Traditional paving is capable of withstanding lots of weight and constant long-term use. However, many things slowly wear down on the pavement and cause problems over time. This article will cover how the UV light from the sun can cause damage to traditional paving.

Drying Pavement

UV light from the sun transfers energy and heat, which means that things in the light will slowly dry up as time goes on. While paving may seem dry, it still relies on a good amount of water to keep its shape. Over time, the UV light will dry up the pavement, which affects the strength of the pavement and leads to quicker wear and tear.

Cracks and Warping

The drying of the pavement in the UV light can be a large issue for parking lots or other large pavement projects. Another issue is the heat that comes with the light. The pavement will heat up when in bright light for a long time, which expands the pavement and causes small shifts in the material. This leads to warping and cracks as the light changes the pavement permanently.

Other Options

When dealing with UV light and the dangers it poses to traditional pavement, you have a few choices. There are many coatings and maintenance methods that you can use to offset the effects of UV light. You can also try to purchase other materials and use different paving methods when laying down your driveway. For example, permeable rock is a great material for your pavement that prevents water buildup and is more resistant to UV lights. Additionally, good permeable pavement holds its color while under UV light, which can yellow other paving options over time.

UV lighting is a real problem for many states and towns, as people need to deal with the impact it has on their pavement. This is part of the reason why some regions with more UV light can have bigger issues with cracking and dry pavement. You’ll really want to consider how you want to deal with the problem when looking at the maintenance of your own pavement.