When heavy rains and storms hit the pavement, it can have devastating effects. When asphalt is properly installed and maintained these effects can be avoided for some time. With heavy rains hitting the DMV in recent weeks, you may see the following problems.
Seeping Through a Seam
At the sides of your asphalt parking lot, you might have some seams that connect the lot to the cement gutters. Under normal circumstances, rainwater will run down into the gutter and be directed to a drainage system. When the rains are heavy, there is too much water to avoid those seams. Water could then begin to seep down through the seems and damage the sublayers of your parking lot. When that happens, cracks begin to form on the surface.
Shrinking the Asphalt
A natural chemical reaction of rain and asphalt results in water forcing the oil that is in the asphalt to move upward. If that phenomenon takes place, the water starts to seep down between small pieces of gravel that are not protected by the oils. The asphalt could actually start shrinking, which exposes the driveway to more damage.
Expanding and Cracking
When water is able to seep down beneath the surface of your asphalt, it could collect under there for some time. When the temperatures dip, the water could freeze. As it warms up, that ice could melt. This causes expansion in the asphalt, which is going to inevitably cause cracking. Cracks that go unrepaired are going to lead to potholes when the water drains and there is a cavity beneath the asphalt.
As you can see, heavy rains are not good for your asphalt parking lot. With a properly installed parking, you can avoid some of these issues, but it’s crucial to speak with the professionals about proper maintenance and repairs. Contact NVM Paving & Concrete by calling 703-423-0471 or emailing us today to learn more.
