# Water Bleeding and Pumping

Water bleeding (left two photos) occurs when water seeps out of joints or cracks or through an excessively porous HMA layer.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/pavement-management/pavement-distresses/water-bleeding-and-pumping/
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

## Description

Water bleeding (left two photos) occurs when water seeps out of joints or cracks or through an excessively porous HMA layer. Pumping (right-most photo) occurs when water and fine material is ejected from underlying layers through cracks in the HMA layer under moving loads.

![Water bleeding.](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/SR_7_to_Mt_Rainier_1.jpg)

![Water bleeding up close.](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/DSC00023.jpg)

![CTB base pumping.](https://pavementinteractive.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/Pumping1.jpg)

*Figures 1–3.* Water bleeding. Water bleeding up close. CTB base pumping.

## Problem

Decreased skid resistance, an indication of high pavement porosity (water bleeding), decreased structural support (pumping)

## Possible Causes

Several including:

- Porous pavement as a result of inadequate compaction during construction or poor mix design
- High water table
- Poor drainage

## Repair

Water bleeding or pumping should be investigated to determine the root cause. If the problem is a high water table or poor drainage, subgrade drainage should be improved. If the problem is a porous mix (in the case of water bleeding) a fog seal or [slurry seal](https://pavementinteractive.org/glossary/slurry-seal/) may be applied to limit water infiltration.