The Role of Proper Drainage in Pavement Longevity

While central Texas doesn’t get nearly as much rainfall as most other parts of the United States, any outdoor asphalt or concrete pavement you put on your property is bound to have precipitation—or some other liquid, like oil or gasoline—running over top of it at one point or another. If your pavement isn’t designed with an effective and efficient drainage system, even a little bit of moisture could wind up causing very big problems that are very expensive to address.

If you need help designing and installing new drainage systems under and around existing pavement, or just fine-tuning and maintaining a system you already have in place, our team can provide the high-quality service you need quickly and with total transparency through every step of the process. In the meantime, here are some of the most important roles that proper drainage can play in maximizing pavement longevity and, in the process, saving you a great deal of time and money in maintaining your property.

Preventing Water Penetration

Perhaps the single biggest danger that a lack of drainage can pose to concrete and asphalt surfaces is the possibility of water getting past the outermost layer and seeping into underlying support layers. Even a little bit of natural erosion—or buildup of ice crystals during cold weather, as discussed in more detail below—in the foundation under a road or sidewalk can lead to cracks, depressions, crumbling, and overall weakening of the pavement’s structural integrity. Even worse, this kind of damage is not easy to repair, to the point that tearing up and replacing the damaged pavement is often the best course of action.

Minimizing Surface Erosion

On top of being unsightly, standing water building up on top of a concrete or asphalt surface due to a lack of proper drainage can also cause serious structural damage to the pavement as a whole. Although it may not be visible to the naked eye while it’s happening, standing water degrades the pavement it’s covering up much faster than exposure to the sun’s radiation or even regular use from heavy vehicles does, making it much more likely that you’ll find yourself dealing with large cracks and potholes in pavement that should’ve lasted much longer.

Integrity Paving & Coatings Can Help Maximize Your Pavement’s Longevity With High-Quality Drainage Solutions

The role of proper drainage in pavement longevity is an immensely important one—and because of that, the job of ensuring your pavement drains properly is not one you should trust just anybody to handle. Fortunately, you have help available from dedicated local professionals who will form an honest partnership with you, rather than treating you as just another paying client. Call Integrity Paving & Coatings today to learn more about our area-leading logistics, communications, quality, and service after the sale.