The quality of a contractor’s past asphalt projects is the surest way to know if they are worth handling your upcoming project. An asphalt pavement constructed by reliable contractors has a smooth surface, neat edges, and proper drainage.
Contrarily, asphalt pavements installed by less professional installers exhibit a consistent pattern of common flaws like cracks. Read on to discover more signs of a bad asphalt job so you do not hire a contractor that disappoints.
The Life Expectancy of Asphalt Paving
Standard asphalt pavements can last for 10 to 25 years. The duration depends on factors like the intensity of traffic and the quality of maintenance the pavements get. In most cases, well-kept pavements exposed to normal traffic last a long time.
Furthermore, the lifespan of asphalt pavements depends on the local climate. The asphalt pavements constructed in areas that experience prolonged seasons of hot or freezing temperatures and frequent rainfall don’t hold up well.
Signs to Look for in Low-Quality Asphalt Paving
Alligatoring tops the list of signs of a lousy asphalt job. This paving flaw presents a pattern of interconnected cracks that resemble alligator scales. Alligatoring results from a combination of flaws, including subpar compaction, insufficient thickness, and poor drainage. Other signs of an improper asphalt job include:
1. Potholes
A well-compacted asphalt pavement with the right thickness and proper drainage can withstand damage for many years. For this reason, if your contractor’s past project has potholes yet isn’t so old, you need to step back.
The premature potholes could result from inadequate compaction and insufficient asphalt thickness. Moreover, the premature potholes could be due to inadequate drainage or substandard material quality.
2. Edge Cracks
The edges of an asphalt pavement are highly vulnerable to cracks due to water infiltration and reduced support. However, with proper drainage and reinforcement, asphalt pavements’ edges can resist cracking for a reasonable period.
As such, premature cracks on the edges of asphalt pavements are another sign of a bad asphalt job. The blemishes suggest that the contractor did not reinforce or compact the edges to the required standard.
3. Reflective Cracks
Have you noticed reflective cracks on asphalt pavement by a contractor you are about to hire? The flaw suggests that the pavement had cracks that were repaired. Moreover, the reflective cracks could indicate that the contractor applied an overlay on the deteriorated pavement.
If the blemishes happened shortly after paving, you should steer clear from the contractor. The cracks and worn-out surface could be due to flaws like inadequate compaction or improper mixture proportions.
4. Improper Slope and Drainage
An improper slope or drainage is another sign of a bad asphalt job. The two issues suggest that the contractor failed to level the pavement properly. As a result, sections of the uneven pavement wear out quickly.
5. Thin Asphalt Overlay
A standard asphalt overlay should be at least 2 inches thick. The thick overlay provides excellent structural integrity, ensuring the pavement holds up stresses of traffic and environmental factors like temperature for a reasonably long period. As such, a thinner overlay shows that a contractor isn’t worth relying on. This is because the thin overlay is more vulnerable to cracks and potholes.
Neyra Paving: Your Partner in High-Quality Asphalt Paving Solutions
When it comes to asphalt paving, Neyra Paving is the go-to provider in Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. For the past 50 years, our technicians have handled hundreds of projects for schools, restaurants, office buildings, and apartment buildings.
The experience enables us to handle simple to complex asphalt paving projects with precision. Customers rate us highly for attention to detail, fair prices, and proactive scheduling. Contact us to discuss your paving project with an experienced crew.
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