Alligator Crack Asphalt Repair - Houston, TX Asphalt Repair

Can Alligator Crack Asphalt Repair Be A Good ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Project?

For many property owners and managers, finding ways to save money through DIY maintenance and care is a top priority. You can do a lot in-house to keep your pavement in excellent condition. However, there are many services you should leave to the experts. One example is alligator crack asphalt repair. Successful Houston asphalt repair repair requires specialized skills. While you could provide temporary fixes, DIY repairs rarely last. Even worse, they can cause more harm than good. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Alligator Crack Asphalt Repair?

Alligator cracks commonly plague parking lots, driveways, and other paved surfaces. The issue gets its name from its unique appearance. Interconnected cracks can develop in high-traffic areas, creating a surface texture that resembles alligator scales.

There are many reasons why alligator cracks develop, but the common denominator is sub-base damage. When this Houston asphalt repair issue occurs, your pavement loses considerable support below the surface. Foundational damage is causing the surface to buckle, creating the signature cracks.

When alligator cracking appears, you need to address it as soon as possible. Without asphalt repair in Houston, the problem will worsen. Water can seep into those cracks to continue wreaking havoc on the sub-base, increasing the risk of pothole formation. The cracking can spread wider and wider, putting your pavement’s larger structural integrity at risk. Hire a company with experience performing asphalt crack repair to save your pavement.

How Do Contractors Address This Damage with Asphalt Repair in Houston?

It’s important to remember that alligator cracking isn’t the same as standard cracking. With normal voids, contractors can use an asphalt crack sealer. High-quality asphalt crack sealer or filler will prevent voids from worsening while keeping water out. However, alligator cracks indicate you’re dealing with much bigger asphalt repair issues. Standard asphalt crack repair techniques won’t do. While more extensive work will increase total asphalt repair costs, it’s the only way to address alligator cracking.

The go-to asphalt crack repair method for alligator cracking is a full patch. Contractors must cut out the affected area, remove the damaged material, and gain access to the foundation. Correcting alligator cracking requires contractors to repair the foundation. That could include rebuilding the sub-base with new material before compacting it to restore the pavement’s load-bearing capacity. After fixing the foundation damage, asphalt repair contractors will bring in new hot material to fill the area and complete the patch.

What Are the Risks of DIY Alligator Crack Asphalt Repair?

While many assume they can save on asphalt repair costs by taking a DIY approach, that’s rarely the reality. As you can see from our asphalt repair description above, the job is more complicated than it looks. It takes more than applying asphalt crack sealer. You must go down to the foundation; most people don’t have the tools to do so.

Furthermore, exposing the foundation can increase the risk of other headaches. Contractors know how to perform foundation repairs while limiting the risk of additional water intrusion. Attempting to DIY this Houston asphalt repair can lead to further damage, costing you even more in the long run.

Patch materials are available, and some try to use them to reduce total asphalt repair cost. However, simply applying a patch to the damaged area won’t fix the problem. The alligator cracking will worsen, causing the patch to shift. Patching over the damage is temporary at best.

Why take the risk of further damage? Protect your investment with professional asphalt repair in Houston from Pavement Services. We offer many services to meet your needs, including new paving, asphalt repair, parking lot reclamation, sealcoating, cement stabilization, concrete paving, and more. No matter your needs, you can trust us to deliver. We have over three decades of experience serving clients. We bring that experience to every project, allowing us to develop solutions that make a difference.

Call Pavement Services today at (713)661-9295 to learn more and get a free, no-obligation quote. You can also use our online form to submit your information and contact our team. We look forward to hearing from you!