It’s summer, and while we enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, it can be tough on our asphalt driveways, parking lots, and roads.
The intense heat, combined with the relentless UV rays, can cause a variety of issues. These problems affect more than just the appearance of asphalt; they also impact its overall health and longevity.
Parking lot striping
Have you noticed that the once-bright lines on your driveway or parking lot are looking dull and faded? You can blame the sun for that! The harsh UV rays break down the paint, causing it to lose its vibrant color and become less visible. This fading can create safety hazards, especially in low-light conditions or at night, making it harder for drivers to see the lines clearly and navigate safely.
Dried out pavement
Asphalt is made from a mix of binder and aggregate (stone). When the weather gets extremely hot, the binder can dry out and become brittle.
This drying out weakens the entire structure of the asphalt, making it more likely to crack and form potholes. As the binder loses its flexibility, the asphalt can no longer hold up well under the pressure of heavy vehicles, leading to more serious damage over time.
Heat-related cracking
Asphalt naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature. However, in the intense summer heat, it can expand too much, putting extra stress on the pavement.
Over time, this repeated stress from the excessive heat can cause cracks of different sizes to appear. These cracks can start small, but if left unchecked, they can grow larger and cause more significant problems, like potholes and uneven surfaces.
Softening and tracking
When the temperatures get really high, the asphalt surface can soften. This softening can cause a problem called tracking. Tracking happens when small bits of asphalt stick to your shoes or the tires of your car. This means you might end up with black, sticky asphalt on your shoes when you walk on it or your tires when you drive over it. Not only is this messy, but it can also damage your shoes, car, and even other surfaces where the asphalt bits get stuck.
Reflective heat damage
Asphalt absorbs a lot of heat from the sun. This can make parked cars extremely hot, to the point where touching them can be uncomfortable or even painful.
The intense heat can also damage the interiors of cars, causing materials like dashboards and seats to crack or fade over time. This reflective heat can even make the area around the asphalt feel much hotter, affecting the comfort of people walking nearby.
Restore your asphalt’s shine and durability with expert asphalt services
Summer's heat may be unavoidable, but the damage it causes to your asphalt doesn't have to be.
Hicks Paving is here to help! Our expert team can check the condition of your asphalt, suggest solutions like seal coating or crack repair, and make sure your pavement survives the summer heat and lasts for many years.
Don't let the summer heat ruin your pavement. Contact us today for a professional assessment and top-notch service.