Asphalt’s biggest enemy is water! Protect your asphalt pavement from erosion by ensuring (seal coating maintenance and) proper water flow; in a direction off the pavement and one that doesn’t allow water to pool.

Concrete structures such as flowlines, curbs and gutters help carry water off the pavement. A flowline or gutter that is heavily cracked cannot perform its duty to collect and carry away water from the bordering asphalt. The standing water erodes the surface and contributes to it drying out, cracking, and raveling. Also, leaving cracks in the concrete structures allows water to seep into the subgrade and really weaken it. This effects it’s ability to support the pavement and withstand the pressure of heavy traffic loads. Compromised subgrade leads to severe cracking of the asphalt surface. The worse it is, the more you will see alligator cracking (interconnected cracks) and potholes (severe asphalt failure where asphalt pieces are misplaced). Once concrete has major cracks, it is best to completely remove and replace the sections; there is no effective and aesthetic patch for concrete that will last.

Protect your pavement and subgrade by keeping up with routine seal coating and secured concrete structures for water flow.