After years of exposure to the elements, even some of your property’s most durable parts are subject to deterioration. Take asphalt for instance—your driveways, walkway, or parking lot will endure various damages from the sun, rain, traffic, and fluctuating temperatures. Professionals refer to one of these consequences as alligatoring. If you’ve never heard of this condition before, use the following overview to avoid it altogether.

An Overview of Asphalt Alligatoring

What Is Asphalt Alligatoring?

Sometimes called fatigue cracking, alligatoring occurs when the top of your surface starts to develop numerous small cracks. These rifts connect to create patches, much like the scales on an alligator’s back. While it will seem only to affect the uppermost layer, alligatoring is one of the most pressing asphalt repair issues.

How Does It Happen?

As rainwater absorbs into your asphalt driveway or parking lot, it permeates the base, displacing material and allowing the uppermost layers to settle. As they shift, they may crack into small patches on their own. However, in most cases, alligatoring is caused by vehicle traffic and heavy loads, which put pressure on the weakened pavement and crack the top layer. Sometimes, alligatoring is also aggravated by the freeze-thaw cycle during winter, which expands and contracts the road, weakening it.

What Can I Do to Avoid It?

The best way to avoid alligatoring is to sealcoat the asphalt surfaces around your home or business. The transparent coat will act as a protective seal, limiting expansion and contraction during fluctuating temperatures, and preventing water from seeping in and weakening the base. If you do spot a small crack, have it filled by a professional before it can expand and multiply.

If you want to sealcoat or repair your asphalt, get in touch with Professional Asphalt Services, Inc. of Long Lake, MN, today. They have over 25 years of experience serving home and business owners in the Twin Cities area. Whether you need asphalt repair, crack filling, or preventive measures such as sealcoating, call them today at (612) 636-8888 and ask for an estimate. You can also visit their website for more information on their offerings.