Key takeaways
- Surface wear — fading, raveling, small cracks — is usually handled with crack filling, sealing and restriping.
- Alligator cracking, recurring potholes and sunken areas usually mean the pavement has failed there and needs to be removed and replaced.
- Water is the common thread. Keep it out of cracks and off the pavement.
- Concrete curbs, gutters and walkways are part of the system; damaged ones cause drainage problems and trip hazards.
Common problems at a glance
| What you see | What it usually means | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Gray, dry, faded asphalt | The surface is weathering and oxidizing | Seal coat, after cracks are filled |
| Loose stones; rough, pitted surface | Raveling — aggregate particles are coming loose and the surface is wearing away | Slurry seal on a sound base; patching where it is severe |
| Individual cracks or a pattern of large blocks | Aging and temperature movement; water can now reach the base | Crack filling, hot- or cold-applied |
| Alligator (fatigue) cracking | The asphalt has broken into small pieces under repeated traffic; often a base or drainage problem underneath | Remove and replace the failed area |
| Potholes | Water got in and the material broke out under traffic | Patch; if potholes return, remove and replace |
| Sunken areas, ruts, puddles after rain | Settlement, a weak base or grading that doesn’t drain | Remove and replace with corrected grades; concrete swales or flowlines where water needs a path |
| Shiny, sticky patches in hot weather | Bleeding — excess asphalt binder at the surface | Have it evaluated before sealing; the fix depends on the cause |
| Faded stall lines, arrows and markings | Normal wear from traffic and sun | Restriping and stenciling |
| Lifted or broken sidewalks, curbs or gutters | Settlement, roots or impact damage | Concrete grinding, or removal and repair |
Distress names follow FHWA’s Distress Identification Manual, which defines fatigue cracking, block cracking, raveling and bleeding.
Water is usually the real problem
FHWA’s slurry seal checklist associates alligator cracking with subgrade failure or inadequate subsurface drainage. Cracks let water into the base, a wet base loses strength, and traffic then breaks the surface apart. Filling cracks early and making sure water drains off the pavement — through proper slope, gutters, swales and flowlines — protects the pavement more than any coating can.
When to act sooner rather than later
- Potholes or broken edges in drive aisles and entrances, where vehicles and people are constantly moving.
- Trip hazards on sidewalks, ramps and paths of travel.
- Missing or faded fire lane, stop bar or accessible parking markings.
- Alligator cracking that is spreading — it tends to become potholes.
City Service Paving handles asphalt, concrete, and striping and signage, so one estimate can cover the whole property. Request an estimate or see the overlay vs. remove-and-replace guide.
Sources
- Distress Identification Manual for the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program — Glossary (opens in a new tab) — Federal Highway Administration
- Slurry Seal Application Checklist (Pavement Preservation Checklist Series) (opens in a new tab) — Federal Highway Administration
- Pavement Preservation (Federal-aid Essentials for Local Public Agencies) (opens in a new tab) — Federal Highway Administration