Deciding Whether An Asphalt Pavement Needs To Be Resurfaced Or Repaved

One of the amazing things about asphalt pavements is that they are easy to install and provide an amazing surface to pass on, regardless of the weather. However, for your asphalt pavement to serve you for a long time, you need to ensure that it is properly maintained at all times. With time, and even with the best maintenance, the damages on the pavement may be too much to be repaired, and that is when you have to decide whether to resurface or replace the pavement. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace the pavement.

Check the Extent of the Damage

One of the most important considerations to make when deciding whether you should repave an asphalt driveway is assessing the degree of damage on your current driveway. If the potholes, cracks and other weaknesses cover more than 25 percent of the pavement, resurfacing it will be better than making repairs. At the same time, if the few potholes the pavement has are too deep and have formed within a short time after the paving was done, it could be an indication that the contractor did not follow the right procedure when installing the asphalt the first time. In such a case, resurfacing while following the right process is recommended. 

Assess the Extent of Cracking

The other weakness which you should use to decide if the asphalt can be repaired or it needs replacement is the presence of cracks. Cracks are a common weakness on asphalt surfaces, and they range from hairline to deep gullies. When you are in a colder climate, the freeze and thaw cycles can completely ruin your asphalt surfaces because water penetrates through the cracks and ruins everything beneath the surface.

Check the Condition of the Base Layers

The condition of the base layers is the main determiner of whether to resurface or tear down the pavement and install it again. If the base layers are still in excellent condition, you just need to resurface the top layer, as it is the only one with weaknesses. On the other hand, if the base layers also have damage, you might be forced to tear down the concrete surface and re-install it.

It is advisable to have an asphalt installation contractor handling the inspection of the current driveway. They have the right experience to make a call on whether to resurface the pave it afresh. 

For more details and tips, reach out to an asphalt repair service near you. 


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