How Does Improper Drainage Affect Your Asphalt?

How Does Improper Drainage Affect Your Asphalt?

Asphalt and improper drainage are not a good combination. In fact, it can lead to headaches, safety issues, and extensive, costly repairs or replacements. Put simply, asphalt drainage is the rate and extent that water runs off the surface. Let’s take a closer look at how improper drainage affects your asphalt and what you can do to prevent it.

Signs of Poor Drainage

If your asphalt shows any of these signs, there’s a good chance it contains poor drainage that must be resolved.

• Pooling Water: Larger puddles on your asphalt after a rainstorm can be problematic. This pooling water may degrade the surface and lead to potholes, cracks, and indentations down the road.
• Rocks, Sand, and Dirty Residue: Rocks, sand, or pieces of asphalt left over from a rainstorm mean that your asphalt will likely break down because your drainage system isn’t set up correctly.
• Foundation Issues: Water seeping in through the exterior walls and structures of your property will take a toll on your foundation and eventually require significant repairs.

The Effect of Water on Asphalt Surfaces

Every time water penetrates an asphalt pavement as a result of rain, snow, or manmade causes, damage may occur. It significantly weakens both the surface and the soil underneath it. Unfortunately, this damage isn’t usually detectable at the surface level until it becomes extensive. Therefore, you may have it without knowing. Left untreated for quite some time, water damage on asphalt can lead to potholes, cracks, and other costly repairs.

Benefits of Proper Damage

When water drains as it should, you can reduce the risk of many issues and prolong the lifespan of your pavement. A good drainage system can also improve the appearance and safety of your asphalt as it will be free of potholes and cracks. Additionally, well-drained asphalt can control erosion and minimize the costs that come with managing the pavement.

By hiring an experienced team of professionals to complete your asphalt paving project, you can ensure your driveway or parking lot is paved in a way that allows water to flow off of it and drain efficiently. This will reduce the potential for standing water and the serious problems that come with it.