Dirt Coming Through Asphalt: The Causes and Risks

When dirt, mud or weeds seep through asphalt pavement, it can be ugly, inconvenient and potentially dangerous. Dirt coming through your asphalt indicates asphalt and substructure damage, and it’s important to repair the issue. Keep reading to explore the problem and find potential solutions.

Why Dirt Through Asphalt Is a Serious Problem

Dirt creeping through your asphalt indicates moisture has penetrated the pavement and its gravel base, into the underlying soil.  It also can be a sign of an insufficient aggregate base as there is maybe little to no aggregate present, just the soils beneath.  

When moisture invades the soil base, it disturbs and displaces the dirt. The dirt might erode, wash out or be forced upward. These events threaten the pavement’s integrity and pose safety risks to drivers and pedestrians. As soon as you notice dirt or mud seeping through your asphalt, it’s time to take action.

Types of Damage Caused By Dirt Affecting Pavement

Dirt in your asphalt acts as a lubricant, making it easier for the asphalt to shift and crack. These occurrences may lead to multiple types of damage.

Potholes

Potholes form when traffic passes over areas with weakened bases. When the weak base cannot support the vehicle’s weight, the pavement collapses and forms a depression (the pothole). Potholes can quickly grow and deepen as more vehicles pass over damaged areas.

Fatigue Cracks

Fatigue cracks are interconnected lines that spread across an asphalt surface. They’re often called “alligator” or “lizard” cracks due to their frequently scaly appearance. If you don’t repair fatigue cracks, the asphalt can begin to chip away.

Blowouts

A blowout is a larger version of a pothole, usually spanning multiple feet and a significant portion of road space. Like potholes, blowouts occur when moisture weakens the gravel base. Spotting a blowout is a good sign that much of the base is compromised.

Reflection Cracks

If you place new pavement over existing cracks without addressing underlying damage or moisture issues, you risk reflection cracks. This is mirror-image damage that reappears on new surfaces placed over existing damage.

Block Cracks

Block cracks are larger versions of alligator cracks. They often occur on older lots as asphalt begins to shrink with age.

Upheaval

Moisture or heat trapped under asphalt can put pressure on the pavement. When the pressure becomes too great, it could force the asphalt upward, causing a rupture or upheaval. Upheavals create uneven, often undriveable surfaces.

Root Cracks

Root cracks aren’t caused by moisture intrusion itself, but by tree roots growing under pavement. However, root growth can allow more moisture intrusion under the base, increasing your risk of further damage.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes indicate severe moisture intrusion and soil erosion under your asphalt. They can rapidly expand and require immediate stabilization to avoid further damage to your pavement structure.

Rutting

These cracks occur along the wheel tracks (ruts) of passing traffic. Frequent traffic or heavy loads can exacerbate these damages and cause them to spread.

Shoving

Shoving appears as a crease, wrinkle or raised crack in the pavement. It often occurs when frequent heavy braking or starting in a certain area puts added stress on the top pavement. If the base and surface are already compromised by moisture, shoving may occur more easily.

Dirt In Asphalt: A Circular Problem

Something important to remember about dirt and moisture permeating your asphalt is that they can foster compounding problems. When these issues trigger problems like potholes, upheavals and fatigue cracks, they create additional avenues for new moisture to further damage your pavement. Therefore, the problem can repeat on itself as it spreads across your pavement. For this reason, it’s essential to repair asphalt damage quickly to prevent isolated problems from growing.

Regular asphalt maintenance, crack filling and sealing may help prevent moisture intrusion and keep dirt and mud from infiltrating your asphalt. If the damage has already been done, full depth replacement (FDR) and resurfacing is one of the only ways to fix the issue. Simply paving over the problem might not work, as dirt in your asphalt often signals problems with your base and sub-base. You’ll have to fix the underlying issues if you want to fix the surface problems.

Repair Your Asphalt With Raleigh Paving

If you’re unsure why dirt is coming through your asphalt, don’t leave the issue to chance. Raleigh Paving has the Triangle’s most trusted and experienced asphalt repair and replacement professionals. We can diagnose your issue and recommend effective and cost-friendly repairs to get your space back in good shape. Request your free quote today, and we’ll be happy to help.