Punchouts and loss of skid resistance have been treated successfully through the use of thin HMA overlays. There are several theories as to the reason for the great success of these thin overlays on pavements experiencing punchouts. The principal reasons usually include that a new smooth surface reduces dynamic loads from trucks driving over rough pavement, and that the new HMA helps keep water from penetrating to the base. These reasons may be true, but it is essential to keep surface water from infiltrating into a CRCP that has significant punchouts. Little or no credit is given to the added structural capacity from the overlay.

As a CRCP ages, it may start developing punchouts, which require a full-depth repair. The HMA overlay will not treat any area where a punchout has started to form. It is essential to perform a full-depth repair of any likely punchout prior to overlaying. If punchouts have developed, it is likely that surface water (rain) infiltrating to the base has greatly contributed to the formation of the punchouts. For the overlay to be successful, the underlying factors causing the distress need to be treated. In this case, the overlay needs to keep any surface water from getting to the base. This requires either a seal coat or a dense graded hot-mix with low permeability. Asphalt rubber seals have had good success. A higher permeability hot-mix, such as a permeable friction course (PFC), may be used as a surfacing if there is something under it that will prevent water infiltration.