How can you tell a paving job is less than ideal? Here’s how!
How do you know that the asphalt company you hired did a great or horrible job? You don’t want to get ripped off, especially if you are hiring for a commercial or governmental paving project. Ideally, you want to make sure the asphalt paving company is fantastic before signing a contract. Even so, what are the signs of a bad asphalt job? How can you be sure you are getting great work? Look for these indicators below.
Signs of a Bad Asphalt Job
Asphalt Cracking
Asphalt pavements form cracks eventually, but they should not start forming almost immediately after the pavement installation. Asphalt cracks allow water to seep into the sublayers and cause wider cracks and eventually potholes.
Asphalt Voids
Gaps, pits, or holes in your asphalt pavement are certainly a bad sign. If they are hidden, they could be worse than actual potholes! The asphalt should be completely solid and compacted. No hole or gap should open up under anyone’s feet or vehicle tires.
Uneven Pavement
Speaking of which, the pavement should not be wavy. It should be smooth and free of bumps, including where new and existing pavement meet. It should also be graded properly so that water can run off the pavement into the surrounding soil or the nearest storm drain.
Asphalt Spalling and Raveling
Another clear sign of a bad asphalt job is if flecks or bits of the asphalt are coming off of the surface or edges. Asphalt spalling is when flecks of the pavement come off the surface directly, while asphalt raveling is when bits of aggregate gravel come loose.
Asphalt Shrinkage
Has the asphalt pavement shrunk in an incredibly short amount of time? It could mean that the asphalt failed to dry and cure properly. When the asphalt dries, it is hard enough to receive traffic, but when it cures fully, it will have fully chemically bonded and strengthened. Asphalt can take up to a year to cure.
Plant Growth
Are weeds or trees starting to grow through cracks in your asphalt road, driveway, trail, or parking lot? The pavement might not have been thick enough, or asphalt cracks opened during spring.
Achieve a Great Asphalt Job with Reliable Contracting
You can achieve a beautiful, functional asphalt paving job in Maryland with the help of Reliable Contracting. Learn more about us below to see if we are a good candidate for your Maryland paving project.
ABOUT RELIABLE CONTRACTING
Reliable is dedicated to delivering quality products, displaying professionalism within the firm, seeking new opportunities for expansion and profitability, and providing an environment for individual success. If you have a commercial or residential construction project that you need taken care of, please contact Anne Arundel County’s largest site-work contractor today by calling 410-987-0313 or visiting our website. You can also follow Reliable Contracting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter!
Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties and areas: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.