If you notice that the asphalt pavement is succumbing to the various damaging elements of the winter season, then you may also notice that not all of the cracks in your pavement look the same. That’s because they’re not. There are actually a variety of cracks that result from different types of pavement failures.
One of the most common types of asphalt crack is fatigued crack, also commonly known as alligator crack. Alligator cracks are aptly named because they resemble the dry and fractured skin of their namesakes. There are a few culprits that are to blame for this type of crack: use of insufficient foundational materials, a meager drainage system, and harsh weather conditions. The best way to fix alligator cracking is with a full depth patch-up.
Block crack is exactly what it sounds like: giant rectangular or square-shaped cracks in the pavement. This is typically caused by a few different factors. Either the aggregate was too dry when it was originally applied, or it dried out too much over time and needs to be replaced. Low or freezing temperatures can also be to blame because they cause significant shrinkage in the asphalt aggregate. Block crack can easily be fixed with a thin overlay.
