Asphalt is meant to last. When it’s poured out of a truck and sealed up by an asphalt sealer Pittsburgh PA, it’s going to be there for the long haul. Whether it’s used as a road, sidewalk or something else, it’s made to endure lots of wear and tear. However, even asphalt is destructible, and the longer it stays in the weather, the more susceptible it is to damage. Asphalt has cars, huge semis and snow on it year-round in some places, and all these elements play a role in hurting its durability. While you won’t see changes right away, longevity produces results. Here are two hindrances to asphalt’s lifespan.

1. Standing Water

You don’t like stepping in a standing water puddle when you get out of your car, and asphalt doesn’t like the water sitting on top of its surface either. The water does a lot of damage the longer it sits on top of asphalt, causing the asphalt to break down and ultimately crack or get holes in it. If your vehicle’s fallen into a dreaded pothole, standing water that’s been there for years may be to blame because the asphalt became too weak and caved in.

2. Huge, heavy vehicles

Country roads see these types of vehicles a lot more because of the tractors and large machinery that use the roads. Asphalt is very strong, but too much excess pressure on the asphalt can weaken it, causing cracks, divots and holes. Like anything in life, the more wear and tear it goes through, the less strength it has. Country roads usually stay in “injured” states longer than highways because of less funding for these roads.

Some places have better roads than others, and the environment and amount of traffic they receive all contribute to how durable, safe and long-lasting asphalt will be. The smoother the asphalt, the smoother ride you’ll have getting where you need to go.