Best wishes for a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and spectacular success!
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Deciding Between Asphalt Paving and Concrete?
If you're thinking about paving a parking lot, driveway or road, and can't decide between asphalt paving and concrete paving, this article is for you!
Where concrete was once the preferred method for paving roads and parking lots, today, asphalt paving is the preferred choice.
Let's take a look at how concrete and asphalt are made to compare and contrast the features and benefits of each type of paving.
Concrete is made using crushed rock and sand aggregate, cement and water. As the mixture dries, the cement binds the concrete and holds the aggregate together. Once set, concrete is a stiff and unforgiving solid substance. However, if the surface beneath the concrete has not been made perfectly smooth, concrete is prone to cracking and breaking.
Asphalt is also made using aggregate. However, instead of using cement as a binder, bitumen, a dark, sticky substance derived from crude oil is used. To build a parking lot or driveway, hot asphalt is poured onto a layer of heavier aggregate and then pressed into it with a steamroller. Once cooled, asphalt is strong enough to withstand automobile traffic. While asphalt is extremely hard and durable, it offers enough flexibility to accommodate imperfections in underlying surfaces, a feature that concrete does not have.
The other advantages of asphalt paving over concrete or cement paving are numerous. One advantage over concrete is that removal and replacement of damaged asphalt is a relatively easy process in comparison to that of concrete. Asphalt is also completely recyclable. Due to the large demand of asphalt for recycling purposes, it is rare that this material will be sent to the landfill.
Another benefit to asphalt construction projects is that they can be finished and the roadways opened for traffic much faster and with a lot less expense than concrete construction projects. Additionally, maintenance and repair of asphalt pavement is quicker, easier and less expensive than that of cement pavement. In fact, repairing minor cracks in asphalt driveways and walkways can be so easy that, with the know-how, one person, by them self, can complete a minor asphalt repair project in just one afternoon. A benefit in making the simple, inexpensive asphalt repair can increase the longevity of an asphalt surface significantly.
When more than just asphalt crack repair is needed, the solution still requires less time and money repairing asphalt paving over cement paving. Unlike concrete, which needs to be removed and replaced when significant cracks appear, asphalt can be resurfaced in much less time, and at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you're talking about new construction, maintenance, or repair -- asphalt paving is a better solution than concrete paving in almost every situation, saving you time and money.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/M_McHale/676160
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7345707
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Thursday, December 22, 2016
The Proper Way to Pave an Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt driveways can last many years when they are installed
properly. To start, you will need to select the contractor that you want
to make your paving repairs to your new or existing driveway. There are
several things to consider when selecting the contractor.
You will need to use a contractor with adequate general liability and worker's compensation insurance. Also, it is important to choose a contractor known for their quality work. The contractor you choose should be able to present you with a certificate of insurance upon your request.
It is also a good idea to get written quotes from several different qualified contractors as well. This may require that you meet with the contractors at the work site to make sure everyone is on the same page.
To get started, even before any grading or paving takes place, it is always a good idea to get a utility locate. This will insure no utility lines are interrupted as well as insure overall safety at the work site. This helps the contractor who will need to haul in the equipment necessary to complete the job.
Next, you will want to take into consideration any drainage issues before the grading starts for the new driveway. The water should be directed away from the house or any other structures. The driveway can even be pitched to help direct the water in a certain direction.
It is very important that your base for your driveway be on good compactable dirt. Your contractor should put down a minimum of 4" of base material underneath the new pavement. It is also a good idea to have 2" of new asphalt topping added onto your new driveway. The asphalt should be compacted with a vibratory compactor, as soon as the new pavement is in place.
Following these simple steps will help to insure a quality paving job, by a qualified contractor.
You will need to use a contractor with adequate general liability and worker's compensation insurance. Also, it is important to choose a contractor known for their quality work. The contractor you choose should be able to present you with a certificate of insurance upon your request.
It is also a good idea to get written quotes from several different qualified contractors as well. This may require that you meet with the contractors at the work site to make sure everyone is on the same page.
To get started, even before any grading or paving takes place, it is always a good idea to get a utility locate. This will insure no utility lines are interrupted as well as insure overall safety at the work site. This helps the contractor who will need to haul in the equipment necessary to complete the job.
Next, you will want to take into consideration any drainage issues before the grading starts for the new driveway. The water should be directed away from the house or any other structures. The driveway can even be pitched to help direct the water in a certain direction.
It is very important that your base for your driveway be on good compactable dirt. Your contractor should put down a minimum of 4" of base material underneath the new pavement. It is also a good idea to have 2" of new asphalt topping added onto your new driveway. The asphalt should be compacted with a vibratory compactor, as soon as the new pavement is in place.
Following these simple steps will help to insure a quality paving job, by a qualified contractor.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Ensuring The Quality Of Your Asphalt Paving Contractor
Your driveway deserves to be paved by the experienced and
professional asphalt paving contractor. Finding this service provider is
no longer daunting today because of the advent of the internet. Many of
these contractors have their own websites and you can find many
companies to choose from. Carefully study the qualifications of each
contractor before you finally hire one.
In the construction or renovation or your real estate property, should you go for individual labor or contractor? Perhaps, when the job is for asphalt paving, it is best to find a qualified asphalt paving contractor. So much will depend on the capability of the company, something which ordinary paid laborers cannot do.
It is common for the would-be homeowners to lack the necessary experience to supervise the home construction. When you are about to build your home, you should not hesitate to hire the services of contractors especially when you are in the asphalt paving job. Ordinary laborers cannot do it better than the experienced contracting services. There are homeowners who are adamant in hiring contractors on the belief that asphalt pavers only do the job on a large commercial scale. Contrary to this, several qualified contractors take on smaller projects like residential parking, driveways and condo units.
In your search for the qualified contractor, you need to be guided by several tips. Heed these advices and your asphalt paving project can do well beyond your expectation. So how would you know that the contractor you are eyeing on is reliable and qualified?
Today, the internet provides vast data - even on asphalt paving contractors. You can check on the different websites of the company. Do not fail to read the reviews, testimonials and feedbacks from customers. Many previous clients are more than willing to share their experiences with the contractor - whether the project was done successfully or not. This is the beauty of technology today; it is easy to gather information
Aside from the internet, you can check the phone book directory. It is common for trusted companies to have their company listed so that anyone can easily access their contact numbers. Find out also if the firm is covered by insurance. At least you will be guaranteed that the company is legitimate. You can find photos of previous projects and you can make judgment based on the photos.
You can also check on the credentials of the contractor. After finding your contractor, you can visit the office and personally make your queries. You can check on the technologies and techniques being used by the company. This is one important aspect in your search. This will also give you an idea on the kind of equipments used by the company in the asphalt paving task. Furthermore, inquire about added services such as repairs. You will also know how fast they do the job. Their time frame must be acceptable to you.
It is better to compare. So, you can check on three or four companies and select one that best satisfies you. And do not forget to compare prices also. They can have the same price but different output. One can have lower cost of asphalt paving but lower in quality.
In the construction or renovation or your real estate property, should you go for individual labor or contractor? Perhaps, when the job is for asphalt paving, it is best to find a qualified asphalt paving contractor. So much will depend on the capability of the company, something which ordinary paid laborers cannot do.
It is common for the would-be homeowners to lack the necessary experience to supervise the home construction. When you are about to build your home, you should not hesitate to hire the services of contractors especially when you are in the asphalt paving job. Ordinary laborers cannot do it better than the experienced contracting services. There are homeowners who are adamant in hiring contractors on the belief that asphalt pavers only do the job on a large commercial scale. Contrary to this, several qualified contractors take on smaller projects like residential parking, driveways and condo units.
In your search for the qualified contractor, you need to be guided by several tips. Heed these advices and your asphalt paving project can do well beyond your expectation. So how would you know that the contractor you are eyeing on is reliable and qualified?
Today, the internet provides vast data - even on asphalt paving contractors. You can check on the different websites of the company. Do not fail to read the reviews, testimonials and feedbacks from customers. Many previous clients are more than willing to share their experiences with the contractor - whether the project was done successfully or not. This is the beauty of technology today; it is easy to gather information
Aside from the internet, you can check the phone book directory. It is common for trusted companies to have their company listed so that anyone can easily access their contact numbers. Find out also if the firm is covered by insurance. At least you will be guaranteed that the company is legitimate. You can find photos of previous projects and you can make judgment based on the photos.
You can also check on the credentials of the contractor. After finding your contractor, you can visit the office and personally make your queries. You can check on the technologies and techniques being used by the company. This is one important aspect in your search. This will also give you an idea on the kind of equipments used by the company in the asphalt paving task. Furthermore, inquire about added services such as repairs. You will also know how fast they do the job. Their time frame must be acceptable to you.
It is better to compare. So, you can check on three or four companies and select one that best satisfies you. And do not forget to compare prices also. They can have the same price but different output. One can have lower cost of asphalt paving but lower in quality.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Benefits of Using Asphalt for Paving
The act or technique of laying pavement is known as paving. There
are several materials used for this purpose. But these days, a majority
of paving contractors makes use of asphalt for a variety of paving
projects. Asphalt is generally black in color and possesses a
cement-like uniformity. The cement like consistency is obtained with the
addition of sand, filler and bitumen. As far as the major reasons
behind the popularity of asphalt as a paving material are concerned,
these include:
Ease of installation
Ease of installation is a major reason that has made asphalt a preferred choice for constructing roads and highways. Also it is known for providing quick results. This makes it a good choice for revitalizing roads and streets especially when you need to get the work done in the minimum possible time.
Low-cost building material
This is the second major feature associated with the material. It is a low-cost building material. It is not only less expensive but also takes very less time for preparation. The material dries up quickly which means highways and doors will not be blocked or stuck for a long time.
Extremely durable
Asphalt is extremely durable and can be used for both low and high traffic conditions. Also it is weather-resistant in nature. Sudden changes in weather conditions hardly affect the material. It is used for walkways, parking lots, playgrounds as well as high-volume highways that carry heavy trucks.
Recycling feature
This forms one of the impressive features of the material. It can be recycled which means the product can be used again and again. Reusing the same material again and again means we are preserve our natural resources. Apart from this, it also reduces the landfill situation as less material turns into waste.
Requires less maintenance
Asphalt requires very less maintenance. The material is extremely easy to repair.
These are some of the topmost reasons responsible for making asphalt a popular material for a variety of paving projects.
There are many paving contractors that have been using the material for construction of driveways, parking lots, walkways and various other areas. To achieve the best possible results from your paving project, it is extremely essential to take help from an experienced paving service provider. In this regard, websites can be of great help. You can go through a number of websites to find a reliable paving contractor that suit your budget and project requirements.
Ease of installation
Ease of installation is a major reason that has made asphalt a preferred choice for constructing roads and highways. Also it is known for providing quick results. This makes it a good choice for revitalizing roads and streets especially when you need to get the work done in the minimum possible time.
Low-cost building material
This is the second major feature associated with the material. It is a low-cost building material. It is not only less expensive but also takes very less time for preparation. The material dries up quickly which means highways and doors will not be blocked or stuck for a long time.
Extremely durable
Asphalt is extremely durable and can be used for both low and high traffic conditions. Also it is weather-resistant in nature. Sudden changes in weather conditions hardly affect the material. It is used for walkways, parking lots, playgrounds as well as high-volume highways that carry heavy trucks.
Recycling feature
This forms one of the impressive features of the material. It can be recycled which means the product can be used again and again. Reusing the same material again and again means we are preserve our natural resources. Apart from this, it also reduces the landfill situation as less material turns into waste.
Requires less maintenance
Asphalt requires very less maintenance. The material is extremely easy to repair.
These are some of the topmost reasons responsible for making asphalt a popular material for a variety of paving projects.
There are many paving contractors that have been using the material for construction of driveways, parking lots, walkways and various other areas. To achieve the best possible results from your paving project, it is extremely essential to take help from an experienced paving service provider. In this regard, websites can be of great help. You can go through a number of websites to find a reliable paving contractor that suit your budget and project requirements.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
The Importance of Sealcoating
Surprisingly, many home owners, property owners, and maintenance
workers know very little about the important aspect of sealcoating.
Sealcoating is a general term used to describe applying a top coating, or protectant coating of material over an existing asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavement is made up of rock, sand, gravel, and a binding agent to hold it all together. The binding agent is a by-product of the distillation process of certain types of crude oil. As asphalt ages and this by-product breaks down, unfortunately it loses its ability to bind, or hold together. Maintaining this binder is paramount in pavement maintenance. As one would expect, without it, the asphalt will begin to break down. The most common causes of binder degradation are rain, ultraviolet rays from the sun, and chemicals such as antifreeze and car oil.
As asphalt ages and loses this binder, the pavement will start to degrade. When this process begins, a very common warning symptom is piles of small rocks and sand congregating in the low areas in pavement.
To reduce this harmful process from ruining pavement from rain, many people choose to apply a protective layer, or a seal coat, over the pavement to extend the life of the parking lot or driveway and also to prevent degradation. Additionally, when sealcoating products are applied to manufacturers' specifications, they provide a slip resistant surface with a deep satin black finish which beautifies the parking lot or driveway.
Sealcoating materials are typically either coal-based products or acrylic based emulsions. The sealcoat material is in a liquid-water based formulation of one of the above emulsions, then mixed with water, silica sand, polymer additives, and other fillers and solids to create the final product. The sealcoat can then be applied by several different methods: by brush, spray method, or by squeegee. The process should be performed by a professional.
To properly maintain the pavement at a home or business, a sealcoating maintenance program must be in place. Maintenance will more than double the life of the asphalt, saving the owner hundreds of dollars down the line and making the property look fresh and appealing. Repairing asphalt pavement after it has begun to degrade is expensive, so it is sensible to protect the pavement by sealcoating before any long term damage occurs for only pennies per square foot.
Applying this protectant every two to three years will certainly extend the life of asphalt pavement for a minimal cost compared to replacement or repair. When applied correctly by a professional contractor, sealcoating prevents oxidation, stops weather damage, and beautifies property.
Sealcoating is a general term used to describe applying a top coating, or protectant coating of material over an existing asphalt pavement. Asphalt pavement is made up of rock, sand, gravel, and a binding agent to hold it all together. The binding agent is a by-product of the distillation process of certain types of crude oil. As asphalt ages and this by-product breaks down, unfortunately it loses its ability to bind, or hold together. Maintaining this binder is paramount in pavement maintenance. As one would expect, without it, the asphalt will begin to break down. The most common causes of binder degradation are rain, ultraviolet rays from the sun, and chemicals such as antifreeze and car oil.
As asphalt ages and loses this binder, the pavement will start to degrade. When this process begins, a very common warning symptom is piles of small rocks and sand congregating in the low areas in pavement.
To reduce this harmful process from ruining pavement from rain, many people choose to apply a protective layer, or a seal coat, over the pavement to extend the life of the parking lot or driveway and also to prevent degradation. Additionally, when sealcoating products are applied to manufacturers' specifications, they provide a slip resistant surface with a deep satin black finish which beautifies the parking lot or driveway.
Sealcoating materials are typically either coal-based products or acrylic based emulsions. The sealcoat material is in a liquid-water based formulation of one of the above emulsions, then mixed with water, silica sand, polymer additives, and other fillers and solids to create the final product. The sealcoat can then be applied by several different methods: by brush, spray method, or by squeegee. The process should be performed by a professional.
To properly maintain the pavement at a home or business, a sealcoating maintenance program must be in place. Maintenance will more than double the life of the asphalt, saving the owner hundreds of dollars down the line and making the property look fresh and appealing. Repairing asphalt pavement after it has begun to degrade is expensive, so it is sensible to protect the pavement by sealcoating before any long term damage occurs for only pennies per square foot.
Applying this protectant every two to three years will certainly extend the life of asphalt pavement for a minimal cost compared to replacement or repair. When applied correctly by a professional contractor, sealcoating prevents oxidation, stops weather damage, and beautifies property.
Saturday, December 10, 2016
How It's Made - Paving Asphalt
Learn how paving asphalt is made in this video.
Show created by Gabriel Hoss.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Asphalt Driveway Basics: What to Know About Asphalt Driveways
Most of the time, not a lot of thought is often given to what type of driveways homeowners want. There are positives and negatives to each option, but as many people find out, asphalt can be a wonderful driveway option for any customer.
The climate you live in is one of the important things to consider when determining which driveway material is best for your situation. As you travel north in the United States, the prevalence of asphalt driveways increases due to the up and down weather conditions that occur in colder climates. Driveways that spend time in colder climates have different needs and requirements than driveways that do not face a lot of weather adversity. This is because asphalt is a more pliable and flexible material than concrete driveways, which makes it more forgiving in those climates. Also, for people living in snowy areas, the black color of the asphalt can also aid in melting ice and snow faster. Those seemingly small things can make a huge difference in adding on to your driveway's life span.
When time is of the essence, asphalt driveways are a good choice. When done by a professional, they can be done relatively quickly and with out a lot of mess. A new asphalt driveway can usually be installed in a day or two after the sub-grade preparation. This causes fewer problems for the driveway owner. These driveways also be driven on around 24 hours after their installation, making it relatively more convenient than other methods. Less wait time can end up being a forgotten factor when considering driveway options, but it should not be dismissed. With proper installation and care, an asphalt driveway can last up to 20 or 30 years. This lifespan is based on the installation's quality, the type and frequency of driveway maintenance and your region's climate.
Asphalt driveways should be sealed every 3 to 5 years to maintain their quality and prevent deterioration once they are a minimum of 6 months old. It is recommended that a quality commercial grade asphalt sealer does the sealing to ensure the highest quality.
These driveways can be an economical and aesthetically pleasing solution for your driveway needs. They offer a sharp, sleek and clean look for your driveway. If you determine that your climate and location are suitable for installing asphalt driveways, contact a professional to help you assess what your pre-installation check list should include.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Enjoy a Safe Driveway or Parking Lot by Hiring Expert Paving Contractors!
A safe parking lot or driveway is an essential first step to
creating a welcoming atmosphere at any home or business. Prevent person
injuries and property damage by hiring a professional paving contractor
to perform effective, long-lasting pavement repairs, resurfacing, and
more.
Potholed, crumbled, or cracked parking lots and driveways don't just give off a poor impression. They can deter customers from your business, create neighborhood eyesores, pose physical threats to people and vehicles, and even result in damage to your buildings due to poor drainage. If you have damaged pavement on your property or need a new parking lot or driveway, call your local paving contractors today. These professionals have the experience and know-how to provide you with attractive, safe craftsmanship that will serve you well for years to come.
How do paving contractors promote safety?
Correctable and preventable problems such as potholes, cracks, and dips can cause broken ankles, scraped knees, or worse. Your paving contractor is available to provide a variety of parking lot and driveway paving and repairs, such as filling in potholes, sealing cracks, installing block edges to prevent crumbling, and more. Replacement driveway or parking lot paving is also an option if your current pavement is irreparably damaged. These professionals will only use quality materials and tools to ensure a sleek look and continued performance season after season.
Your paving professional will begin by ensuring that the construction area is even and stable. Your terrain will be then be examined in order to determine the proper grade for your pavement. This encourages water to drain away from your property, which helps prevent water damage and puddles. The base stone will then be laid, bound with asphalt binder, and then sealed with a smooth top coat.
After proper pavement installation, your paving contractor can then provide additional safety features and services, including:
Installing and servicing reliable driveways and parking lots comes from years of experience and expert knowledge. Using a professional paving company is necessary if you want to enjoy quality work that can stand up to time, traffic, and the elements. If you want to help prevent vehicle accidents, remove safety hazards, or just are sick of having grass grow in the cracks of your driveway, don't settle for amateur work. Call your local paving professionals today.
Potholed, crumbled, or cracked parking lots and driveways don't just give off a poor impression. They can deter customers from your business, create neighborhood eyesores, pose physical threats to people and vehicles, and even result in damage to your buildings due to poor drainage. If you have damaged pavement on your property or need a new parking lot or driveway, call your local paving contractors today. These professionals have the experience and know-how to provide you with attractive, safe craftsmanship that will serve you well for years to come.
How do paving contractors promote safety?
Correctable and preventable problems such as potholes, cracks, and dips can cause broken ankles, scraped knees, or worse. Your paving contractor is available to provide a variety of parking lot and driveway paving and repairs, such as filling in potholes, sealing cracks, installing block edges to prevent crumbling, and more. Replacement driveway or parking lot paving is also an option if your current pavement is irreparably damaged. These professionals will only use quality materials and tools to ensure a sleek look and continued performance season after season.
Your paving professional will begin by ensuring that the construction area is even and stable. Your terrain will be then be examined in order to determine the proper grade for your pavement. This encourages water to drain away from your property, which helps prevent water damage and puddles. The base stone will then be laid, bound with asphalt binder, and then sealed with a smooth top coat.
After proper pavement installation, your paving contractor can then provide additional safety features and services, including:
- Sign installation and pavement painting - Arrows, signs, parking lines, and other accessories and details are essential for an orderly parking lot. These features help prevent accidents, distinguish handicap reserved spaces, and more!
- Speed bumps - Discourage speeding on your property with strong, effective speed bumps.
- Prevent vehicular damage - Potholes and other deterioration are often the culprit behind popped tires and damaged suspensions. Prompt driveway and parking lot repairs can protect cars as well as people.
Installing and servicing reliable driveways and parking lots comes from years of experience and expert knowledge. Using a professional paving company is necessary if you want to enjoy quality work that can stand up to time, traffic, and the elements. If you want to help prevent vehicle accidents, remove safety hazards, or just are sick of having grass grow in the cracks of your driveway, don't settle for amateur work. Call your local paving professionals today.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Asphalt Pavement Maintenance Planning
Do you have an asphalt maintenance plan in place for your
facility? As asphalt surfaces age, erode and become brittle, proper
periodic assessment and treatments are essential in maintaining a
quality surface and infrastructure. The appropriate course of action can
save time and money by making sure the maintenance applications are
matched to the severity of the pavement problems.
Understanding Defects
There are typically three types of asphalt failures: Surface, Bond, and Structural Failures. For surface failures there can be raveling, and transverse or longitudinal cracking problems. Raveling is the loss of aggregate from the surface as a result of abrading action from wheels. Longitudinal cracks run in the direction of traffic and transverse cracks are 90 degrees to longitudinal cracks. Longitudinal cracks are typically caused from shrinkage.
Bonding failures are usually in the form of slippage between two layers of surfacing causing cracks in the upper layer. In some cases the combination of bonding and crack failures causes the top layer to flake off in chunks.
The most severe defects are structural cracking which can include fatigue cracking and rutting. Fatigue cracking results from the surface being flexed up and down from heavy loads going by. The cracks are very close together and look like an alligator's skin. This defect occurs when the underlying road section can no longer support the loads being applied to the pavement. One heavy truck can flex and damage a road more than thousands of cars passing over the same spot. Rutting is a depression of the pavement in the wheel path and is usually continuous throughout a pavement. It can occur in just the asphalt layer or throughout the entire infrastructure of asphalt, base, and soil.
Types of Treatments
The difference types of actions one can choose will vary with the defects and extent of damage found on the pavement surface. The potential solutions can include surface seal coats, crack filling, slurry seals, selective dig-outs and patching, or full overlays.
Within the use of surface seal coats, there are several to choose from. They include slurry, cape, micro-surfacing, fog, and rubberized chip seals to name a few. A fog seal contains no aggregate or sand and is spray applied to keep the surface aggregate in place. A surface seal coat is a mixture of sand and asphalt emulsion with other fillers. It provides a uniform black surface and protects from UV damage and reduces water intrusion. A slurry seal consists of emulsified asphalt binder, a graded fine aggregate additive and water and is applied by machines with pressure.
An overlay is used over the top of an existing pavement surface to strengthen and protect the original structure. It can be applied at various thicknesses and also can be rubberized. Sometimes milling is required before the overlay when excessive heights are an issue to prevent any potential trip hazards. Also the use of paving grids and fabrics over the top of an existing cracked pavement can provide additional strength and water intrusion protection.
Choosing a Plan of Action
Parking lots primarily utilize asphalt seal coats, slurry seals and sand seals. These seals are designed for use in areas that will have constant turning forces. The oils are harder than chip and cape seal oils and lessen tire marking on the pavement.
Streets generally utilize slurry, chip, cape seals or micro-surfacing. These treatments vary depending on the conditions of the road. Crack filling and dig-out repairs must be completed prior to the placement of the surface treatments to obtain the maximum performance life.
So you can see there are various failures modes from minor surface issues to major structural failures and there are a wide variety of treatments to deal with them. Plus following an overall maintenance plan through the lifecycle of the pavement will help prevent early failure and maintain the asset through its expected lifetime. The best way to get started is to have an asphalt engineering firm or quality asphalt contractor assess your situation and provide guidance on what the most economical course of action would be for your situation.
Understanding Defects
There are typically three types of asphalt failures: Surface, Bond, and Structural Failures. For surface failures there can be raveling, and transverse or longitudinal cracking problems. Raveling is the loss of aggregate from the surface as a result of abrading action from wheels. Longitudinal cracks run in the direction of traffic and transverse cracks are 90 degrees to longitudinal cracks. Longitudinal cracks are typically caused from shrinkage.
Bonding failures are usually in the form of slippage between two layers of surfacing causing cracks in the upper layer. In some cases the combination of bonding and crack failures causes the top layer to flake off in chunks.
The most severe defects are structural cracking which can include fatigue cracking and rutting. Fatigue cracking results from the surface being flexed up and down from heavy loads going by. The cracks are very close together and look like an alligator's skin. This defect occurs when the underlying road section can no longer support the loads being applied to the pavement. One heavy truck can flex and damage a road more than thousands of cars passing over the same spot. Rutting is a depression of the pavement in the wheel path and is usually continuous throughout a pavement. It can occur in just the asphalt layer or throughout the entire infrastructure of asphalt, base, and soil.
Types of Treatments
The difference types of actions one can choose will vary with the defects and extent of damage found on the pavement surface. The potential solutions can include surface seal coats, crack filling, slurry seals, selective dig-outs and patching, or full overlays.
Within the use of surface seal coats, there are several to choose from. They include slurry, cape, micro-surfacing, fog, and rubberized chip seals to name a few. A fog seal contains no aggregate or sand and is spray applied to keep the surface aggregate in place. A surface seal coat is a mixture of sand and asphalt emulsion with other fillers. It provides a uniform black surface and protects from UV damage and reduces water intrusion. A slurry seal consists of emulsified asphalt binder, a graded fine aggregate additive and water and is applied by machines with pressure.
An overlay is used over the top of an existing pavement surface to strengthen and protect the original structure. It can be applied at various thicknesses and also can be rubberized. Sometimes milling is required before the overlay when excessive heights are an issue to prevent any potential trip hazards. Also the use of paving grids and fabrics over the top of an existing cracked pavement can provide additional strength and water intrusion protection.
Choosing a Plan of Action
Parking lots primarily utilize asphalt seal coats, slurry seals and sand seals. These seals are designed for use in areas that will have constant turning forces. The oils are harder than chip and cape seal oils and lessen tire marking on the pavement.
Streets generally utilize slurry, chip, cape seals or micro-surfacing. These treatments vary depending on the conditions of the road. Crack filling and dig-out repairs must be completed prior to the placement of the surface treatments to obtain the maximum performance life.
So you can see there are various failures modes from minor surface issues to major structural failures and there are a wide variety of treatments to deal with them. Plus following an overall maintenance plan through the lifecycle of the pavement will help prevent early failure and maintain the asset through its expected lifetime. The best way to get started is to have an asphalt engineering firm or quality asphalt contractor assess your situation and provide guidance on what the most economical course of action would be for your situation.
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