Residing in Arizona for over 45 years, we are used to this time of year where the state receives increased moisture and humidity from the southeast and the Gulf of Mexico. This weather pattern is called "Monsoon" which is Spanish for "season". It's that "season" again and the state can expect to receive increased amounts of rain (especially in the late afternoon and early evening) as a result. That is why addressing drainage issues within your community is so critical to the life of your pavement.
Since we are in a dryer climate, it is easy to often overlook the consequences that are created due to poor drainage in common and paved areas within your communities. Rarely do we see the ponding water or damage that result from rain events. Especially during this time of year, these problems come to light and sometimes in a dramatic way. Not only is standing water a nuisance to your residents, it is a major source of structural failure to your paved surfaces.
Water can and does percolate beneath asphalt. It penetrates between concrete and pavement. It can also be a major source of environmental issues like mosquitoes. Unfortunately, these items are generally ignored until it's too late and the damage has been done. Proper drainage off of pavement surfaces coupled with an ongoing maintenance plan will extend the life of your pavement for years. However, should the drainage concerns be overlooked, even with maintenance, your pavement life will suffer. Don't overlook the key signs of drainage problems within your community. They include staining of the pavement surface, silt and debris built up in spillways or catch basins, clogged drywells, clogged roof drains, landscape overtaking drainage release points within the community, and more.
Addressing and maintaining these areas will keep your "season" bright and your asphalt problems to a minimum. We encourage you to contact us to complete an onsite drainage inspection of your properties. The minor amount invested in this research could save your community substantially during "monsoon" time and throughout the year.