How Does The Arizona Seasons Affect Asphalt Roads?

Scottsdale, Arizona is hot. Very hot. The summer months alone take their toll on residents of the Sonoran desert, and they take their toll on building materials that make up our cities as well. From inner city skyscrapers made of concrete and steel to terra cotta roofs of suburban homes to the vehicles we drive, the heat can really wear down materials and lessen their lifespan.

Asphalt is a malleable material made from gravel, sand, and bituminous pitch. Asphalt is used across the country to pave roads, parking lots, and other surfaces where pedestrians and vehicles travel. While asphalt can last for a very long time, it is far from indestructible. Elements such as water and chemicals such as motor oil and gasoline can break down the integrity of asphalt pavement over time. Just as well, excessive hot temperatures and excessive cold temperatures affect asphalt pavement as well. If your Scottsdale asphalt driveway or commercial parking lot does not receive regular maintenance to keep it strong and durable during the hottest and coldest seasons the desert offers, you could see it deteriorating much faster than it should.

How does heat affect asphalt pavement?

Excessive heat for consistent months at a time can accelerate oxidation. Oxidization essentially causes soft, fresh asphalt pavement to turn grey and dry out. When asphalt dries out, cracks and potholes begin to form. Once these cracks and potholes begin to form, the foundation that lies compacted underneath the asphalt is susceptible to water, drainage, oil, and gasoline. When these elements get between the asphalt layer and the foundation layer, it can accelerate cracking and create unsafe and unsightly uneven surfaces and blowouts. While oxidization is ultimately unpreventable, steps can be taken to maintain your asphalt pavement and extend the lifespan your asphalt pavement has until oxidization takes over.

How does extreme cold affect asphalt pavement?

Scottsdale is not all heat all the time. In different place, including the Valley, winter months can offer very cold temperatures and sometimes even snow. These cold elements can affect your asphalt pavement as much as the sweltering heat can.

Extreme cold can cause the ‘liquid’ asphalt to freeze, melt, and freeze again. This causes cracking that leads to the deterioration problems mentioned above. Salt used to keep asphalt free of black ice can cause further damage to asphalt pavement.

How does rain and monsoons affect asphalt pavement?

If you live in Scottsdale, you’re probably well aware of dust storms and monsoon season. Monsoon season occurs towards the middle of summer and lasts until the middle of fall, typically around June to October. Over half of Arizona on average receives half of its yearly rainfall during monsoon season. The rainfall is no joke either – sideways rain, dusty air, and violent winds accompany monsoon season. This season of extreme weather can affect your asphalt pavement just as much as extreme summer heat and freezing winter cold.

If your asphalt pavement has not received paving and asphalt maintenance, there are likely cracks that have already formed. These cracks leave your asphalt pavement susceptible to the water and debris that will get between the asphalt and compacted foundation layer. If your pavement has a steep elevation, the rain can negatively erode the asphalt and wash it away over time. This is especially a problem during monsoon season when flooding and heavy rainfall happen regularly and consistently. When the pitch is washed away, the sand and gravel mixed with it to form asphalt will remain and give your pavement a washed out, uneven, rocky appearance. These materials can also clog any drainage that is present on the property as well and can cause even more problems that need to be fixed.

How can I prevent elemental damage to my asphalt pavement?

Regular paving and asphalt maintenance can help guard your asphalt pavement from premature damage and erosion. Sealers, crackfilling, and surface treatments can be implemented by a professional paving contractor in Scottsdale like Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance to help improve the resistance your pavement has to natural elements. If you are planning on investing in road paving or driveway paving and want your surface to be installed properly and with additives that can protect your blacktop from elemental destruction, a paving contractor can help.

Who can help me keep my asphalt safe from the elements?

Our paving asphalt company in Phoenix Arizona offers services that include preventative maintenance for all your road paving needs. A contractor with years of professional experience and telltale customer testimonies is vital for correct and resistant asphalt paving. Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance can not only apply your new asphalt driveway or parking lot properly and professional, but can help you maintain it so your space will be looking fresh and functioning smoothly for years to come.

For twenty plus years the talented crew at Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance have been serving Arizona and offering quality paving assistance and installations. Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance serve Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and other places in the Valley.

Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance can help you with anything from brand new paving projects to preventative, corrective, and emergency maintenence. Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance also offers niche services that involve constructing bumper blocks, installing necessary signage, installing concrete gutters, and building and maintaining sidewalks. Call us today!

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Roadrunner Paving & Asphalt Maintenance
1959 S Power Rd, Suite 103-419
Mesa, AZ 85206

Phone: (480) 892-7101
Fax: (480) 892-0772
Email: office@roadrunnerpavingaz.com
Website: http://RoadrunnerPavingAZ.com