Asphalt repair is something most business or property owners need more often than they realize. Allowing parking lots to deteriorate and ignoring needed fixes heavily increases an owner’s liability. This isn’t a risk worth taking.

Why not allow a highly-qualified sealcoating and asphalt repair contractor mitigate this liability? The process of repairing and patching asphalt can be quite simple. Here’s what to expect:

  1. Your contractor will likely use a pavement saw or pneumatic hammer to cut the outline of a patch. Typically, we will extend at least 1′ outside of the area under duress. This outline will be a rectangle or square with two sides at right angles towards the direction of traffic.
  2. The contractor will then excavate pavement as required to reach significant support. If a patch will be a heavily-integrated part of the pavement, it’s important that the foundation is as strong if not stronger than the original. In some cases, this means some of the subgrade may require removal.
  3. The contractor must then trim and compact the sub-grade.
  4. The next step is application of a “tack coat” to the vertical faces of the excavated area. Multiple grades of asphalts are acceptable and the most suitable will be chosen by your professional.
  5. The excavated area must then be backfilled with the mixture of asphalt. It’s important to note that patches containing emulsified/cutback asphalt should be inserted in thin layers so that diluents evaporate.
  6. The mixture must be carefully spread to avoid pulling from the center of the patched area to its edges. Instead, more material should be placed at the edges and the extra should be raked away. It can be tricky to put the correct amount, since enough patching material must be inserted to be sure the patch won’t be lower than the surrounding pavement. But it’s also important that too much isn’t used or a hump will form in the patched area.
  7. The patch must be compacted using equipment matching the scope of the job. Smaller jobs may require a vibratory plate compact, while a vibratory roller is bet for larger areas.
  8. The patch’s surface should be even with the adjacent pavement unless hand tamping or another lighter method is used. In these cases, the patch is likely to be pressed down with traffic, so it should be slightly higher than surrounding pavement upon completion.
  9. The vertical alignment and smoothness may be double checked using a straightedge or a string line.

As you can see, asphalt repair is a process best left to those who know what they’re doing! If your asphalt needs fixing or if it needs a sealcoat, give EMS a call!