Paved surfaces are essential for various applications, from driveways and walkways to commercial parking lots and public roads. Paving problems are inevitable due to factors like weather conditions, traffic load, and substandard materials.
If left unchecked, these issues can lead to significant damage and costly repairs. Fortunately, professional paving contractors possess the expertise and tools necessary to diagnose and fix these problems efficiently.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the most common paving problems and how professional paving contractors resolve them, ensuring the longevity and reliability of your paved surfaces.
Common Paving Problems
1. Cracks
Cracks are among the most common paving problems. They can occur due to various reasons, including temperature fluctuations, heavy traffic, and poor installation.
The primary types of cracks include:
- Hairline Cracks: Small, surface-level cracks that usually don’t penetrate deeply.
- Alligator Cracks: A network of interconnected cracks resembling alligator skin, often indicative of underlying structural issues.
- Longitudinal Cracks: Cracks that run parallel to the pavement’s centerline.
- Transverse Cracks: Cracks that run perpendicular to the pavement’s centerline.
Experienced crack-sealing paving contractors use different methods to fix cracks based on their type and severity:
- Crack Sealing: For minor cracks, contractors apply a hot or cold sealant to prevent water infiltration and further deterioration.
- Crack Filling: This involves filling larger cracks with a durable filler material that provides a temporary fix.
- Patching: For severe cracks, contractors may cut out the affected area and replace it with new asphalt or concrete, ensuring a smooth and seamless surface.
2. Potholes
Potholes are depressions or holes in the pavement caused by a combination of factors that weaken the structure of the pavement over time. Understanding the causes of potholes is essential for effective prevention and repair.
The primary causes of potholes include:
- Water Infiltration: Water is the most significant contributor to pothole formation. When water seeps into the pavement through cracks and joints, it can accumulate in the underlying layers. During colder months, this water can freeze and expand, causing the pavement to rise and crack.
- Freeze-Thaw Cycles: In regions with cold climates, the freeze-thaw cycle is a major cause of potholes. As temperatures fluctuate, water within the pavement repeatedly freezes and thaws.
- Traffic Stress: Heavy traffic loads, particularly from trucks and buses, can accelerate the deterioration of pavement. The repeated pressure from vehicles compacts the pavement and its underlying layers, causing them to weaken and crack.
Fixing potholes requires a thorough understanding of the pavement structure and the right materials. Paving contractors typically follow these steps:
- Cleaning: The pothole is cleaned to remove debris, loose material, and water.
- Cutting: The edges of the pothole are cut to create clean, vertical sides.
- Filling: The hole is filled with a high-quality patching material, such as hot mix asphalt or cold patch.
- Compacting: The material is compacted to ensure it bonds well with the surrounding pavement and provides a smooth, even surface.
3. Drainage Problems
Poor drainage is a significant problem for paved surfaces, compromising their integrity and longevity. Effective drainage systems prevent water accumulation on or under the pavement.
Here are the detailed signs of drainage issues and their impacts:
- Standing Water: Water pools on the pavement surface due to insufficient slope, blocked drainage channels, or inadequate drainage systems. It often leads to hydroplaning hazards for vehicles, weakens pavement material, and can seep into pavement layers, causing structural damage.
- Water Stains: Marks left on the pavement after the water evaporates, indicating areas where water frequently pools. It shows where drainage improvements are needed, leading to erosion and material breakdown, potentially causing potholes and cracks.
- Erosion: Grooves, channels, or washed-out areas on or alongside the pavement caused by water flow. It weakens the pavement foundation, making it susceptible to collapse and uneven surfaces, and affects the surrounding landscape.
- Vegetation Growth: Unwanted plants grow in pavement cracks and joints due to excessive moisture. This no doubt worsens pavement deterioration by widening cracks and creating more entry points for water, with roots causing upheaval and further damage.
- Moss and Algae: Green growth on the pavement surface in damp, shaded areas where water accumulates. Moss makes the pavement surface slippery, posing safety hazards, and indicates prolonged moisture exposure, weakening pavement material.
Effective drainage solutions are crucial for maintaining the integrity of paved surfaces. Contractors use various methods to address drainage issues:
- Installing Drains: Surface or subsurface drains are installed to direct water away from the pavement.
- Regarding: The pavement surface is regraded to ensure proper slope and water runoff.
- Permeable Paving: Using permeable materials allows water to pass through the pavement, reducing surface water accumulation.
Also Read: Blacktop Vs. Asphalt: Choosing The Right Paving Material
4. Rutting
Rutting is a common issue that affects paved surfaces, particularly those that experience heavy traffic. It manifests as depressions or grooves in the wheel paths, which can compromise the pavement’s safety and comfort.
Here are the detailed causes of rutting:
- Heavy Traffic Loads: One of the primary causes of rutting is the repeated application of heavy traffic loads. This is especially true for roads and highways that accommodate large trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles.
- Insufficient Pavement Thickness: Another significant cause of rutting is insufficient pavement thickness. When the pavement layers are not thick enough to support the expected traffic loads, they are more likely to deform under pressure.
- Weak Subgrade: The subgrade, or the soil layer beneath the pavement, plays a crucial role in supporting the pavement structure. A weak or poorly compacted subgrade can lead to rutting.
- Poor Quality Materials: The quality of the materials used in the pavement’s construction also affects its ability to resist rutting. Using substandard materials can compromise the pavement’s durability.
- Inadequate Compaction: Proper compaction of the pavement layers is essential for ensuring their strength and stability. Inadequate compaction during construction can result in rutting. When pavement layers are not compacted sufficiently, they have more voids and are less dense.
- Environmental Factors: Environmental conditions, such as temperature variations and moisture levels, can also contribute to rutting. Extreme weather conditions can exacerbate the problem.
- Poor Drainage: Effective drainage systems are essential for maintaining the integrity of the pavement. Poor drainage can lead to water accumulation, which weakens the pavement structure.
Paving contractors address rutting by:
- Overlaying: Adding a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement to restore a smooth surface.
- Milling: Removing the top layer of the pavement and replacing it with new material to eliminate ruts.
5. Raveling
Ravelling is the progressive loss of aggregate from the pavement surface, leading to a rough and uneven texture. This issue can arise due to several factors:
- Weathering: Over time, exposure to the elements, such as sunlight, rain, and temperature fluctuations, can degrade the binding materials in the pavement, causing the aggregate to loosen and detach.
- Poor Compaction: If the pavement layers are not compacted adequately during the construction phase, the bond between the aggregates and the binder is weak, leading to ravelling under traffic loads.
- Low-Quality Materials: Using inferior-quality materials, whether the binder or the aggregate, can result in a pavement surface that is more susceptible to wear and tear, accelerating the ravelling process.
To address ravelling, professional paving contractors employ several effective techniques:
- Seal Coating: This involves applying a protective seal coat over the pavement surface. The seal coat helps to bind loose aggregates, protect the surface from further weathering, and extend the pavement’s lifespan.
- Repaving: For more severe cases of ravelling, contractors may opt to remove the damaged surface layer entirely and replace it with new asphalt or concrete. This ensures a fresh, strong surface that can withstand traffic and environmental conditions.
6. Frost Heave
Frost heave is a phenomenon where the pavement rises and cracks due to the expansion of water in the sub-base as it freezes. Key causes include:
- Water Infiltration: Water can seep into the pavement’s sub-base through cracks and joints. During cold weather, this water freezes and expands, pushing the pavement upwards and causing cracks.
- Inadequate Drainage: Poor drainage systems allow water to accumulate beneath the pavement, increasing the risk of frost heave as the water freezes and thaws.
Addressing frost heave involves both preventative measures and repair techniques:
- Improving Sub-base: Ensuring proper drainage is critical. Contractors may install drainage systems to direct water away from the pavement. Additionally, using frost-resistant materials in the sub-base helps to prevent water from accumulating and freezing.
- Repairing Damage: For pavements already affected by frost heave, contractors will remove and replace the damaged sections. This process involves excavating the heaved pavement, fixing the sub-base issues, and then laying down new pavement to restore a smooth and level surface.
The Importance Of Professional Paving Contractors
Professional paving contractors have a wealth of knowledge and experience. Their expertise ensures that paving problems are not only fixed but also prevented through proper installation and maintenance practices.
Key benefits of hiring professional paving contractors include:
- Quality Materials: Professionals use high-quality materials that enhance the durability and longevity of paved surfaces.
- Advanced Equipment: Contractors have access to specialized equipment that ensures efficient and precise repairs.
- Expertise: With years of experience, professionals can accurately diagnose problems and implement effective solutions.
- Preventative Maintenance: Contractors offer maintenance services that help prevent common issues, saving you money in the long run.
How Kingsway Paving Can Help?
Kingsway Paving is a leading paving contractor in British Columbia, specializing in residential and commercial paving solutions. Learn more about us as our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to delivering high-quality workmanship and exceptional customer service.
With a focus on innovation and sustainability, we use the latest techniques and materials to ensure durable and aesthetically pleasing results. Ready to tackle your paving problems? Contact Kingsway Paving today for expert solutions tailored to your needs.
