Bleeding
Bleeding is a film of bituminous material on the pavement surface that creates a shiny, glass like, reflecting surface that usually becomes quite sticky. Bleeding is caused by excessive amounts of asphaltic cement or tars in the mix, or low air void content, or both. It occurs when asphalt fills the voids of the mix during hot weather, and then expands out onto the surface of the pavement. Since the bleeding process is not reversible during cold weather, asphalt or tar will accumulate on the surface.
| Distress Example | Description |
|---|---|
![Photo showing a small area (say 20 sf [2 square meters]) of an asphalt pavement surface where asphalt binder material is visible on the pavement's surface.](ac-bleeding-closeup.jpg) | No degrees of severity are defined. It is sufficient to indicate that bleeding exists. |