G.P.E. Asphalt Paving & Sealcoating
Local roots, professional crews, and a reputation for clean, long-lasting work.
In the Lowcountry — from Beaufort and Bluffton to Lady’s Island, Port Royal, and the surrounding marsh-front communities — water is a constant part of daily life. Afternoon storms, king tides, tropical systems, and high humidity all create one unavoidable truth:
If your asphalt can’t drain properly, it won’t last.
Many homeowners and business owners think cracks or potholes are the first signs of asphalt failure, but those are really just symptoms. The real cause almost always comes back to one thing: poor drainage. In the Lowcountry’s soft soils and flood-prone landscapes, proper drainage is the single most important factor in maintaining strong, durable pavement.
Let’s break down why drainage matters so much — and how to protect your driveway or parking lot from water-related damage.
Asphalt is flexible and durable, but it was never designed to sit under standing water. Even a small drainage problem can lead to major issues.
Without proper drainage, water:
Seeps into tiny surface cracks
Erodes the foundation beneath the asphalt
Weakens the pavement’s structural integrity
Leads to potholes, soft spots, and sinking areas
Accelerates oxidation and surface wear
In the Lowcountry, where there’s more rainfall and higher water tables than inland areas, these problems develop faster and more aggressively.
Several geographic and environmental factors make drainage a unique concern here:
Much of Beaufort and Bluffton sits only a few feet above sea level. When the ground is saturated, asphalt has nowhere to drain.
Lowcountry soil doesn’t compact as tightly as clay-based inland soils — meaning water moves unpredictably beneath the surface.
King tides, heavy rains, and storm surges routinely create temporary flooding.
Hot days + heavy rains = rapid expansion and contraction, which worsens cracks.
When you combine all four, poor drainage turns into premature pavement failure.
Drainage issues are often visible before major damage appears. Watch for:
Standing water that lingers more than 24 hours
Water pooling near dips or depressions
Cracks forming in the same areas repeatedly
Edges that crumble or appear “washed out”
Soft or spongy areas underfoot
Moss or algae growth
Water flowing toward—rather than away from—your pavement
If you’ve spotted one or more of these signs, drainage is almost certainly the culprit.
Here’s what happens beneath the surface:
The foundation under your asphalt starts to wash out or soften, leading to dips, cracks, and collapse.
Water seeps into tiny fractures and expands during temperature swings, making cracks widen and multiply.
Soft baselayers eventually cave in — turning drainage issues into safety hazards and liability risks.
If water doesn’t drain properly, even a fresh coat of sealcoat can fail prematurely.
Poor drainage essentially cuts your pavement’s lifespan in half.
Fortunately, most drainage issues can be corrected with the right solutions.
Adjusting the pitch ensures water flows away from your pavement.
These redirect runoff to appropriate drainage areas.
A great solution for areas with constant pooling.
Prevents erosion around the sides of driveways and lots.
Strengthens weakened sections before resurfacing.
Once drainage is fixed, sealcoating protects the pavement from future damage.
In the Lowcountry, drainage problems don’t stay “small problems” for long.
Left unaddressed, they lead to:
Frequent potholes
Alligator cracking
Sinking pavement
Shortened asphalt lifespan
Higher long-term repair costs
Fixing drainage early is always cheaper than fixing structural damage later.
Whether you own a home, run a business, or manage an HOA, drainage should always be part of your asphalt maintenance plan in the Lowcountry. GPE Paving & Sealcoating specializes in solutions built specifically for coastal conditions — from proper grading and crack sealing to full drainage corrections and resurfacing.
Better drainage means longer-lasting asphalt, lower maintenance costs, and safer, more attractive property.