When cracks are visible in the form of alligator cracking, potholes, sags, ruts, depressions and lateral displacement, the best option is to remove and replace patch the failed area. This process consists of saw cutting the area where structural damage has occurred, removing the area and patching it back with hot mixed asphalt.
Another option for damaged asphalt may be to perform and skin or surface patch. This process consists of applying a thin hot mixed asphalt patch on the surface of existing pavement where it has been deteriorated or weathered. A variation of skin or surface patching is called fabric skin patching. Fabric skin patches are regular skin patches placed over a fabric inner layer between the patch and the original pavement to add longevity to the patch.