Although the Austin area does not endure the brutal winters that are common in many other parts of the nation, the winter months can still inflict damage on your asphalt pavement. On average, the temperature falls below freezing almost 20 nights each year, and the resulting ground heave can cause or exacerbate cracks in asphalt pavement, especially if there is any water trapped beneath the pavement. Unfortunately, many people assume that it is best to wait until the summer months to have a contractor handle their asphalt crack repair needs. The problem with delaying the work is that spring weather can worsen the damage and lead to costlier repairs.
Why Asphalt Crack Sealing Is Key Before Spring
What Problems Can Spring Weather Cause for Asphalt Paving?
Asphalt paving is very durable, but it is not entirely impervious to the elements. When paving companies install new pavement, they must first construct a strong, well-compacted, stable foundation to support the weight of the pavement as well as the traffic that will be using it.
1. If there are cracks in the pavement that are open to the elements, rain will filter through those cracks. Upon reaching the foundation, the water will pluck out pieces of the materials comprising the foundation. This destabilizes the foundation, making it too weak to provide the necessary support. The pavement can develop depressions, potholes, and alligator cracking. A damaged foundation can be costly and time-consuming to repair.
2. The Austin area receives more than 34 inches of rain in a typical year. However, although the rain is distributed over all 12 months, May and June are usually the wettest months. On average, these two months account for more than 25 percent of the annual rainfall; May alone receives almost 13 percent of the yearly average. Therefore, while July is usually the driest month of the year, by that time, your pavement’s foundation could be severely compromised.
3. Asphalt crack repair is economical and fast. You can save a significant amount of money by choosing to repair cracks in your pavement before the spring rains can make the damage worse. Furthermore, your customers and employees will face less disruption and inconvenience.
4. Not all cracks are the same. Reflective cracks are those that result when a joint or existing crack in the underlying pavement reflects upward. Block cracks are those that intersect to form patterns of almost perfect squares. Longitudinal cracks are those found at joints where two pavement mats are adjacent to each other. Slippage cracks commonly appear in the shape of a crescent. Edge cracks run parallel to the edge of the pavement and are typically no more than 18 inches from the edge. However, regardless of the type, every crack is a potential access point for rain. Fortunately, asphalt crack sealing is sufficient for virtually all types of cracks.
If you need to get your pavement ready for the spring, contact the professionals at Alpha Paving for your asphalt repairs. We are a leading asphalt company providing a full range of services, including crack sealing, pothole repairs, sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt resurfacing and paving, road construction, asphalt milling, street maintenance, parking lot signs and thermoplastic pavement markings. We also offer an extensive range of concrete services. Our customers are airports, municipalities and counties, subdivisions, homeowner associations, religious institutions, hotels, hospitals, and health care facilities, property management firms, retailers, apartment complexes, shopping centers, educational facilities, and office parks. Our reputation is exemplary, our references are impeccable, and the quality of our work is exceptional. To request a free quote, just call 512-677-9001 or complete the online form.