The Atlantic hurricane season opens June 1, but Florida’s heaviest pavement stress usually starts in mid-July. By that point we’ve absorbed 6-8 weeks of afternoon thunderstorms, a couple of named systems, and the highest rainfall totals of the year. It’s also the last good window – before August-September peak hurricane risk – to inspect pavement and schedule preventive repairs.
This is a field checklist for general contractors, facility managers, and FDOT IDIQ subs walking pavement during the July inspection window.
What to look for, in order of urgency
1. Standing water 24+ hours after rain. This is the single highest-priority finding. Standing water on asphalt that persists past 24 hours indicates failed drainage, settled sub-base, or pavement deflection. Mark the location, note the depth, and prioritize for repair before next storm event.
2. Edge cracking and pavement raveling at drainage points. Where water flows off the pavement (curb inlets, edge drains, shoulder transitions), look for asphalt edge raveling – small aggregate visibly loose at the pavement edge. This precedes pothole formation by 30-60 days.
3. Alligator cracking patterns. Interconnected, multi-directional cracking that resembles alligator hide. This is structural failure – water has reached the base and the pavement is flexing on a weakened sub-grade. Patches and sealcoat won’t fix this; it needs to be programmed for mill-and-resurface.
4. Joint failures between pavement sections. On parking lots especially, look at the seams between original pavement and any patches placed within the past 3 years. Joint failure (separation, cracking, height differential) is common after the first wet season.
5. Pothole precursors. Round depressions, slight surface deflection under foot pressure, or visible aggregate loss at high-traffic points. These will become potholes within the next 30-45 days under continued wet conditions.
What NOT to worry about
A few things that look concerning but aren’t urgent:
- Surface map cracking (fine cracks in the wearing course only, not extending into the base) – cosmetic, fix with sealcoat at the next preservation cycle
- Asphalt color variation after heavy rain – temporary, related to moisture content; will resolve in 24-48 hours
- Tire-mark “scrubbing” at turn-in points – surface wear; not structural
The documentation that matters
If you’re inspecting pavement under contract, document each finding with:
- Location (GPS coordinates or station number)
- Photo (close-up + wider context shot)
- Estimated severity (cosmetic / preventive / corrective / emergency)
- Recommended repair approach
- Estimated repair cost or timeline
For FDOT IDIQ work, this documentation feeds the next task order. For private property work, it becomes the basis for the budget conversation with the owner.
What VLJ does in July
Our maintenance crews run scheduled inspection routes on the pavement we maintain under contract throughout July. We also accept call-outs from general contractors and property managers who want a second set of eyes on a site before peak hurricane risk hits in August-September.
If you’ve got pavement in Florida you’d like inspected before the heart of hurricane season, reach out. Best window is mid-July through early August.
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Related Resources
- Our Services – Pavement maintenance, sealcoating, and emergency repair across Florida.
- Weather and the Worksite – Planning for the Unpredictable
- Why Your Roads and Pavement Need Sealcoating
Need a mid-season pavement inspection in Florida? Talk to VLJ Construction Services.
