Why Water Is a Threat to Your Asphalt

The Impact of Rain, Snow, and Sprinklers on Pavement (and What You Can Do About It)

The leading cause of deterioration of asphalt surfaces is water. Whether it comes from rain, snow, or sprinkler systems: water is the biggest cause of damage to pavement surfaces. This silent enemy can turn a smooth surface into a cracked, crumbling mess – and often faster than people can expect. 

Whether you own a driveway, parking lot, or any other paved surface: here’s why water matters to you and how you can protect your investment.

Water can lead to all kinds of pavement damages, especially where it pools

Water Weakens Asphalt From the Inside Out

Even a small crack in asphalt can let water in. Once this happens, it can lead to a downhill trend fairly quickly. Cracks get worse as water seeps into the pavement. When temperatures drop, the freezing and expansion of any present moisture will cause further cracking and enlarge existing cracks. Moisture in these cracks also encourages vegetation growth, allowing roots to push cracks even wider or form faster. 

Water can also damage subsurface layers of asphalt, places you can’t see from the surface. That manages to penetrate below pavement can erode away at the gravel or dirt base that asphalt was built upon, leading to soft spots, sagging, or potholes. In rare (but very serious) circumstances, this can even lead to sinkholes or similar issues with the integrity of paved areas.

Surfaces can also become brittle over time, largely exacerbated by the presence of water. Water exposure leads to oxidation, which hardens asphalt and leads to it becoming more brittle. A brittle pavement is more likely to crack from the pressure of vehicle traffic and other damages. 

Evaporation and Adhesion During Installation

Water doesn’t just affect the lifespan of an asphalt surface, but also the efficacy and aesthetics of repairs. Proper asphalt installation depends on strong adhesion between the layers – especially between new asphalt and the base beneath it. When water is present during installation, several problems can occur, including poor bonding, trapped moisture, and surface defects. 

Moisture prevents asphalt from properly bonding to the base layer, which can weaken its structure right from the start. If that water is then trapped underneath this newly laid asphalt, it can later cause bubbling, soft spots, or premature cracking as it evaporates or freezes. The evaporation of that moisture strips minerals out of the asphalt itself, often leaving behind discolorations or residue on the surface. Installing asphalt on a wet surface can also lead to numerous deformities and irregularities on the surface – many of which also serve to shorten its lifespan. 

Whether these results are minor aesthetic issues or deeper problems with the integrity of repairs or installations, these issues are why asphalt companies like Black Pearl Asphalt always recommend rescheduling asphalt work if the ground is wet or rain is in the forecast, and why it is generally required for sprinkler systems to be disabled prior to any maintenance work. 

How to Protect Your Asphalt

The best way to avoid costly repairs in the long-run and extend the life of your pavement is by staying proactive. Sealcoating regularly blocks out water and prevents other sources of oxidation that can damage pavement. It is generally recommended to seal a paved lot or roadway every 2-3 years, but exceptionally heavy or light traffic can move that timeline a year or so. Annual crackseal (as we talked about here) is also incredibly effective at preventing the damages of water on a lot, especially the prevention of potholes. 

It is also important to regularly check your lot for any drainage issues, such as pooling of water or the formation of ruts. Catching problems while they’re small is cheaper and better in the long run for protecting and extending the life of pavement. Cleaning up dirt and debris if it begins to accumulate keeps water from being trapped on the asphalt and speeding up erosion. Areas where snow is stored during the winter months also tend to see higher rates of damages. Rotating snow piles or finding areas outside of the pavement to store snow after plowing can mitigate these damages. 

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Black Pearl Asphalt doesn’t just patch up damages, but we also hope to help prevent them wherever possible. If you are noticing issues in your pavement, want advice on how best to address them, or are looking for an estimate to fix damages that have already arisen you can always get in touch with our office. Let us help keep your pavement strong and water-free.