Six Types of Cracks in Your Asphalt that Require Immediate Repairs

Are you wondering about the severity of cracks and damages you spot on your asphalt surfaces?  When you first notice cracks in your asphalt, you will want to trust the professional in paving in Fredericksburg, TX to take a look.  They will be able to detect the type of crack that you are dealing with, the reasons why the cracks form, and the way to repair the issue to prevent further damage.  These are six of the most common types of asphalt cracks that require immediate repairs or changes.

Block Cracks

You can spot block cracking by looking for squares or circles of inside the cracks of your asphalt surfaces.  This is typically caused when old mix or not waiting the proper amount of time to dry before the surface was used.  When you are concerned about this issue, you will want to look at the cracking about two to three years after the asphalt is laid.   

Reflection Cracks

The name says it all.  This type of cracking is when the cracks in the asphalt mirror the sub-layer cracking or the sub-layer joints.  If the cracks appear in a grid-like pattern, this is a good indication that you are dealing with reflection cracks.  Fill these cracks with sealant to prevent moisture from destroying the layers underneath.  

Linear Cracks

These cracks appear to look exactly like what they sound -- long lines that run along the joints of the pavement.  If the joints beneath the road have been improperly constructed or installed, it can cause these types of cracks to form.  When you notice these issues, you will want to improve the draining and fill the holes with seal or emulsion.  

Edge Cracks

If your asphalt is cracked along the edge of the surface where the road meets the soil, you may have an edge crack.  These cracks can be long and run alongside to the road.  You can fill these cracks with asphalt seal or emulsion.  When filling these cracks, you will also want to consider fixing the draining problem, as these cracks were like the result of poor drainage or poor soil conditions along the side of the road.

Fatigue Cracks

These cracks are typically referred to alligator cracks because of their resemblance to the skin of an alligator, and they are most frequently caused by heavy weights from traffic or fluctuations in extreme temperatures.  Unfortunately, these cracks indicate that the entire structure of your asphalt surface is likely compromised.  You will need to patch these extensively, making sure to strengthen the supports underneath the surface in order to prevent any further issues from arising.  

Slippage Cracks

Slippage cracks look like a collection of wrinkles and wide, open gaps in the asphalt.  These cracks occur when the top layer of the surface doesn't adhere to the sub-layers.  Typically, these cracks can be repaired with patches.

These are some of the most common types of cracks that can cause damage to your asphalt surfaces.  Contact our experts in paving in Fredericksburg, TX to inspect and fix your asphalt today.