If your asphalt driveway is looking worn and ragged, a fresh paving job may be in order. According to the Spruce, it's recommended you have maintenance completed on asphalt driveways every three to five years. When hiring a paving contractor for repairs or resurfacing, be sure to ask them about incorporating paving fabric installation. This special woven geotextile material provides a critical base layer that can significantly increase the lifespan and durability of your new asphalt. Keep reading to learn about more of its benefits.

Prevents Cracking and Potholes

Without an intact base layer, asphalt is prone to cracking and buckling from the repeated stress of vehicles driving over it. The pavement moves independently of the base, leading to splits, potholes, and breaks in the surface. Paving fabric installation addresses this through stabilization. The fabric's woven structure provides reinforcement, holding the asphalt and base together to resist shifting and settle cracks before they reach the surface. We've seen that this prevention of cracks and potholes can add years to your driveway's life.

Blocks Weed Growth and Plant Root Damage

Pesky weeds sprouting up through cracks and joints in pavement are more than just an eyesore. They actively cause further cracking and deterioration as they take root and spread. The roots expand and create more fissures in the asphalt. Paving fabric acts as an impenetrable barrier, blocking weeds from germinating and penetrating through to the base. This prevents invasive growth and root damage that can rapidly deteriorate asphalt.

Stops Water Infiltration and Subsurface Erosion

Water infiltration is one of the primary enemies of asphalt. As water seeps down into the base, it causes erosion and instability in the subsurface layers. This leads to depressed sections, gaps, and pits opening up in the pavement. Paving fabric is designed to allow water to drain away horizontally rather than vertically down into the base layers. Keeping moisture away preserves integrity and prevents erosion of the materials under the asphalt.

Increases Shear Strength

The engineering of paving fabric also increases the total shear strength of the asphalt surface area. This makes it more resistant to stresses and less likely to crack, deform, and warp under the pressures of traffic and weather over time. Stronger shear strength equates to greater durability.

Investing in high-quality paving fabric installation when you refresh your asphalt driveway or parking lot surfaces pays off exponentially in added years of seamless, crack-free performance. When you're ready to experience the benefits that paving fabric installation has, reach out to Asphalt Fabrics & Specialties for an estimate to add paving fabric to your surface. We look forward to hearing from you.