What causes Asphalt to fail?

Assuming that the initial asphalt pavement was designed and constructed properly, the primary cause of failure is the penetration of water into the asphalt base. Oxidation of the pavement surface begins this process which caused the asphalt to dry and become brittle.

This oxidation leads to the erosion of the top layer of fine particles and the appearance of larger stones and small cracks on the surface.  If left untreated, these cracks grow over time and eventually allow water to penetrate to the base of the pavement.

In short, your Asphalt Pavement will fail because of AIR & WATER, unless you are proactive to maintain the surface & extend the life of the asphalt.  If you want to keep your overall costs down, you will need to implement a plan to maintain your asphalt pavement before it has to be replaced!