A plant sprouting through a cracked asphalt surface.

What Are the Common Causes of Asphalt Damage?

As the top asphalt paving contractors serving Moorestown and the surrounding communities in NJ, Stanley Paving has a deep understanding of the symptoms, causes, and remedies of damaged asphalt pavement. In fact, we frequently shred or “mill” old, worn asphalt paving into tiny pieces so it can be recycled and reused as “milled” asphalt paving. So, we know exactly what it takes to destroy a seemingly-sturdy road, parking lot, or driveway, and what it takes to put it back together. Stay with us as we review three of the most common causes of damaged asphalt paving in the infographic below, and then continue reading for further detail:

Infographic pointing out three common causes for asphalt damage.

3 Common Causes of Cracked or Damaged Asphalt

  • Poor Subgrade Load-Bearing Capacity

Unsatisfactory subgrade is known to result in cracks and other types of asphalt pavement damage. Subgrade is the native material that each layer of pavement is laid on top of — in other words, it’s the ground. Asphalt damage can occur when natural soils beneath the base layer of asphalt are clay-based, instead of stone. Have you ever noticed ruts or grooves forming in a parking lot or paved road after a rainstorm? If so, that could be a sign that the subgrade is incapable of supporting as much weight as expected. 

  • Deteriorating Paver Seams

Paver seams, also known simply as joints, will inevitably break down and fall apart as asphalt pavement ages and experiences the effects of weather. But damage is sometimes apparent much sooner than expected due to issues that may have occurred during construction. For instance, if the temperatures were cooler during installation or there was too much time between loads, that could be a factor. Many of these factors are simply out of a contractor’s control. 

  • Insufficient Pavement Thickness

Another common cause of cracked or damaged asphalt is inadequate pavement thickness. Surface-level asphalt should be at least two inches thick if it’s going to hold strong through moisture and heavy vehicle traffic. If the pavement is too thin or it was carelessly installed, extensive cracking is more likely to occur.

Call Stanley Paving to Repair Asphalt Damage the Right Way

Are you a business owner or commercial property owner who is unexpectedly dealing with a cracked driveway, crumbling parking lot, or some other form of premature asphalt damage? If so, you can count on the experts at Stanley Paving to perform repairs — or to tear up the pavement and start fresh — the right way, every time. Call us today to learn more about our asphalt paving services near Forked River and other communities in NJ!