Asphalt Pavement Protection From Water Damage: Tips for Modern Cities
Today's cities wouldn't be fun to live in if it wasn't for good roads and paved surfaces. They make movement easy, as you can drive or ride from one point to the other on a user-friendly surface. In doing so, paved surfaces contribute significantly to modern economies by enhancing commercial activities such as transport and logistics. Asphalt has been the ideal material for making roads in urban areas. Its durability, tensile strength and ease of maintenance make it stand out from the crowd. This piece focuses on what contractors do to protect your asphalt roads from damage by excess water. Read on to learn more:
Crack Filling
The initial stages of laying an asphalt road involve excavating the area to create a firm foundation, backfilling and compacting to create a firm surface. The asphalt then follows as the icing on the cake to make the surface rigid and damage-proof. Air and other impurities that were trapped inside the compacted materials can begin to expand and cause cracks on the asphalt's surface during these stages.
Civil works specialists fill these cracks to prevent extensive damage to the road, especially when heavy rains occur. They often use hot-melt crack fills because it is highly pliable and holds on better to the cracks. It also settles quicker to allows road users to access the area within a short time.
Redirecting Water
Contractors also use proactive techniques to prevent damage to roads in urban areas. One of the popular techniques employed here involves redirecting water from the road to areas where it doesn't cause any damage. Usually, contractors build street gutters that run parallel to the paved road to collect and divert stormwater into a designated drain. Dedicated gutter surfaces may also accompany these street gutters to improve efficiency.
Redirecting water is not only good for the asphalt, but it also enhances the road user's safety. For example, it keeps vehicles from hydroplaning and losing traction.
Seal Coating
You can also count on seal coating to protect your roads from water damage. When the contractors finish laying the asphalt, they apply a special seal on the asphalt for enhanced protection. The seal prevents moisture penetration and keeps the asphalt from wearing down over time.
Sealing can be done once every few years. The interval depends on the type of seal used and the road's usage tendencies. However, it is worth noting that seals do not correct any structural deficiencies caused by water damage. Thorough repairs must be done.
Contact a company that handles civil works projects to learn more.