Why Does Asphalt Crack?
Understanding What Causes Asphalt Cracking
Asphalt can crack for several reasons, including water penetration, movement within the pavement, repeated vehicle loading, drainage problems and the gradual deterioration of the surface over time.
A small crack does not necessarily mean an asphalt driveway, car park or pavement has failed. However, cracks provide an opening for water to enter the pavement and can develop into more significant damage if the underlying cause is not addressed.
Understanding why asphalt cracks can help property owners identify deterioration early and determine whether crack sealing, localised asphalt repairs or more extensive work may be required.
JB’s Asphalt provides asphalt crack sealing, repairs and maintenance for residential and commercial asphalt surfaces throughout Perth.
What Are the Main Causes of Asphalt Cracking?
There isn’t one single cause of asphalt cracking.
The condition of an asphalt surface is influenced by the pavement beneath it, the amount and type of traffic it carries, exposure to water and weather, drainage and its overall age.
Common causes include:
- Water penetration
- Movement in the pavement or underlying base
- Heavy or repeated vehicle traffic
- Poor drainage
- Surface ageing and deterioration
- Failure around previously damaged areas
- Stress along pavement edges
In some cases, several of these factors contribute to cracking at the same time.
How Does Water Cause Asphalt to Crack?
Water is one of the major contributors to asphalt deterioration.
Once a crack forms, water can enter beneath the asphalt surface. This can affect the pavement materials below and contribute to movement or weakening of the underlying structure.
As vehicles continue travelling over the weakened area, existing cracks can become larger and additional deterioration may develop.
This is one reason early crack sealing and asphalt maintenance can be important. Restricting water penetration can help slow the deterioration process.
Can Heat and Weather Cause Asphalt Cracking?
Asphalt surfaces are continually exposed to changing environmental conditions.
Heating and cooling can cause movement within pavement materials, while prolonged weather exposure contributes to the gradual ageing of the asphalt surface.
As an asphalt surface becomes older and less flexible, it can become more susceptible to cracking when combined with traffic, pavement movement and other stresses.
Weather may therefore contribute to cracking, but it is often only one part of the overall cause.
Can Ground Movement Cause Asphalt Cracks?
Yes.
Asphalt relies on a stable pavement structure beneath the surface. Movement or deterioration in the underlying materials can place stress on the asphalt above.
If the base moves, settles or loses stability, cracking or deformation may become visible at the surface.
This is particularly important when assessing recurring cracks. Continually treating the visible crack may not provide a long-term solution if movement beneath the asphalt is causing the problem.
Does Heavy Traffic Cause Asphalt to Crack?
Repeated vehicle loading places stress on asphalt pavement.
Commercial car parks, industrial areas and accessways can experience concentrated traffic movements, turning vehicles and heavier loads.
Over time, these forces can contribute to pavement deterioration, particularly where the existing asphalt or underlying base has already weakened.
Residential driveways generally experience different loading conditions, but repeated vehicle movements can still contribute to deterioration as the surface ages.
Can Poor Drainage Damage Asphalt?
Yes.
Effective drainage helps move water away from asphalt surfaces and pavement structures.
Where water regularly pools on the surface or enters through cracks, the risk of deterioration beneath the asphalt can increase.
Poor drainage can contribute to:
- Surface deterioration
- Cracking
- Weakening of the pavement base
- Pothole development
- Localised pavement failure
If cracking repeatedly occurs in an area affected by water, the drainage conditions should be considered as part of assessing the problem.
Why Do Asphalt Driveways Crack?
Residential asphalt driveways can develop cracks because of ageing, water penetration, pavement movement, vehicle loading and deterioration around the edges of the driveway.
A small number of isolated cracks may be suitable for preventative crack sealing.
More widespread cracking, sinking or repeated failures can indicate that deterioration extends beyond the surface and should be assessed before determining the appropriate repair.
Why Do Commercial Car Parks Crack?
Commercial car parks experience frequent vehicle movements and can have concentrated areas of traffic around entrances, exits, turning areas and frequently used parking sections.
Cracking can develop because of:
- Repeated traffic loading
- Water penetration
- Pavement movement
- Drainage issues
- Existing surface deterioration
- Heavy vehicle use
Regular inspections and early maintenance can help identify cracking before it develops into larger areas of pavement damage.
What Happens If Asphalt Cracks Aren’t Repaired?
An untreated crack can allow water to penetrate beneath the asphalt.
As deterioration progresses, a relatively small surface problem can potentially contribute to:
- Wider cracks
- Loose or broken asphalt
- Surface deformation
- Potholes
- Localised pavement failure
Not every crack will develop in exactly the same way, but addressing suitable cracks early can help reduce water penetration and slow further deterioration.
Can Asphalt Cracks Be Repaired?
Yes. Many asphalt cracks can be treated.
Crack sealing is commonly used as a preventative maintenance method where the type and condition of the cracking make it suitable.
The purpose is to seal the opening and reduce water penetration into the pavement.
Where cracking is associated with more substantial pavement failure, however, simply sealing the crack may not be sufficient. Localised asphalt repairs or more extensive restoration may be required.
When Is Cracking a Sign of a Bigger Problem?
The pattern and extent of cracking can provide useful information about the condition of an asphalt surface.
Signs that deterioration may extend beyond an isolated surface crack include:
- Extensive cracking across a large area
- Repeated cracking in the same location
- Cracking combined with sinking or deformation
- Loose or breaking asphalt
- Potholes developing around cracked areas
- Multiple areas of pavement failure
These conditions can indicate that the pavement beneath the asphalt should also be considered when deciding how to repair the surface.
Can Asphalt Maintenance Help Prevent Cracking From Getting Worse?
Preventative maintenance can help slow the progression of asphalt deterioration.
This includes identifying cracks early, reducing water penetration, repairing potholes and addressing localised damage before it affects larger areas.
Regular maintenance is particularly useful for commercial car parks and other asphalt surfaces where deterioration can become progressively more expensive to address if it is ignored.
Asphalt Crack Repairs Across Perth
JB’s Asphalt provides crack sealing, asphalt repairs and preventative asphalt maintenance throughout the Perth metropolitan area.
Based in Forrestfield, we work on residential driveways, commercial car parks and other asphalt surfaces requiring repair or maintenance.
If your asphalt has started cracking and you’re unsure whether it requires crack sealing or a more substantial repair, contact JB’s Asphalt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cause of asphalt cracking?
There is no single cause. Asphalt cracking can result from water penetration, pavement movement, traffic loading, drainage problems, ageing or a combination of these factors.
Does water make asphalt cracks worse?
It can. Water entering through cracks can affect the pavement beneath the asphalt and contribute to further deterioration.
Should small asphalt cracks be repaired?
Addressing suitable cracks early can help restrict water penetration and prevent minor deterioration from developing into a larger problem.
Can asphalt cracks be sealed?
Yes. Crack sealing can be used for suitable cracks as a preventative maintenance treatment to reduce water penetration and slow deterioration.
Why does my asphalt keep cracking in the same place?
Repeated cracking can indicate movement or deterioration beneath the asphalt rather than a problem limited to the visible surface.
Do cracks mean asphalt needs to be replaced?
Not necessarily. Isolated cracking can often be treated or repaired. Widespread cracking combined with pavement failure may require a more extensive solution.
Can potholes start from asphalt cracks?
Cracking can allow water into the pavement and contribute to deterioration that may eventually lead to potholes, although potholes can develop through several different pavement failure processes.
Related Asphalt Information and Services
If your asphalt has already started cracking, JB’s Asphalt provides Crack Sealing, Asphalt Repairs and Asphalt Maintenance to address deterioration and help protect the surrounding pavement. Homeowners can also explore Asphalt Driveway Repairs, while businesses and property managers can learn more about Car Park Asphalt Repairs.
For further information, Can Asphalt Be Repaired Instead of Replaced? explains when localised repair may be appropriate, How Long Do Asphalt Repairs Last? covers the factors affecting repair longevity, and Asphalt Repair Costs explains what determines the cost of repairing damaged asphalt.