Asphalt Patching – What You Need To Know

Asphalt patching is a common asphalt repair technique. It is usually performed when the existing asphalt pavement is showing signs of deterioration, such as cracks, holes, or other problems that cannot be solved with simple chipping and resurfacing alone. If you are responsible for an asphalt parking lot or driveway, it is essential to be aware of the best practices for asphalt patching in order to keep your pavement in optimum condition!

In this blog post, we will cover all that property owners and managers need to know about asphalt patching to keep their pavement in ideal condition.

What is asphalt patching?

Asphalt patching is a technique used for repairing small areas of asphalt pavement by replacing the deteriorated material with new asphalt to restore its structural integrity without having to invest in resurfacing or repaving.

When should asphalt patching be done?

Asphalt patching is a standard method for treating an area displaying signs of localized distress such as depressions, alligator cracks, etc. Full-depth patching is necessary where repair is required from the pavement surface all the way to the underlying base, subbase, or subgrade material, for example, in the case of a pothole.

On the other hand, partial depth patches cover less than three inches from the top layer and are used to repair issues such as raveling, rutting, delamination, and cracking.

What are some standard asphalt patching techniques?

Various patching techniques can be used to repair potholes, cracks, and other types of damage on different surfaces, including asphalt roads, pavement, parking lots, playgrounds, tennis courts, and more. Also, different patching materials can be used, including hot mix asphalt, cold patch asphalt, proprietary patching mixes with unique blends, and asphalt emulsion mixes.

Some common patching techniques are:

• Throw-and-go – Sometimes, it is necessary to make quick fixes on the spot. Throw-and-go, a temporary cold patching method that can be applied during harsh winters or adverse weather conditions, provides an easy solution for pavement repair in situations when more permanent solutions are not possible.

• Spray injection – This method is used to treat damage in adverse conditions. It uses special equipment to blow out water, debris, and loose asphalt from the pothole or crack, after which aggregate and emulsion are injected at high pressure into the empty space left behind for seamless repair without any need of compaction.

• Semi-permanent patch – This type of patch lasts slightly longer than the throw-and-go or spray injection methods. The process requires proper surface preparation, so a broom or air compressor is used to remove all debris and water from the damaged area. Next, a pavement saw is used for cutting off any deteriorated sides; this is important as uneven edges are hard to fill in with asphalt patches. Next, any remaining broken asphalt pieces in the hole are removed, then it is filled with the patching mix. Finally, the patch is compacted using a vibrating plate or roller.

• Full-depth patching – This is a permanent repair technique that involves excavating the damaged area to a minimum depth of four inches and extending the sides by at least one foot to ensure proper bonding with the existing surface. Before adding asphalt mix, an asphalt tack coat is applied, followed by backfill for better bonding with the existing surface.

How to ensure that your patch lasts a long time

There are many ways to enhance the longevity of your asphalt patch, a few of which are listed below:

1. For a more durable patch, remove all loose debris or damaged material from the hole as it can cause shifts within the asphalt layers once traffic resumes, resulting in cracks and depressions in your patch.
2. Similar to paving projects, it is imperative to compact each layer of the patch to ensure that materials are tightly packed together, and the base is no exception. This will help create a firmer surface that can withstand more weight. If you do not compact the base, it does not matter how well-compacted the upper layers of your patch are; you will face settling and patch failure.
3. For a more durable patch, remove all loose debris or damaged material from the hole as it can cause shifts within the asphalt layers once traffic resumes, resulting in cracks and depressions in your patch.
4. Similar to paving projects, it is imperative to compact each layer of the patch to ensure that materials are tightly packed together, and the base is no exception. This will help create a firmer surface that can withstand more weight. If you do not compact the base, it does not matter how well-compacted the upper layers of your patch are; you will face settling and patch failure.

The information in this blog post should give you a good understanding of the basics of asphalt patching. If you have any questions or would like to get a free estimate for your project in Laramie, WY, contact Affordable Sealing & Striping, Inc today!

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