Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Install Pavements With The Services Of An Asphalt Company Maryland Area

By Allyson Burke


Asphalt material is used in construction of pavements because it lasts for long and has the ability to support heavy loads. Nonetheless, this material needs proper maintenance to last for many years. Different factors affect the quality and life of asphalt including sunlight, snow, water, salts, and gasoline products. By consulting an asphalt company Maryland area, you can install new asphalt pavements or repair the damaged ones within your premises.

Asphalt experiences constant oxidation from the time it is laid down and this means that it dries as it ages. The oxidation process continues till the end of the life of asphaltic material. When the material dries, it becomes brittle and unravels thus forming cracks. When ultraviolet rays heat the surface, they accelerate the rate at which the asphaltic material dries out.

Different defects occur on pavement designed of asphalt material and they include cracks, potholes, depressions, sinkholes, and upheavals. Cracks start appearing when you notice the change in color on the pavement surface. This is the first sign that you probably need to look out for in order to determine if the paving surface is disintegrating.

Heavy loads cannot be supported when the subgrade is weak and soon other problems start occurring. The cracks enlarge and form potholes, and if the freeze-thaw cycle occurs, it leads to formation of many potholes. The asphaltic paving material is only as strong as the sub base in which it sits on.

Although this is not a curative procedure or it does not cure defects in pavements, a sealcoat can be used to correct very small defects like the case of minor cracks and unraveling surfaces. The sealcoat acts as a protective barrier and prevents water from reaching the sub base of driveways and parking lots. The coating also prevents sunlight from directly heating blacktop and causing the surface to unravel.

A pavement that begins changing its color from blackish to gray needs a sealcoat. When you sealcoat a pavement, you preserve its quality and strength. Nonetheless, if damages have formed to such extend that they cannot be sealcoated, you should think of doing repairs. Water causes damages on pavements when it enters the sub base and makes it weak. Asphalt contractors not only install but also repair and maintain pavements in good condition.

Most of the defects are corrected before they affect the sub base. Sealcoats are used to prevent ultraviolet rays and water from damaging the blacktop. A properly maintained blacktop can enhance the life of pavements because it shields and protects the sub base. Installation of sub base is costly and this section of the roads should always be protected by maintaining the blacktop in good condition.

Asphaltic paving contractors help in maintaining the blacktop in good condition. The strength of blacktop goes a long way in preserving the quality of parking lots and driveways. Depending on the defect on pavements, the contractors use different techniques to correct them. In addition, sealcoats are applied to preserve the quality of blacktop. With help of an asphalt company Maryland area, you are able to install quality pavements and preserve them in good condition throughout their lifespan.




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