Asphalt Repair or Patching – In low areas or raveled areas, it may be possible to perform a surface
repair commonly known as “skin patching”. This procedure should only be used after making certain that the new
patch will not interfere with drainage. The area to be patched is tacked with a coating of SS1H emulsion over
the entire damaged area. Hot mix asphalt is then placed over the tacked surface and compacted.
Remove & Replace – Deteriorated areas may require complete removal and replacement for an effective repair. In
this type of pavement repair, the distressed area is seeing cut approximately one foot around the perimeter
into solid, undamaged pavement. The asphalt is then removed and the base is graded and compacted. Hot mix
asphalt is placed into the hole, raked or installed through a paver and compacted flush to the surrounding
surface.
Asphalt Overlay – An asphalt overlay is simply the process of installing a new layer of hot mix asphalt
directly over existing asphalt. In order to be a candidate for overlay, a pavement should be relatively sound
without large areas of base failure. Prior to overlay, pavement repairs and transitions must be made. Cracks
should be filled with rubberized crack sealer, and a tack coat applied over the entire surface. A new layer of
asphalt is then placed. An asphalt overlay is the least costly of the reconstruction techniques, but it has
definite drawbacks. These include a limited service life, elevation considerations, inability to make drainage
corrections, and a tendency to show reflective cracking in a relatively short period of time.
Fabric Overlay – Fabric overlay is a way to delay reflective cracking, although it will not prevent such
cracking. Prior to placing a new layer of hot mix asphalt, a geo-textile fabric is embedded in liquid asphalt
binder over the entire surface. The fabric/binder combination forms a membrane that helps keep water out of
the base. The cost is approximately one-third greater than a basic overlay.