Why Does Asphalt Fail?
Water is the primary enemy of asphalt, though motor oil and other solvents can weaken it and make water invasion more likely. As vehicles drive across asphalt, the friction from the tires heats the material significantly, causing it to expand. Over time, constant expansion and contraction can cause surface cracks. Water then seeps into the cracks, eroding the asphalt from the bottom up. In very cold weather, water can actually freeze underneath the asphalt, violently expanding and pushing areas of asphalt out of the way. When the ice melts, there is nothing to support the top layers of asphalt where the lower layers were removed. When vehicles cross the weakened asphalt, their weight can actually cause the unsupported asphalt to collapse, causing a pothole.
Based in Abbotsford, Topwest Asphalt also serves Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, and Maple Ridge. Are you ready to start your next asphalt project with a team you can count on to do the job right, on time, and on budget? We invite you to call Topwest Asphalt today at 1-800-ASPHALT to discuss your project and schedule an estimate. We look forward to working with you!