Pavement is an incredibly durable material that can withstand thousands of pounds of weight, but it also has its vulnerabilities. Many areas of the country experience extreme temperature differences throughout the year that take its toll on paved highways, roads, parking lots, walkways, and more. Here are a few examples of what has taken place at commercial properties in Elk Grove Village, IL.
Extreme Heat:
When pavement is exposed to hot temperatures, it begins to expand and if it expands too much, it starts to crack. Once a paved area is cracked, that crack can become bigger over time and begin to cause real problems. In addition, pavement cracks allow water to seep inside and can eventually erode the sub-surface layers. When this happens, air gaps can form and once weight is applied to the top layer (say, from a passing vehicle), the asphalt will sag and form a depression or divot. In some worsened cases, it can result in a pothole.
Extreme Cold:
During the winter, the temperatures can fluctuate above and below freezing and while there may not be any precipitation on the ground, there could still be some underneath. If snow, rain, sleet, or hail seeps into a cracked area of asphalt and the temperature warms, it results in water. Once the temperature drops again, the water freezes and expands, pushing the crack outward. This freeze-thaw process can widen already-made cracks and can even cause more significant and dangerous damage like potholes.
Rain:
While rain can be a problem for pavement in the winter, it can also be problematic when the area of pavement is on a significant slope. A steep incline can result in rain constantly washing down the liquid asphalt (the material used to bond the aggregates that form asphalt) and eventually can erode away the top layer of the material. Over time, the paved area can wear away and become mainly rock and aggregate.
The Solution:
Having the right asphalt maintenance plan in place is a proactive step that can help you combat each of the conditions mentioned above. It’s no secret that Mother Nature is going to do whatever it feels like. However, working with an experienced company that has been in the area for over half a century like we have, you can bet we’ve seen a lot of what Mother Nature has to offer.
If you’re looking to partner with a paving company that can help you be proactive, our highly-trained and caring crews have provided Chicagoland with asphalt paving, sealcoating, and concrete services for more than 60 years using the finest quality materials, at fair prices, with superior results. Our consultative approach allows us to deliver a well-planned paving or maintenance and repair project similar to the recent projects that we’ve done in Elk Grove Village, IL. Give us a call today!
