Good blacktop paving seldom wears out, but external factors can affect the oil that binds it together – at first slowly, then quicker as time goes on. As soon as fresh asphalt is newly laid, the hot mix starts cooling, and so too starts the aging process, which will ultimately end its life.
When water and oxygen, which continuously bathe paving, combine with the asphalt binder, a chemical reaction takes place. This process is, at first, necessary for the paving to become firm and hard. But later, if it is not stopped, total deterioration of the binder will occur and render the paving to loose stones. It’s the binder that essentially differentiates paving from gravel.
The deterioration rate of blacktop paving varies. Sunlight and heat will hasten the process, while salt acts as a catalyst. When water penetrates the surface and gets into the base, it also causes trouble, and at the same time, starts oxidation of the binder inside.
A denser mix won’t oxidize as quickly as coarser, open paving. A thicker lift will also extend its life, whereas a thinner one won’t. Truck and automobile traffic create the danger of oil and gasoline spillages, which soften the asphalt and lead to cracks in blacktop paving. Preventative maintenance is necessary to get the most from your paving, so have it checked yearly.
For coverage you can count on, contact us at AAA Top Quality Asphalt. We offer multifaceted, turnkey, self-contained solutions for homeowners, general contractors, municipalities, property owners and developers in Lakeland, Florida, and surrounding areas.