Watch for These Major Factors That Split Asphalt Apart & Maintain Your Property With an Asphalt Contractor in Central Missouri
While durable, asphalt is, unfortunately, not invincible, and it will need consistent care if you want it to keep a flawless surface. Sadly, an asphalt parking lot can crumble in less than five years if the signs aren’t caught and addressed in time. But what is it that causes asphalt to crack so soon in mid-MO? From local vegetation to motor oil to the hot sun, there are several reasons your commercial or residential asphalt may be failing. Check out the most common destroyers of asphalt and turn to MoSEAL for a solution next!
The effects of prolonged UV exposure on asphalt in mid-MO
Asphalt is usually made up of three main components: aggregates of soil or rock, oil, and bitumen, an essential binder. When exposed to intense sun for days on end, your asphalt surfaces in mid-Missouri can start to dry out. As the UV rays strip it of its flexible qualities, the asphalt can become fragile and leave cracks in every direction. If you wait too long to fill these damaged areas with an asphalt contractor, the gap can widen and eventually turn small breaches into full-blown potholes. If your property has no trees or awnings to bring shade, consider doing some planting or installing carports to protect your asphalt from direct sunlight.
Plants that grow through the surface of your mid-Missouri asphalt can cause serious issues
If your commercial or residential asphalt has been cracked for some time, you might notice clusters of weeds or other vegetation seeping through the gaps. This is a common occurrence that happens when water has passed through the asphalt and nourished the roots of seeds and plants underneath. Tree roots nearby can also extend and crowd your blacktop parking lot or driveway. Stubborn weeds can bring further damage to asphalt as they continue to grow, so your best course of action is to pull them immediately before consulting a paver in mid-MO.
Prevent excessive moisture from damaging the blacktop asphalt
The main factor that speeds up your asphalt’s lifespan is moisture. Whether it’s raining or snowing, the water will soak into the pavement and interfere with the base. If this water freezes at any point, it will expand and create several cracks along your mid-Missouri asphalt. Too much moisture can also cause depressions in the surface and nasty potholes. Not to mention, if the parking lot or driveway is full of puddles from improper drainage, you are putting yourself and your patrons at risk of slipping. Keep an eye on your asphalt surfaces in mid-MO when there’s precipitation outside.
Watch out for oil spills on your commercial asphalt in central Missouri
Most asphalt properties are used for parking, and vehicles can emit motor oil or chemicals that deteriorate the asphalt. These spills can make your mid-MO asphalt patchy and leave tons of stains, taking away from the smooth, clean look you want the space to have. You must clean oils and chemicals the moment you see them; otherwise, they can seep through and ruin the asphalt’s foundation. In spring or early summer, powerwash your parking lot or driveway to make a big difference in crack prevention.
My mid-MO asphalt parking lot or driveway is cracked–what’s next?
After finding cracks on your asphalt property, you’re usually left with two options: repair it or start all over again with an asphalt replacement. You can get an estimate from a trusted asphalt contractor in mid-Missouri to help determine what’s possible for your pavement. To keep asphalt surfaces maintained throughout the decade, it’s also important to
sealcoat every few years, giving your asphalt the strength it needs to handle moisture, UV exposure, and chemical spills.
Fix & Maintain Commercial Asphalt With MoSEAL! Call Our Mid-Missouri Asphalt Contractors to Start Patching Your Property
If your asphalt has extensive potholes and alligator cracks, you need a team that can provide emergency asphalt repairs in the Fulton, MO area. Make sure you choose the experts at MoSEAL for guaranteed results and maximum efficiency. From day one, we have been loyal asphalt contractors giving businesses and homes a safe place to walk, drive, and park.
