Although asphalt pavements can display remarkable longevity, they are not impervious to every source of potential damage. Water infiltration, car fires, overloading, and vehicle fluids are all possible sources of damage. Furthermore, damage from these sources is often beyond the ability of an asphalt sealant or crack repair to remedy. In those instances, the service you need is an asphalt repair.
What Is an Asphalt Repair?
Like many procedures, asphalt repair companies across the nation often vary a bit when categorizing services. However, most asphalt companies in Houston define a repair as a restoration procedure to mend a damaged area of pavement. Occasionally, a Houston asphalt repair company will be asked to provide access to underground utility lines, then repair the pavement. The most common type of repair performed by asphalt companies in Houston is an asphalt patch.What Is an Asphalt Patch?
There are three basic patching techniques that a Houston asphalt repair company can use.- A full-depth asphalt patch is the longest-lasting of the three types of patches. To perform a full-depth patch, an asphalt repair company starts by marking off a square or rectangle that is slightly larger than the damaged area. The full depth of the asphalt is then removed, typically with a saw. This exposes the foundation, which allows a Houston asphalt repair company to address any issues that may have contributed to or caused the damage. To complete a full-depth asphalt repair in Houston, contractors install and compact fresh asphalt to replace what they removed. The new asphalt will extend onto the adjacent pavement to ensure that the patch is properly sealed.
- A partial-depth asphalt patch is almost identical to a full-depth patch. However, there is one major difference: asphalt repair companies do not usually remove the entire thickness of the pavement. Therefore, they cannot perform any work on the underlying foundation.
- A surface patch, also known as a skin patch, does not require an asphalt repair company to remove any of the existing pavement. Surface patches are normally used to repair superficial damage. Skin patches are the least expensive of the three patching methods used by asphalt repair companies. However, surface patches are usually considered a temporary method of asphalt repair in Houston, so they may need to be replaced periodically.
What Types of Damage Might Require an Asphalt Repair?
Water is one of the most formidable enemies of asphalt pavements in Houston. In fact, water infiltration is the leading source of damage that requires a Houston asphalt repair.- Potholes: Potholes are one of the most common reasons for requesting the services of Houston asphalt repair companies. In some cases, a neglected crack can spawn a shallow pothole that an asphalt repair company can fix with a partial-depth patch. However, deep potholes almost always indicate that the structural integrity of the foundation has been compromised, usually by water penetration.
- Alligator Cracking: Alligator cracking earned its name because the network of interconnected cracks resembles a reptile’s scales. Filling or sealing these types of cracks will be ineffective. Like deep potholes, alligator cracking often indicates structural damage to the foundation. As such, a full-depth asphalt patch is typically the most cost-effective method offered by Houston asphalt repair companies.
- Birdbaths: Birdbaths are shallow depressions that allow water to collect within them. Puddles of water should never be allowed to remain on a pavement because it increases the risk of water infiltration. Houston asphalt repair companies often apply skin patches to eliminate birdbaths.
- Miscellaneous: Depending on the extent of the damage and other factors, a Houston asphalt repair can correct a variety of issues. Damage from car fires, small areas of rutting, and edge raveling are a few potential candidates for an asphalt repair in Houston.
