When properly maintained, asphalt pavement can last as long as 2 to 3 decades - and that's where a good asphalt maintenance plan comes in. Seasonal weather, time, and use all play a part in the deterioration of an asphalt surface. If you're seeing things like cracks and potholes in your parking lot or driveway, it's likely time to consider maintenance measures to prevent the damage from spreading and further deteriorating your pavement beyond simple repair. One of the most popular and effective maintenance measures is infrared asphalt repair.
What is Infrared Asphalt Repair and When Should I Use It?
This procedure involves using infrared machinery to heat sections of deteriorated pavement so that damaged asphalt can be removed. The leftover pavement is then mixed with new asphalt so that it perfectly matches the grade of the existing surface surrounding the repair area. Materials called "rejuvenators" may also be used to help rejuvenate oil levels in the asphalt so that it can maintain an ideal moisture level which helps the pavement last longer. This asphalt patching process gets rid of problem areas without the need for complete resurfacing and leaves you with a seamless pavement that's temporarily protected from further deterioration.
Infrared asphalt repair is a great choice when you have areas of extensive deterioration in your pavement that haven't reached the point of needing full resurfacing or a total remove and replace job. This is often used to extend the life of your pavement and is much cheaper than completely replacing the whole surface. Sometimes damages are minor enough that basic crack sealing will do the trick, but when damages become more severe or widespread infrared patching is a great solution.
Why Is Infrared Patching Such A Popular Repair Procedure?
Infrared asphalt repair is effective and popular for several reasons. One reason is that it fixes the surface issues but produces very little risk of damaging the base layers of the pavement. Also, the seamless match to the existing pavement surrounding the repair area keeps water from getting in through the seal area, preventing further damage to the area. This approach to asphalt repair is also low-requirement as far as materials and time - it's a relatively cost-effective and fast process and the repaired pavement is typically ready for vehicle use almost immediately upon completion of the repair process.
Another reason infrared patching is popular is that, due to the heat, materials and process, it can be done almost any time of year including in the Winter when many other asphalt procedures may be difficult or impossible to do. Winter is one of the biggest causes of asphalt deterioration, so infrared asphalt repair in Denver comes in very handy when our tough winter weather causes things like potholes and larger crack areas to form on roads, parking lots, or driveways.
Is Infrared Right For My Pavement?
While infrared patching is a great choice in many cases, sometimes damages aren't quite extensive enough to require it (crack sealing may do the trick for more minor problems) or too extensive for it to be effective, in which case you may need to consider something like a full removal and replacement of your pavement.
Our experts here at High Quality Asphalt and Concrete can help you determine what the best repair option is for your pavement, plus we provide free estimates. We're just a call or email away - get in touch today for help determining the best asphalt repair procedure for your pavement.