Effects of Heat on Asphalt

September 10, 2020 Published by Leave your thoughts

Anyone who has spent a summer under the blistering Phoenix sun understands the impact that the heat has on every part of your life. It wears down your car. It fades the siding on your home. It makes you tired and saps your desire to do much besides nurse a bottle of water and sit near a fan. When the Arizona temperature breaks into the triple digits, everything is affected, including your asphalt.

If you haven’t considered the effects of heat on asphalt in Phoenix, AZ, you could be putting your parking lot, street or driveway at grave risk.

Raveling

Raveling is a phenomenon that starts on the surface of your asphalt. With help from the sun, your asphalt softens to the point that soil and aggregate can creep down toward the base of your lot.

Tracking

Asphalt is exceptionally sturdy, to be sure. However, when the temperature spikes, it can soften the surface of your lot and cause it to become slightly unstable. When that happens, bits of asphalt can actually attach themselves to anything passing on top of it—shoes, tires, feet, anything.

Cracking

When your asphalt is getting on in years, or it was improperly maintained or installed, it can be at risk for cracking. Just as the name would imply, cracking sees large cracks open up in your lot. They will grow into small ravines quickly if they aren’t handled promptly.

Oxidation

Prolonged exposure to the impact of heat on asphalt in Phoenix, AZ can lead to oxidation. Over time, UV rays turn the surface of your parking lot brittle. This allows chips and cracks to form, which can lead to more severe issues like cracking and raveling.

Prevent heat damage

Fortunately, you don’t have to sit back and let harmful UV rays take a toll on your beautiful stretch of asphalt. There are steps you can take to ensure your parking lot looks great for years to come:

  • Sealcoat: Establish a consistent routine to have a contractor add sealcoating on a regular basis.
  • Repair damage: No matter how well you take care of things, your asphalt will eventually develop cracks, chips and divots. When these appear, make sure to have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent larger issues from developing.
  • Think about SRI: When you first install your asphalt, ask your contractor about the material’s solar reflectance index. The higher this number, the easier your concrete will rebuff long-term attacks from the sun.

These steps can go a long way toward preventing excessive damage to your asphalt.

We’re ready to help

Don’t succumb to the adverse effects of heat on asphalt in Phoenix, AZ. Let Sunstar Seal Coating, Inc. come to your rescue. Our family owned and operated business has established a reputation for excellence in the world of asphalt. From installation to paving to sealcoating and beyond, our fully licensed, bonded and insured team is ready to breathe new life into your asphalt structures.

We take pride in offering clear-cut communication to all of our customers, which means you get nothing but excellent service at a price you can afford. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *