Why Is Your Asphalt Driveway Swelling?

If you find a large bulge traveling across the center of your asphalt driveway or pavement, call a paving contractor soon. The bulges in your driveway may be due to swelling. Swelling occurs when water freezes and thaws beneath the surface of a paved structure, such as your asphalt driveway. Swelling can cause multiple issues with your driveway, including cracks. Learn more about asphalt swelling and how to keep it from damaging your driveway below.

What Causes Asphalt Pavement to Swell?

Asphalt pavement is a popular and common choice for driveways today. Although asphalt is resilient and strong, the material can experience problems in cold climates, including swelling. Swelling occurs when water repeatedly freezes and thaws beneath weakened asphalt pavement. The process can eventually cause the pavement to swell upward from the ground and crack.

Asphalt swelling isn't something you should ignore. The bulge traveling across the center of your pavement can slowly upheave, or raise up, your driveway. If your driveway does raise up from the ground, you'll need to replace it.

You can repair the swell or bulge in your driveway with a paving contractor's help.

How Do You Repair Swelling Asphalt Pavement?

A paving contractor will need to examine the soil beneath your driveway during the visit. If the soil contains pockets of freezing water, a contractor will fill in the pockets with gravel or another material. A contractor will complete the work by repairing the surface of your driveway.

If the repairs above don't solve the issues with your swelling driveway, a contractor may repave it with an asphalt material that can withstand the freeze and thaw process that pavement undergoes in the winter. In this case, cold-mix asphalt may be the best replacement option for you.

A contractor may also rebuild the subgrade, or soil beneath your driveway, before they repave your driveway. The subgrade supports the weight of your driveway. If the subgrade is too weak to support your driveway, it will eventually sink. The sunken soil will build up with water again in the future.

A contractor may check the condition of your driveway again in the future. The inspection ensures the pavement dried smoothly after installation. If needed, a contractor will cover the newly placed asphalt material with a waterproof sealant to prevent issues in the future.

Learn more about asphalt swelling and how to repair it by consulting an asphalt paving company, such as Acme Paving & Seal Coating Inc, today.  


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