cause cracking and fractures.
How Sunlight Damages
Asphalt
UV rays cause a number of issues. Just as a brightly colored
object would become bleached in the sunlight, asphalt fades over time under the
sun. These rays also lead to deterioration in the structure, as well, weakening
the surface, warping it and creating soft spots.
How Rain Damages
Asphalt
While water from anything can lead to damage, the amount of
rain in Tampa reaches levels that are damaging on its own. Since asphalt is
porous, water can seep through the surface and into lower layers. Water erodes
away at the material, breaking it down and causing cracks.
How to Protect Your
Asphalt
Regular maintenance is key to ensuring that your asphalt is
protected from the damaging qualities of Tampa’s weather. An immediate fix can
include patching of specific areas where cracks or holes have appeared. Asphalt
overlay can also be done to resurface your asphalt, keeping the surface from
deteriorating further and protecting lower layers. Regularly sealing the
surface can also add extra protection to already intact asphalt. If you would
like to keep your asphalt looking new and remaining strong, contact Azzarelli Paving at 813-313-4579
or email us at info@azzpsd.com for a free
estimate on repairs and treatment.
