Every parking lot experiences oil damage due to cars leaking engine oil. Or in some cases, a spill accident can leave a large area completely soaked with oil. Oil spots can cause permanent damage to the pavement if they are not removed. Many types of oils including petrol-based products, antifreeze, and even kitchen cooking oils damage pavement by absorbing into asphalt, causing it to weaken and rapidly deteriorate.
Solvents and primers are not an effective way to correct oil damage: they provide only a short-term solution to clean the area and help seal coat adhere to damaged pavement. When oil penetrates an asphalt surface, the only way to permanently correct the issue is to remove the oil-saturated asphalt.
Conventional mill and patch repair methods would be too costly and overkill for an oil spot repair. The infrared pavement patching method can properly correct an oil spill in a cost-effective and timely manner by heating the area removing the 2”-3” of oil-saturated surface material.
Test the Oil Spot to See if it Needs Repair
If an oil spot is new (less than 3 days old), it may not have had time to absorb it into the pavement. Try washing the oil away using hot water, detergent, and a soft broom. Once you’ve cleaned the oil as best you can, test the spot by scratching it with a screwdriver. If the pavement cracks or crumbles in any way, the material is already breaking down, you’ll need an infrared pavement patch.
Uncertain if you need an infrared pavement patch solution or seal coating? Contact one of our pavement repair specialists today for an estimate and free evaluation.
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We are the pavement problem solvers.
