Paving

Asphalt is usually thought of in regards to highways, but what many people do not know is that asphalt pavement is being utilized in a variety of different projects because of its durability, cost- effectiveness, and simplicity of construction, not to mention safety.

What is meant by a "paved" parking lot? For some, a light chip sealcoat is considered paving. For others, paving is four or more inches of bituminous asphalt or "hot mix." The primary purpose of a pavement is to protect the sub-grade. As the loads get heavier, the pavement thickness must be increased. Generally speaking, bituminous concrete (hot mix asphalt) has little real load-bearing capacity of its own until it reaches a thickness of at least two inches. We recommend 3-6 inches of road material base, and at least 3 inches of asphalt after compaction.

Asphalt Removal and Replacement

If an asphalt surface has been neglected and water infiltration through cracks and holes have begun to undermine the substrate, the most effective form of repair would then be to remove and replace it.

This process consists of several important steps to assure that the repair is performed properly.

• We start by square cutting the perimeters of the deteriorated asphalt at the specified depth.
• We then excavate the deteriorated asphalt and any unsuitable subbase material and load the material onto waiting dump trucks.
• The material is then hauled off site and recycled or properly disposed.
• If there is existing stone base, we will then compact it to ensure a solid foundation for the rest of the repair process.
• A tack coat is then applied to the edges of the perimeters.
• The next step involves the placement and compaction process. This is done by installing hot asphalt mix and raking the patch smooth and flat with asphalt lutes, or by placing with an asphalt paving machine.
• The asphalt is then compacted to lower air voids so that air and moisture will not permeate the pavement which can reduce its durability. It can also provide inadequate expansion which will make it unstable. We use either a vibratory plate and/or multi-ton vibratory roller during the compaction process.

The cost for such work depends upon the job's location, the amount of grading and sub-grade work required, and other site specific factors.

To avoid the expenses involved with asphalt removal and replacement, it is generally prudent to maintain a pavement maintenance plan that includes timely cracksealing, sealcoating and patching.

As an alternative to removal and replacement, asphalt resurfacing can be a cost effective repair. The determining factor is the degree of deterioration of your current pavement. If the sub-grade layers and base asphalt layers are still intact, your lot is a good candidate for asphalt resurfacing.

Prior to resurfacing we begin by preparing the area.

• We start by cleaning and removing the area of all unnecessary debris before applying a tack coat.
• Any areas which are badly cracked up (alligatored) and are unsound must be removed and replaced.
• Hot asphalt is then installed to the specified depth and compacted with a multi-ton vibratory roller to guarantee proper compaction.

Options

Some options that may be included with asphalt resurfacing are:
• Petromat Overlay

This non-woven petroleum-based fabric is used to retard reflective cracking between the existing pavement and the newly installed asphalt surface. This fabric also acts as a waterproofing membrane. After existing pavement has been prepared, liquid asphalt cement is applied prior to the Petromat application. After the installation of petromat hot asphalt is then applied to the prepared area at a lesser price than having to remove and replace the entire asphalt area.

In low and sunken areas, hot asphalt is installed at various depths to adjust pitch to proper grades while increasing parking lot strength.

In areas requiring the resurface to tie into other existing surfaces (i.e., concrete, etc.) asphalt is removed along the perimeter to allow proper depth of asphalt on the edge.

For smaller areas not in need of complete resurfacing, asphalt overlay is another possible solution.
After preparation of the areas to be overlaid, tack coat is applied prior to asphalt installation to the specified depth and compacted with a vibratory plate and/or a multi-ton vibratory roller. This solution might be used on a pavement where the surface is deteriorated but not badly cracked up.

Asphalt Pothole Repair

Cold, harsh winters with the freeze thaw cycle is the scourge of many parking lots and driveways.

One way to practice prevention is by sealing cracks before water has a chance to penetrate and freeze.
  (See our Cracksealing Services.)

Facts you should know about Your Newly Paved Asphalt

As soon as the freshly laid hot asphalt pavement mix begins to cool, so also begins the aging process which will eventually rob the pavement of its life. When the oxygen in the air and water combine with the asphaltic binder of the pavement, a chemical change takes place. At first, this process is necessary for the pavement to become hard and firm. Later, if this process is not arrested, a complete deterioration of the asphaltic binder will take place and reduce the pavement to a layer of loose stone.

Many harmful factors contribute to this deterioration: Gas, oil, sun oxidation, salt, water penetration and cold weather. Protect your investment by sealcoating the asphalt pavement with an asphalt emulsion sealcoat, after a curing period of at least 3 months. Sealcoating will protect the pavement against all these destructive factors.