Flooding on commercial and residential asphalt surfaces can be a significant safety hazard for drivers and pedestrians. Also, water is a big issue for the asphalt itself since it damages the pavement from all sides. Read on to learn more about how drainage is critical for asphalt pavements.

Water Causes Damage from All Directions

Water can damage asphalt from all sides. From above, it also destroys the asphalt over time by deteriorating the bonds between the sand, asphalt binder, and rocks. In addition, this asphalt binder is an oil-based product that doesn’t mix well with water. This means that water sitting on the asphalt’s surface can provoke huge problems when it doesn’t drain away effectively. Therefore, drainage is critical for asphalt pavements.

Moreover, the pavement’s slope is the most significant factor in draining water before it can linger on the surface. Asphalt pavement should have at least a 1% slope so the water can flow away. If you have installed your pavement without sufficient slope, work on maintaining it by sealing cracks and patching potholes so that the water isn’t draining, completing less damage.

Water Damages from Below

From below, water can wash the subsoil and weaken the supporting material, which leads the asphalt to crack under pressure. This usually happens when there isn’t proper drainage, so the ground gets saturated. Furthermore, you might need to approach subsurface drainage differently based on the soil under your pavement.

In some cases, a professional asphalt pavement company might need to install a 12-18″ drainable sand layer beneath the aggregate base, especially if it’s heavy clay soil. Alternatively, you can install drain tile below the pavement, including a channel to wash the water away to the storm drain systems. This is why drainage is critical for asphalt pavements.

Contact an Asphalt Paving Company

If you want to safeguard your driveway or parking lot and ensure its longevity, select Tri-State Paving for your sealcoating and asphalt needs. We also provide commercial concrete, asphalt installation, repair, and paving throughout Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. For more information or questions, please request a free estimate here.

Receive Asphalt Paving Services with Tri-State Paving

Call Tri-State Paving. We’re a seasoned asphalt pavement company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for the outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

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Tags: asphalt pavement, asphalt paving, drainage tips

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 10:04 am and is filed under Asphalt Paving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.