Hitting a pothole on the road can be a frustrating experience. Not only are potholes hard on cars, they can also increase the risk of accidents and collisions, create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and leave asphalt surfaces vulnerable to accelerated wear and tear. To keep your asphalt driveway in the best condition possible, it’s helpful to learn a little more about why asphalt develops potholes and how maintenance and asphalt driveway repairs in Philadelphia, PA can protect your pavement.
What causes potholes in the winter?
Potholes are caused by weaknesses in the surface of the asphalt. During the winter months, these weaknesses are the result of weather damage. During the day, rain and snow accumulate on asphalt pavement, seep under the surface of the asphalt and settle in the pavement foundation. Overnight, temperatures dip, and that water freezes and expands, pushing the asphalt on top of this layer of water upwards. Once temperatures rise again, the water melts and leaves an empty space in between your asphalt and the pavement foundation.
When a car or truck drives over this weakened pavement, potholes form as the asphalt is pushed back down toward the foundation. Potholes are made worse by damage and stress from traffic and heavy machinery. As cars and trucks drive over weakened asphalt, the pavement becomes even more worn and damaged. Over time, the combination of extreme weather and stress from vehicles on pavement can result in extensive cracking and severe pothole formation. With that in mind, property owners should take some steps to prevent potholes from forming.
Preventing and repairing potholes
There are several things property owners can do to prevent pothole formation in driveways. One of the best ways to protect pavement is to invest in sealcoating services. Sealcoating adds a strong, resilient layer on top of asphalt pavement that protects it from weather damage and fills in surface cracks and weaknesses. In addition to sealcoating, it’s also important to invest in preventative maintenance. Filling in small cracks and repairing minor potholes can greatly extend the lifespan of your pavement and reduce the need for more extensive repairs down the road.
If you notice lots of cracking or potholes in your pavement, invest in repair services right away. Find a local contractor for asphalt driveway repairs in Philadelphia, PA. An experienced pavement technician will be able to assess your asphalt and make repair and maintenance recommendations as necessary. Pavement contractors can also provide sealcoating services to extend the lifespan of your asphalt and keep it in the best condition possible for years to come.
Asphalt driveway repairs
For professional asphalt driveway repairs, reach out to Philly Concrete & Asphalt Paving, Inc. As a locally owned and operated company, we are committed to the quality of our services and the satisfaction of our customers. We offer concrete and asphalt repair, maintenance, sealcoating and installation services to keep driveways, parking lots and roads in the best condition possible. Find out more about our services and get started with a consultation by giving us a call today.