Standing puddles on asphalt pavement can be concerning, especially if it’s winter and it could turn into ice, or if it is summer and it could become a mosquito breeding ground. Standing water can become visible on new and old pavement alike; let’s take a look at these six causes of standing puddles on asphalt. If you need asphalt maintenance, Tri-State Paving is here to help!

1. Ruts, Depressions, and Potholes

Older pavement that has gotten a lot of heavy traffic over the years can develop ruts and depressions where tires have often tread. Older asphalt might also develop potholes, which start as cavities or cracks and break open. Patching can fix these isolated problems.

2. Incorrect Grading

Asphalt pavement must be sloped (graded) so that stormwater runoff will flow away from buildings toward the closest storm drainage system. If the contractor graded the pavement incorrectly, standing puddles can form. The installation will need to be fixed.

3. Groundwater Penetration

Not all moisture problems come from the clouds. Groundwater can cause problems for asphalt pavement, penetrating through the foundation and sublayers and causing the top layer to sink. As a result, rain can pool in the depression. The pavement will need replacing from the foundation up.

4. Soil Settling

If the soil settles enough and the foundation was not installed properly, the entire pavement can shift and crack, allowing water to pool on top of it. The entire installation will need to be redone.

5. Clogged Storm Drains

The standing water might not have to do with the asphalt pavement at all. If the floodwater is connected to a storm drain, a clogged storm drain could be to blame. Some people can unclog the drains themselves, but if you are unsure or you see moving flood waters, it’s best to stay away.

6. Incomplete Curing

Not all standing puddles on asphalt are problematic. If the asphalt is new, the surface tension with its oils and binders causes rainwater to lightly pool on the surface for the first few months at longest.

Receive Professional Paving Services with Tri-State Paving

Call Tri-State Paving. We’re a seasoned asphalt pavement company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you with asphalt, concrete, and hardscaping projects.

We refuse to sell hot air to our customers, and that’s why we have been around for over four decades. We listen, inform, educate, and then decide what is best for our customers’ project and budget. If any problems arise during construction, we keep our customers updated and respond to make the imperfect perfect.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt, or hardscaping work.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 

Tags: asphalt repair, asphalt standing water, puddles on asphalt

This entry was posted on Friday, May 29th, 2026 at 3:20 pm and is filed under Asphalt Paving. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.