If your asphalt pavement is beginning to show signs of wear and tear, you may be considering an asphalt overlay. An asphalt overlay can be a great way to extend the life of your pavement without having to completely replace it. But before you make this potentially costly decision, it’s important to understand all aspects of an asphalt overlay – the good, the bad and the ugly. Keep reading for everything you need to know about asphalt overlays. 

The Good 

An asphalt overlay is a great way to build on top of your existing pavement while extending its lifespan significantly – up to 10 years depending on conditions like weather, traffic levels and more. An asphalt overlay is also much less expensive than a complete replacement since the existing pavement can remain in place. Additionally, overlays are often fast and easy since they require minimal disruption to your property – no excavation necessary. Finally, overlays many times look like a brand-new pavement surface.

The Bad  

The biggest downside of an asphalt overlay is that it cannot correct any underlying problems with your pavement such as improper drainage or subgrade failure which could cause further issues down the road if not addressed properly first. Additionally, if there is too much deterioration in certain areas then a full replacement may still be necessary. Finally, an overlay has to be installed at an appropriate thickness. If there is not enough room in regards to your existing infrastructure such as curbs and gutters, they may need to be relocated or replaced.

The Ugly  

When done improperly, an asphalt overlay can actually cause more damage than good. Poorly installed overlays are prone to cracking and premature failure, which could ultimately lead to the need for a full replacement anyway. This is why it’s important to choose a contractor with experience in asphalt overlays who knows how to properly install and maintain your new surface. 

Final Thoughts

Asphalt overlays can be a great choice when looking for ways to extend the life of your existing pavement without replacing it completely. However, there are some downsides that must be considered before making this decision such as potential hidden underlying issues that could cause further damage down the road or regular maintenance requirements for long-term success that could become costly over time if not done properly. Ultimately though, if done correctly an asphalt overlay can provide many years of service at a fraction of the cost compared to full replacement so they should definitely be taken into consideration when looking at all available options!