The Causes and Dangers of Uneven Asphalt

So, you’ve just pulled into your driveway after a long day of work and you’re excited to enjoy the rest of your evening. You put your car into park and as you’re about to shut it down, you notice that you’re starting to slide into the passenger seat. While this may be a playful bit of exaggeration, this doesn’t mean that the dangers of prolonged, irregular asphalt should be ignored or underestimated as these can pose a wide variety of hazards for not only you, but for any of your possessions that call your driveway home.

The Causes of Uneven Asphalt

Before confronting the dangers posed by prolonged exposure to uneven asphalt surfaces, it’s critical to understand exactly what causes these issues to manifest themselves so we can take a proactive approach to preventing them before they take hold.

Here are a few of the common causes of asphalt deformation and imbalances:

Poor Subgrade Preparation and Improper Asphalt Mix: Sometimes, the root of these issues stems from the very beginning, while the first steps are being put into the installation process. If the base or subgrade beneath the asphalt is not properly prepared and configured, uneven settling can occur after the asphalt is applied. Furthermore, if the asphalt that is eventually laid down is incorrectly formulated due to excess moisture in the mix, it can result in unbalanced hardening across the surface of the asphalt. These issues are telltale signs of poor paving practices and further demonstrate the importance of using reputable, insured paving experts when addressing driveway paving in Philadelphia.
The Regular Toll of Excess Weight: While high volumes of traffic are almost exclusively relegated to parking lots and busy streets, regular strain from heavy vehicles can wreak havoc on our driveways too. Oversized vehicles such as construction trucks and small buses can cause ruts and depressions to form in the asphalt over time, especially if they are usually situated on one side or the other. Using dedicated truck or vehicle mats and utilizing other parking options for these larger vehicles can help prolong the life of your asphalt.
Consistent Drainage Issues: Water accumulation can cause erosion and weaken the asphalt’s surface, making it more susceptible to damage from regular use. Drainage solutions such as gutters that direct the water away from the driveway or parking lot’s surface are the best way to safeguard the asphalt from erosion.

The Dangers of Uneven Asphalt Exposure

Now that we’ve delved into the root causes of slanting, weakened and unstable asphalt, we need to discuss the risks associated with these developments. Most of these are entirely avoidable before the fact by exploring professional paving services in Doylestown, PA and can be addressed after through the same practices.

Detailed below are some of the dangers produced by uneven asphalt:

Safety Risks to Drivers: First and foremost, the biggest concern boils down to the safety of drivers who utilize parking lots, streets and driveways. Asphalt imbalances can be a bit tricky to spot, especially by those who drive daily and become unfazed by these threats. Larger imperfections such as potholes and cracks have long been destroying the vehicles of motorists and causing accidents since the inception of motor travel. Comparatively, the threats of an uneven driveway seem minor, but they can have devastating consequences further down the line as these issues can throw off vehicle alignments and result in collisions in the future.
Vehicle Damage: As mentioned earlier, uneven pavement can inspire vehicle damage to occur such as alignment issues, tire degradation and suspension problems. These don’t only work in lock-step with safety risks, but they can lead to numerous, costly repairs.
Accelerated Wear and Tear on the Asphalt: In addition to wear and tear on our vehicles, it also deteriorates the asphalt at a faster rate than properly-tended driveways experience. For example, water can collect in low spots, accelerating cracking and erosion. As a result, the pavement may deteriorate faster than expected, requiring more frequent repairs.
Liability Risks: Despite being more geared towards businesses that incorporate large parking lots into their properties, residential driveways can be the source of undesired liability issues as visitors can be negatively impacted by the asphalt’s structural imperfections, potentially putting you on the hook for punitive damages.

Recognizing the Signs and Avoiding the Risks

Now that you’re privy to the underlying causes and entirely preventable aftereffects, you should be able to take particular care in addressing these issues should they arise. However, if you have any further questions or specific property concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our dedicated team of professionals at Kelly’s Paving & Concrete. We have the tools and know-how to undertake any of your paving needs!