A Complete Guide to Modern Private Road Maintenance

Ever since the ancient civilisations of the Romans and Greeks, we have continued to build more and more impressive road networks. Make no mistake, roads have shaped our future and have been a large factor in our success as a species. They have allowed us to trade with one another, move large distances, and discover new lands. Nowadays, cars are by far the most popular forms of transport and roads have spread across the entire globe. In this blog, we’ll discuss how you can maintain your private road throughout the year so it is safe and practical. So, keep reading to find out more.

Maintaining your roads is by far one of the most important aspects of land management. Put it this way, a poor road surface can damage your vehicles and leave you with incredibly expensive mechanical bills. The trick with effective road maintenance is to keep up to date with it and not let small issues turn into larger problems. As we’re sure you know, there are a wide variety of issues which might happen to your roads over time and in this blog, we will try and cover all of the main scenarios. So, from potholes to road surfacing, we’ll talk through it all.



What are the causes of road damage?

Despite tarmac being one of the world's strongest materials and products which can doubtless handle huge weights and extreme conditions, there are some scenarios which can have a damaging effect on it. Usually, these issues only happen in the most extreme circumstances, but you should still be prepared to deal with issues if they do affect you. So, what are these conditions and how will they affect your road surface? While you may never be exposed to many of these conditions, it is important to learn how your road surface would react. Well, in this section we’ll discuss the different scenarios which could damage your road surface.

Heavy traffic

Right, before we dive into why heavy traffic can have a damaging effect on your road surface, let's get the record straight. Yes, we know, tarmac surely should be one of the materials that can take the weight of consistent heavy traffic. Though we admit that our motorway roads sustain a huge amount of heavy traffic every day, they do still get damaged from this on a regular basis. The key issue is consistency. If your road has heavy vehicles on it often, then your road will witness a fair amount of surface-level damage.

The damage which you could suffer can range from fairly light issues to severe damage that may cost you a significant bill. One of the main problems which you will see if you have a significant number of heavy vehicles using your road is depressions in the surface. These bumps on the road can range from minor surface-level damage to large holes that can even cause harm to the vehicles. Though we’re sure you’ll be glad to know that these problems are fairly easy to solve. All you need to do is keep an eye on your road surface and make sure that you act when issues start.

Water

There is no question that water is one of the most damaging things to road surfaces. Admittedly, water may seem fairly harmless, but it's the consistency of road surfaces exposure to it that makes it so dangerous. All you need to do is look at rock valleys and river beds to see how much force water has and what erosion can do over time. Water damage can affect roads in many different ways, but one thing is for sure: we can’t stop the rain. The British weather is notoriously unpredictable, but rain is certainly one of the most common forests throughout the year.

One of the most common issues which rain can cause to roads is the general deterioration of the surface. Some common signs of this will be broken-up tarmac on the edge of roads. Though you’ll be grateful to hear that these kinds of issues are fairly easy to fix and they won’t cost a huge amount of money either. Though, there is one other problem, that consistent rain can cause. The dreaded pothole has become so common in the UK that it holds a genuine place in popular culture. Potholes usually form when rain finds its way into the surface and weakens the structural integrity of the tarmac.

Sunlight

While this may seem far-fetched, sunlight will cause a fair amount of damage to your road if you don’t maintain your surface regularly. Essentially, the ultraviolet rays which come from the sun break down the binder in asphalt over time. As the name suggests, this binder helps to keep the tarmac together. When this binder breaks down, it leaves the surface far weaker, so the road breaks down and becomes more like gravel. As you might expect, this can be quite dangerous for cars and vehicles which use the road. So, you should make sure to keep an eye on the surface of your road throughout the year.

There are a few other things which can damage your road's surface, but the key takeaway from this section is to keep on top of your road's condition. Much like our own health, you will find it much easier to treat the issues with your road if you catch them early. After all, the problems will not have developed into larger situations yet, which will make the repair job easier.

How to maintain your road

Maintaining your road's surface, of course, is vital for both the condition of the surface and the safety of the road users. There are a variety of different challenges which you will face over the course of the year, from cold wet weather to warm dry days in August. Though, if you keep your road in pristine condition, you will reduce the chances of any hefty repair bills or nasty accidents. So, keep reading to find out how you can maintain your road throughout the year.

Gritting

Over the course of the year in the UK, your road will probably be exposed to extreme conditions ranging from mild ice right through to heavy snowfall. In these situations, it is vital that you grit your roads to ensure that the surface is safe for drivers and protected from the elements. If you leave your road without grit when the weather turns cold, then you will risk disasters such as collisions, crashes, or long-term road damage. With gritting services, you can ensure that your roads are well-maintained all year round. So, what else can you do to keep your roads safe?

Resurfacing

Roads like much physical infrastructure won’t last forever without regular maintenance and care. Of course, most of the time, they will be just fine on their own, but you should carry out a few regular maintenance jobs to keep the surface safe. Resurfacing is one of these jobs which you will need to carry out at least once a year to ensure that the road is safe. Admittedly, you won’t always have to resurface the entire road, but you should at least check if there are any areas which need particular care and attention.

Clearance

The UK weather is famous for a few things but mainly its inconsistency, wind, and rain. Now, while we have all come to make light of this unfortunate reality, it does cause a few issues which must be dealt with. Wind and rain can be damaging to structures, but it is also a constant issue for our roads. One of the main issues which the wind causes is debris on the road. Debris can, as we’re sure you know, cause obstructions to road users, which may lead to safety concerns or leave the road damaged. So, you should make sure that you keep your road clear as much as possible.

If you need a gritting company, then here at GMCB Ltd we can help. We have many years of experience in the industry and can certainly help with any gritting issues which you may be having. Feel free to contact our experienced and friendly team today to learn more about our professional service.