According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, there’s an average of 2.6 million miles of paved roads in the US, and over 94% of these miles are surfaced with asphalt. In addition, asphalt is the material of choice for property owners who want to install parking lots and driveways. So, it’s safe to say asphalt surfaces are all around us. Unfortunately, it’s impossible for people to continually walk over, drive over, or over it without proper maintenance. That’s because asphalt surfaces are prone to crack and show other signs of damage if they are not regularly maintained. Let’s dive into more reasons why asphalt road maintenance is important and why you may need to hire commercial paving contractors.
Poor Asphalt Maintenance Results In High Costs
If you have been postponing asphalt maintenance, it might seem like you are saving a lot by not hiring professional commercial paving contractors. But eventually, your asphalt will require extensive repairs due to normal wear and tear and exposure to harsh weather and environmental pollution. Asphalt can suffer from all kinds of damage, including cracking, depressions, swelling, and disintegration. Most of the cracks that you see in damaged asphalt are caused by overloading, while others are caused by changes in temperature. If your asphalt is cracking from fatigue, it will begin to develop “alligator skin.” Similarly, if you notice large rectangular cracks on asphalt, it’s probably a result of constant temperature changes.
Asphalt surfaces will quickly deteriorate without timely repairs and other pavement preservation procedures. A common type of asphalt repair is patching, which is a cost-effective solution for repairing small potholes and other damaged areas. Asphalt resurfacing becomes necessary to keep your asphalt functional and aesthetically pleasing if there’s extensive damage to larger areas. If these repairs are not enough, then you will have to opt for asphalt removal and replacement. This requires a larger investment, but it gives you long-lasting results. The bottom line is if you don’t contact commercial paving contractors sooner, you’ll have to contact them later, but at this point, you will also have to pay for the cost of neglect once there’s extensive damage.
Proper Maintenance Keeps Asphalt Surfaces In Good Condition
Many benefits come with proper asphalt maintenance, and the top benefit is that it keeps your asphalt in the best possible condition possible. As a property owner, you’ll certainly appreciate how this results in more curb appeal that creates a good first impression with visitors and passersby. In contrast, asphalt surfaces with ugly potholes and cracks don’t look very inviting.
But keeping asphalt in good condition is just about aesthetics. You also have to consider how poor maintenance can increase the safety risks of asphalt surfaces. Continued deterioration of asphalt surfaces results in unevenness which increases the risk of falls, accidents, injuries, and damage to vehicles. Not only that, but uneven and damaged pavement is not comfortable to walk on, park on, or drive on. All your asphalt surfaces should be smooth and even as a standard, and this can be achieved with proper maintenance even in high-traffic areas. What’s more, and as mentioned, it’s more cost-effective than waiting until potholes become more noticeable. If you wait, it means you may have to replace your asphalt earlier, but if the asphalt surface is maintained and protected, you will be helping to preserve its lifespan. This is worthwhile because it saves you time and money.
Who Can Help With Asphalt Maintenance?
If you want to keep your asphalt in good shape with proper maintenance, it’s best to contact commercial paving contractors. There are many advantages to choosing a professional to do asphalt maintenance for you. Hiring experienced commercial paving contractors means you can trust that they will deliver quality workmanship and give your asphalt surfaces the attention they deserve.
The professionals will identify problems and risks with your asphalt and suggest effective maintenance solutions. This can save plenty of time in the long run. The good news is, commercial paving contractors can solve a wide range of problems for you due to the versatility of asphalt. Whether you need contractors to work on your walkway, tennis court, driveway, or some other outdoor project, they will perform routine maintenance that keeps your asphalt surfaces looking as close to their original condition as possible.
Asphalt maintenance is necessary to keep pavement and road surfaces in great condition. In turn, commercial paving contractors are the right people for the job if you want to keep minor asphalt repair issues from becoming major issues. For more information, contact Ford Asphalt Company today!