7 Asphalt Repair Tips For Roads Used By Heavy Machinery

Table of Contents

1. Asphalt Repair Tips For Roads[+]
   1. Hire Professionals
   2. Ensure Proper Drainage
   3. Remove Damaged Asphalt
   4. Rebuild the Foundation
   5. Seal Your Road
   6. Transition Butt Joints Smoothly
   7. Add a Layer of Topping
2. Summing Up

Asphalt is common for roads, parking lots, and driveways as it’s durable and weather-resistant. However, it can still crack and crumble with time and heavy use. Keeping it in perfect shape will help you avoid expensive maintenance and replacement costs. Occasional repairs are mandatory. Also, you must ensure you follow the correct procedure, use the best materials, and have the necessary tools for the job; otherwise, you might not achieve the desired results.

Asphalt Repair Tips For Roads

Follow these seven tips to help you repair an asphalt road used by heavy machinery:

1. Hire Professionals

Expert road builders and asphalt contractors have the experience, equipment, and know-how to do the job right. They will also offer you a warranty for durability after task completion. Find a reputable company before embarking on the repair task ahead of you.

Navarro Paving is a road construction and maintenance company experienced in seal coating, asphalt paving, ADA ramps, and striping. They will help you with your asphalt repair needs and ensure a durable and long-lasting surface.

2. Ensure Proper Drainage

Water can quickly damage asphalt, causing it to crack, crumble, and erode. Poor drainage can cause your road to wear faster. Even your repairs would only last a short time, as anticipated. Therefore, ensure proper drainage if you want your asphalt road to last. Check the area around your road for any potential problem that might cause water to pool on the surface. If you find any, fix them before proceeding with the repair.

Apart from raising the asphalt road, you can also improve drainage by installing French drains, catch basins, and other drainage systems. They aid in collecting water and redirecting it away from your road. That way, less water will flow on the asphalt surface, ensuring road durability.

3. Remove Damaged Asphalt

Patching a section of the road is only a temporary fix. The best way to approach asphalt repair is by replacing the damaged part with new asphalt. That way, you will have a more durable road.

Use a jackhammer to break up the damaged asphalt. Wear protective gear because the process can be messy and dusty. After breaking up the asphalt, remove all the debris before you proceed to lay new asphalt. That way, you will have a clean foundation for a new and improved road.

4. Rebuild the Foundation

Most road problems start with an underground issue. The soil may have eroded, or the base might have shifted, causing the asphalt to crack and crumble. In such cases, simply repairing the surface will make your work futile. Soon you will need to rework it again. Roads used for heavy machinery transportation or turning need a stronger foundation to stay intact and function as required.

To fix this problem, rebuild the foundation before working on the asphalt surface. Determine if only a section has the problem or the whole driveway. Begin by excavating the area and checking the soil for any issues. After that, add more gravel to improve its stability. You can also use concrete for a more permanent solution.

5. Seal Your Road

Asphalt seal coating involves adding a thin sealant layer to the road’s surface. The sealer fills in any cracks, giving you a smooth finish. Sealing your road is a great way to protect it from water and other elements that might cause damage. It also protects it from cracks, potholes, and surface wear.

Seal the asphalt every few years to keep the road in good condition and prevent significant damage. It is a simple, cost-effective way to prolong the life of your asphalt road. Also, add concrete or asphalt curbing along the edges of your road to protect it from erosion. But keep space for the heavy machinery to pass through without running over the curbing.

6. Transition Butt Joints Smoothly

Every road has a junction where it meets another asphalt surface or hits an object. These joints usually develop cracks first. To avoid this problem, ensure you transition them with care. You may have to rebuild the whole section to create a smooth connection.

Also, take time to clean and prep the area before you add new asphalt. The surface should be clean, dry, and free of debris. After that, add a cold joint sealer to the area before you pour new asphalt. The sealer helps to bind the new and old asphalt, reducing the likelihood of cracks.

7. Add a Layer of Topping

Your work may continue even after the asphalt repair process. You may also need to add a layer of topping to protect your road from heavy traffic. Topping is an additional layer of asphalt that you lay on the surface. It reinforces the existing asphalt and helps to prolong its life. Top your road with an inch of compacted asphalt.

The thickness can vary depending on the traffic volume and weight of the vehicles using the road. Since you will use heavy machinery, you better be cautious and add a thicker layer. Use a road roller after adding the topping to compact it and create a smooth surface.

Summing Up

Roads are essential infrastructure and must be in good condition at all times. Asphalt repair is necessary to maintain and prolong its lifespan. Driveways, parking lots, and access roads used for heavy machinery require extra care. The tips discussed above will help when you need to repair such a road.

Thank you for reading!