Sooner or later, every asphalt pavement will need some type of repair. The time between the initial construction and the first repair will depend on several factors, including the quality of the construction, the weight of the vehicles driving or parking on the pavement, the preventive maintenance procedures performed on the pavement, and the volume of traffic that the pavement supports. Aggressively growing roots from nearby trees, runoff from the surrounding terrain, and spills of gas, oil, or other automotive fluids can also contribute to the need for a repair. When it comes to pavement repair, the best approach is to take care of the little things quickly so that they do not grow into problems that will be more expensive to repair. The type of repair that you will need depends on the type of damage that your pavement has suffered.

What Are the Various Methods Used for Pavement Repair?

At Marathon Solutions Group, we evaluate the age and overall condition of your pavement before recommending a Houston pavement repair procedure. We will also examine the type of damage that needs to be repaired and determine its cause. In some cases, it will be necessary to address the cause of the damage before repairing the pavement. For example, a simple crack can typically be filled or sealed. However, extensive alligator cracking is usually an indication that the base layers have failed. An attempt to fill or seal these cracks without repairing the base would be an exercise in futility that would only waste your money.

Once we have thoroughly inspected and evaluated your pavement, we will normally employ one of the following methods to make the needed repairs.

1. Surface Patch: Also known as a skin patch, a surface patch is only suitable in a limited number of situations. It is extremely inexpensive, but it will seldom provide more than a temporary solution. For example, if a surface patch is installed over a crack, the original crack will usually begin to show through the patch in less than two years. Skin patching is primarily limited to an area of minor damage for which the client needs a temporary, low-cost solution.
2. Remove and Replace: This method provides a repair that will last far longer than a surface patch. We start by marking out a square or rectangle slightly larger than the damaged area, sawing along the markings, and removing all layers of the damaged pavement to expose the subbase. We test the subbase to make sure that it has the strength and stability to support the weight and volume of traffic. If the subbase is adequate, we replace the asphalt we removed with new asphalt. If the subbase is inadequate, we can perform what is known as a full-depth repair. This is a method of increasing the thickness of the replacement asphalt, which may require reducing the thickness of the base, until the combined strength of the base and asphalt exceeds the original strength of the pavement.
3. Mill and Resurface: If there are numerous large areas of the pavement that need to be repaired, it is normally more cost-effective to use this method. Asphalt milling machines grind away the pavement to a specific depth. The removed material is usually taken to an asphalt plant for recycling, but it can also be taken to a new construction site for incorporation into a new parking lot or roadway. After milling, we resurface the area by installing an overlay, which is a new layer of asphalt that can be as much as three inches in depth. This method can even be used to resurface an entire parking lot or a long stretch of highway. It is a surprisingly fast process that is far less expensive than completely reconstructing the pavement, but the results will be similar.

At Marathon Solutions Group, we have the training and experience to know which pavement repair method will be the best solution for you. We have an excellent reputation for quality, customer service, and integrity, and we firmly believe that our team members are some of the best in the paving industry. In addition to pavement repairs, asphalt milling, and asphalt resurfacing, we also offer parking lot maintenance, bollard installation, thermoplastic markings, parking lot striping and restriping, marking removal, asphalt sealcoating, concrete repairs and installation, asphalt crack repair, and parking lot signage. If you would like for us to provide you with a free quote, you can submit your proposal request online or call +1 800-879-1147.