How to Deal with Asphalt Damage Caused by High Heat and Humidity: Insights from a St. Augustine Asphalt Paving and Asphalt Maintenance Company

08 Feb How to Deal with Asphalt Damage Caused by High Heat and Humidity: Insights from a St. Augustine Asphalt Paving and Asphalt Maintenance Company

If you don’t have a proper asphalt maintenance program in place, high temperatures and humidity can have a detrimental effect on an asphalt structure. This is due to the fact that asphalt surfaces will absorb heat and then radiate it outwards, creating what is known as the urban heat island effect. As the heat works on the asphalt, defects begin to appear in the surface. To make matters worse, if you experience a lot of rain (as is the case in St. Augustine), the water will infiltrate these defects and cause more damage.

Once you have both high temperatures and periodic rains, humidity starts to grow, which will then affect the subsurface layers. The humidity will allow air gaps to form, which leads to erosion without proper drainage. As you can see, the effects start to compound quickly. This is why, in order to prevent costly damages to your St. Augustine property, proper asphalt maintenance and repair procedures are key.

Repairing the storm basins

As water accumulates on the surface of the asphalt, it is eliminated through storm basins. When a storm basin is damaged or sunken, the water on the surface of the asphalt will not drain, and the flooding can spread across entire streets. As the installation ages, the basins will need to be adjusted, especially for the rainy season. Needless to say, these modifications are best made before the rainy seasons start.

Filling potholes

Potholes can do a lot of damage to your asphalt surface. What starts out as just a small imperfection can quickly become a resting place for rainwater, which infiltrates deeper into the asphalt and damages the sub-base. This is why it’s essential to address potholes as soon as possible. If you don’t, not only will it cost more to repair the pothole the bigger it gets, but you’ll also have to deal with structural damage.

St Augustine Asphalt Sealcoating

Sealcoating is important if you want to protect your asphalt pavement from weather conditions, gas and oil leaks, and high traffic. It will also remove the risk of stress fractures spreading throughout the surface, which improves the aesthetic appeal of the installation and extends its life. The procedure should be a part of your routine asphalt maintenance package, and it’s recommended regardless of weather conditions.

Keeping the asphalt surface clear of debris

Believe it or not, debris can be detrimental to your asphalt. At first sight, debris may seem so insignificant that it could never damage the asphalt; but over time, and with the help of weather and traffic, various materials can start to have an effect. Small bottle caps, coins, and other trinkets made from strong materials will be driven over, which can start to scratch and dent the surface. You also have water-absorbent waste that will store water, causing it to seep into any imperfections in the surface. Of course, it will take a long time for the damage to become noticeable, but something this small can lower the lifespan of your installation. All of this can be prevented with regular sweeping.

Looking for an asphalt paving and asphalt maintenance company in St. Augustine?

Heat and humidity can be quite damaging to an asphalt surface over a long enough period of time. It can result in a shorter lifespan, and various forms of damage. This is why it’s best to prepare for it properly, ensuring that the surface is sealcoated, the potholes are filled, and that debris is periodically removed. If you need any services related to asphalt paving or asphalt maintenance in St. Augustine, contact us today.