3 Types of Pavement Cracks and How to Fix Them

Now is the time of year to make repairs and renovations to your paved lot. Not only does the weather permit such work, making the process more efficient and successful, it also prepares paved surfaces for the upcoming winter climates. Common winter expectations, like heavy precipitation, strong winds, and extreme temperatures, can all negatively impact asphalt and concrete pavements if they are not sufficiently protected.

One of the most frequently-made repairs this time of year are for surface cracks. There are three common types of surface cracks, all of which can occur to both asphalt and concrete pavements. Continue reading to learn how to identify, repair, and prevent such cracks on your property.

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Block Cracks in Asphalt Pavement

The 3 Common Pavement Cracks:

Reflective

Reflective surface cracks occur when a crack or joint in the underlying pavement “reflects” upward through the surface. These types of cracks are primarily dealt with in resurfacing projects, but they can also appear in the form of “low-severity” cracks following new pavement installation. They are not a good sign since they reduce the overall lifespan of your asphalt or concrete overlay.

Block

Block cracks are easy to identify because they form in patterns of squares; the cracks intersect each other at nearly 90 degree angles. They are often found in parking lots, as they tend to happen as a result of not having enough traffic. You see, steady, consistent traffic on pavement helps to knead it and keep it flexible, making it more resistant to crack formation. Other reasons why block cracks form is due to low-penetration asphalt, excessive air voids, overly high plant mix temperatures, and more.

Edge

Edge cracks are just that; cracks that form around the edges of pavement, usually along curbs, sidewalks, medians, and drainage ditches. They are identified accurately by measuring their location; if they are parallel to and within 18 inches of the edge of the asphalt or concrete, they are considered edge cracks. The most common causes are insufficient base construction, inadequate shoulder support, poor drainage, and frost effects.

Resolve Pavement Cracks ASAP

It is important to catch and resolve pavement cracks early on, before they can spread and lead to larger structural problems. The best way to do so is to hire a licensed and insured Indianapolis paving company for help creating the best pavement repair and maintenance plan for your property. Depending on the extent of damage to your lot, you may require crack-filling, crack routing or widening, pavement resurfacing, re-striping, curb repair, ADA ramp repair, and more. To protect your lot from future damages, be sure to discuss sealcoating options with your trusted paving contractor.

Get Started With a Free Quote

ACI Asphalt Concrete Inc. 317-549-1833
ACI Asphalt Concrete 317-549-1833

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial paving services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide several Indianapolis asphalt and concrete paving services, including pavement repair, sealcoating, road work, commercial paving, industrial paving, and more. Request a free estimate, today!

ACI Asphalt & Concrete Offers Workable Solutions for Your Commercial Paving Problems!

Parking Lot Paving
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ACI Asphalt & Concrete is the number one choice for commercial pavers in Indianapolis, Indiana! This is largely due to the fact that our professional road construction specialists are highly trained and extensively experienced in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. Furthermore, in combination with an immense staff of licensed, bonded, and insured paving contractors, we retain the latest technologies, innovative materials, and state of the art tools, allowing us to achieve the highest standards of excellence on every job.

These reasons and more are why our team of expert pavers are successfully completing asphalt and concrete projects for commercial and industrial properties, every day!

Our Company Offers the Most Competitive Rates for Asphalt and Concrete Paving Work!

ACI Asphalt & Concrete offers a wide range of professional-grade paving services, including asphalt and concrete work, curb repair, sidewalk repair, block paving, road striping, milling and overlaying, seal coating, removal and replacements, and much more. Take a closer look at some of the top paving services we offer for Indiana commercial and industrial properties:

Asphalt Repair
Asphalt Repaving
Sealcoating
Parking Lots
Potholes / Chuck Holes
Speed Bumps
Crack Repair
Striping
Walking Paths
Asphalt Milling
Excavation
Demolition
Parking Blocks
Concrete Repair
Concrete Replacement
Sidewalks
Curbs
Steps
Concrete Grinding
ADA Ramps
Storm Drains
Dumpster Pads
Ballard Post
Demolition / Removal
Drainage Pipes
Hand Rails

Why Choose Us?

ACI Asphalt & Concrete is licensed, bonded, and insured, with more than three decades of hands-on experience in the paving industry. We are also active members of the Better Business Bureau, Indiana Manufactured Housing Association, Community Association Institute, and the Apartment Association of Indiana. As a locally owned and operated company here in Indianapolis, we are dedicated to supporting our communities with reputable and friendly paving service at economy-based prices.

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!

Request More Information Today!

ACI Asphalt Concrete Inc. 317-549-1833
ACI Asphalt Concrete 317-549-1833

Here at ACI, we are truly dedicated to proving superior paving services for the local municipalities in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. In fact, we are truly honored to be members of the local community, and strive to be your affordable solution for professional, high-quality municipal pavement repair and service. Contact us at 317-549-1833 to learn more about our asphalt and concrete paving services, today.

Why is My Asphalt Deteriorating?

Have you taken a close look at your asphalt pavement lately? If it is beginning to show signs of deterioration, there is usually a good reason why. Fortunately, asphalt is a material that is easy to work with and repair. So if your asphalt lot has seen better days, a quick makeover is no problem.

Continue reading to learn your options for asphalt repair, as well as, some common reasons why asphalt deteriorates.

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Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Learning what causes asphalt to deteriorate is important so that you can better protect your newly-restored pavement and increase its lifespan. Although some things cannot be controlled or avoided, there are many others that can. Here are the primary reasons why asphalt pavement will breakdown:

Poor Quality Installation

The most common reason why a relatively new asphalt paved surface begins to deteriorate is due to poor installation. Inexperienced or unethical contractors may render a poor quality job as a result of cutting corners, old equipment, a lack of resources, poor quality materials, and shoddy workmanship. For this reason, the best decision you can make for your premises is hiring an experienced and licensed Indianapolis asphalt paving company that can provide professional repairs and services that stand the test of time. When asphalt is laid properly, it can last decades.

Poor Water Drainage

Another reason why asphalt will begin to corrode sooner than it should is poor water drainage. This is usually a result of poor quality work, as mentioned above. When a lot cannot sufficiently drain standing water from its surface, the water will penetrate the asphalt and cause the liquid asphalt binder to lose its resistance to water, which can lead to compaction problems and more. Once colder temperatures come around, the freeze-thaw cycles will begin, causing the water to expand cracks and produce pot holes.

Foot and Vehicle Traffic

If your lot experiences a lot of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, it is more likely to show signs of deterioration soon than a vacant lot would. The impact and weight of cars, trucks, vans, and more, will cause the pavement surface to form cracks that will eventually expand and crumble overtime. Stains from chemicals, grease, and dirt will also impact asphalt. Discoloration and fading may occur from sunlight exposure, which can dry out liquid binders, allowing for water penetration.

Natural Elements

As mentioned, some things are out of your control, for the most part. Overtime, natural elements like wind, rain, snow, and ice, will cause pavement to deteriorate. This is what we call “natural wear and tear.” And although these elements are not controllable, you can protect your asphalt and extend its life with a quality sealcoat. Just be sure it is applied by a licensed and insured asphalt paver.

Who to Call For Experienced Asphalt Paving

ACI Asphalt Concrete Inc. 317-549-1833

ACI Asphalt Concrete 317-549-1833

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt paving and seal coating in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our team of licensed and insured pavers provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete paving services for commercial, industrial, and municipal properties. We serve all of Central Indiana and its surrounding areas. Request a free estimate, today.