The Small Print

Hot Asphalt Repairs

Saw-Cut repairs, Aprons, Overlays and Infrared Repairs

It is important to us that you, the customer, understand the services that will be completed and you have reasonable expectations in line with industry standards.  Please read the details below and contact us if you have questions or concerns.

New asphalt is soft:

All new asphalt will be relatively soft for a few years following installation.  This is especially true in summer when it is hot out and there is strong direct sunlight onto the dark black asphalt.  Asphalt is a popular pavement option because it flexes with freeze/thaw shifting and resists cracking.  The properties that allow asphalt to flex, also make it somewhat soft in summer heat.  The asphalt will harden over time.  This means it is less likely to have damage because of softness but more likely to crack.  When the asphalt is new, things can sink in or otherwise damage the soft asphalt, especially when it is hot out.  Avoid putting tables, chairs, trailer hitches or kick stands on the new asphalt.  Avoid parking on the new asphalt for extended periods of time.  Avoid turning a car or trailer tire on the new asphalt.  Try to drive straight over it.  Damage to soft asphalt can be touched up, but it will likely still be noticeable, as touch ups will disturb the surface appearance.

The new asphalt will look different: 

New asphalt is porous compared to aged asphalt, which has often hardened and smoothed out over time.  Therefore, you will always be able to see that the repair has been done.  Even after you sealcoat, the new asphalt will stand out because the surface texture is still more porous and reflects light differently, even though it is the same color.  Slight compaction lines may be visible after completion, but they will blend away with time.

Cut lines will open up:

While repair cut lines will be tight at first, they will likely open up over the first 1-3 years.  It will be important to seal the cut line with hot rubber crackfiller as a maintenance act every 2-3 years.

The repair areas will change:

The asphalt repair sections may slightly shrink, and settle and change over time.  Areas that you regularly drive on or park on, and areas where water regularly drains to (on top or underneath) or puddles on are more likely to settle or have other issues. Be aware of where water runs out of gutters, etc. 

Winter heaving:  

It is impossible to guaranty against winter heaving as this is largely dependent on your type of soil and amount of moisture in your ground down to the frost line.  This heaving may also lead to cracking, even in new asphalt.  Try to keep water draining away from the area to decrease the potential of freeze/thaw damage.

Water puddling:

We can often only guaranty that water will not puddle on the new asphalt after completion.  Depending on the surrounding situation, water that used to puddle on the repair area may now settle on the adjacent asphalt or elsewhere.  In some cases, large scale excavation and paving may be necessary to ensure complete water drainage.  Contact us if complete water drainage is your goal.  The repaired areas may slightly settle over time and hold some water.

Overlays:

Please be aware that overlays will look patchy.  Asphalt has rock in it so overlays will often have a ‘lip’ where it ends.  This lip may crumble and catch snow removal tools.

Infrared:

Infrared repairs are often a budget friendly alternative to a full depth cut-out repair.  Because the repair is not full depth, deep cracks may reflect back through the new asphalt, even in the first winter.