If your Houston property features asphalt pavement such as an access road or a parking lot, it is important to have an asphalt maintenance solution to protect your investment. In Houston, the elements and heavy traffic combine to wear down pavement. Without a reliable maintenance plan in place, your asphalt is more likely to fail early and in ways that necessitate more expensive repairs.
Investing in on-time asphalt maintenance will save you a lot of money on long-term replacement costs.
Three Reasons it is Important to Have an Asphalt Maintenance Solution in Houston
Asphalt paving can provide more than a decade of reliable performance when it is well-maintained. As a flexible form of pavement, asphalt is generally easier to maintain than rigid pavement like concrete. Here are three benefits of investing in on-time asphalt maintenance:
- Maintenance improves the asphalt’s wear and weather resistance – The number one reason for on-time asphalt maintenance is protection. Every round of asphalt maintenance enhances the pavement’s resistance to wear and tear from heavy vehicle traffic or inclement weather.
For example, asphalt sealcoating provides a wax-like top layer that acts like a weather barrier that keeps water out of the asphalt, which is essential in a wet climate like Houston’s. Regular maintenance can also protect against minor impact or abrasion-related damage, which can slow the development of cracks, potholes and other obvious pavement flaws. - Maintenance minimizes the risk of major asphalt failures – When asphalt pavement fails, it does so slowly at first, and then rapidly as those small issues progress into major problems. However, if you have an asphalt maintenance solution in place, this progression can be greatly slowed or halted, essentially reducing the risk of the pavement failing due to undetected, progressive issues. For example, filling in asphalt cracks as they develop will minimize the likelihood of water penetrating the surface and causing base instabilities or potholes.
- Maintenance boosts the asphalt’s aesthetics and curb appeal – Your asphalt’s appearance may not strike you as an important consideration, but people will notice the pavement’s condition and may judge your business because of it. People respond favorably to new asphalt and are also more likely to consider the property well-maintained overall if the asphalt is in good condition. Further, fresh asphalt also helps the rest of the property appear newer, which can make the difference when trying to attract tenants or customers.
What Does an Asphalt Maintenance Solution in Houston Include?
Effective asphalt maintenance is regular asphalt maintenance, and for the most part, there is a well-defined maintenance schedule for asphalt paving. That schedule includes:
- Asphalt sealcoating (every 18-24 months) – During a round of asphalt sealcoating, an asphalt emulsion is either spray-applied or broomed across the pavement’s surface, where it cures and forms a protective barrier. For months following application, the sealcoat will help keep out water and debris and restore the pavement’s surface texture.
- Asphalt crack repair (as needed, potentially early in the pavement’s life) – Asphalt crack repair can be performed quickly and effectively by an experienced pavement crew. It is only required when cracks emerge and become apparent, but those cracks should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
During asphalt crack repair, your Houston pavement contractor will use melted rubberized asphalt to fill in any cracks. This filler will flex with the asphalt when exposed to thermal loads, so the seal is preserved.
- Asphalt pothole repair (as needed, typically after the pavement has developed wear) – Like with asphalt crack repair, pothole repairs are only required when a pothole actually appears. It is extremely important to have a timely maintenance solution in place for potholes as they are a clear sign that your asphalt is under distress. If unaddressed, potholes will extend deeper into the pavement and spread, eventually resulting in total pavement failure.
Asphalt pothole repairs are typically done by extracting any failed spots of pavement, stabilizing the underlying base and rolling new hot asphalt mix into the patch.
- Asphalt overlaying (once the asphalt reaches middle age, about 5-10 years) – Sealcoating and spot repairs should be sufficient to protect your pavement during the first half of its life, but after several years, your asphalt will likely need a more involved maintenance solution.
Specifically, this usually means a surface course of treatment like an overlay. During an asphalt overlay, the top 2-3 inches of existing pavement is milled down to expose the still-intact deeper pavement layers. If any weaknesses are identified in the asphalt’s base, they are corrected during this time. Following any spot fixes, a tack coat is applied to the existing pavement and a new surface course of asphalt is rolled out and cured.
An asphalt overlay turns back the clock on the pavement’s surface, restoring it close to its original condition. A well-timed asphalt overlay can extend the life of your asphalt by several years, which is well worth the investment for Houston property owners.
Experienced pavement contractors can offer an expanded array of asphalt maintenance services, including additional surface treatments like chip sealing. The above maintenance services are recommended the most often in Houston.
Work with a Reputable Pavement Contractor for an Asphalt Maintenance Solution in Houston
Cut-rate asphalt installation services are a liability for property owners as they eventually lead to early pavement failure, and cut-rate asphalt maintenance services pose the same risk to property owners.
That is a risk worth avoiding, as early asphalt failure will cost your organization thousands in replacement costs. To ensure you are getting maximum value from your asphalt maintenance services, you will need an expert pavement contractor handling the job.
Experienced pavement crews rely on best practices when maintaining asphalt, have expanded access to machinery and manpower, rely on high quality pavement materials and prioritize attention to detail. It takes all of the above to provide effective asphalt maintenance solutions and to maximize the value of any asphalt paving.
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