4 Most Common Forms of Asphalt Distress

Find out what the 4 most common forms of asphalt distress are. This video explains how these distresses are caused and what can be done to protect or repair the asphalt.

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Vaca Vet Striping has over 30 years experience doing business as ACE Paving Company, with a General Engineering Class A Contractor’s License #389714. We strive to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. Vaca Vet Striping service area is Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.

How Do Potholes Work?

There are definitely times when driving does not feel that luxurious, and one of them is something we’ve all experienced once or twice. Pavement is one of the highest value assets owned by a City, County, or DOT. 

It’s essential, and it’s expensive, which means there’s an entire industry surrounding how to design, build, and maintain roadways as safely and cost-effectively as possible. Politicians, government officials, engineers, and contractors drive on the same roads as everyone else, so they all have a vested interest in keeping those roads as pothole-free as possible so that we all can enjoy the luxury of driving on paved streets in safety and comfort.

Thermoplastics Installing by Vaca Vet Striping

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The application of linear striping, arrows, stop bars, and handicap insignias, etc. We use a plasticized material that when heated with adhere permanently to asphalt and concrete surfaces.

We understand the importance of quality asphalt maintenance and the importance of leaving a lasting impression to prospective tenants, home buyers, customers, and the general public.

Vaca Vet Striping has over 30 years of experience doing business as ACE Paving Company, with a General Engineering Class A Contractor’s License #389714. We strive to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. Vaca Vet Striping service area is Solano, Napa, Yolo, and Sacramento counties.

Repair or Replace? What To Do About Your Aging Asphalt Parking Lot

Nothing lasts forever, and asphalt is no exception. There comes a time with every parking lot where you need to ask whether it’s time to repair it, or replace it altogether.

A properly paved asphalt lot can last 20 – 30 years, but the lifespan and condition of any lot depend on many factors. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of damage and repairs, and when you should replace a lot entirely.

The Types of Asphalt Damage

Cracking
Cracking can take many forms, including shrinkage, widening, edge cracks, slippage, alligator cracks, and reflection. Cracks are caused by many different factors, such as water penetration, oxidation from the sun, freezing, and thawing, and poor initial construction. Even the most minor cracks should be sealed as soon as possible, as small cracks can grow into bigger problems. Water or other debris can settle inside, causing the crack to grow, softening the base, and further threatening the integrity of the pavement. Larger cracks may be a warning sign of deeper issues.

Rutting
Rutting is when the pavement shows depressions, or grooves, from wear and tear caused by wheel loads. Ruts can be dangerous, leading to vehicles hydroplaning (from ponded water) that can result in loss of driver control. They can also be a result of deeper sub-soil or design problems, and lead to further deterioration. Ruts less than ⅓ inch deep can generally be left as is, but deeper ruts should be leveled and resurfaced.

When It’s Time To Repair

Crack Sealing
Crack sealing is exactly what it sounds like – filling small cracks to prevent further damage. Cracks that are straight or less than a quarter-inch wide can easily be repaired with a liquid filler. Before sealcoating or resurfacing, all cracks and existing damage must be repaired, so crack sealing is the first step towards further repair and necessary ongoing maintenance responsibility. A yearly schedule of crack sealing is best to prolong the life of your lot.

Seal Coating
After you’ve filled any cracks, you can apply a layer of sealcoating. Sealant keeps the lot looking new and prevents corrosion from a variety of elements, including water, oxidation, UV rays, and oil and gas spills. The ideal time to seal asphalt pavement is when deterioration is first discovered. A new asphalt lot should not be sealed until it is at least 6 months old, and should be resealed every 2 – 4 years, depending on weather and amount of traffic.

Resurfacing (aka overlaying)
Resurfacing, also known as overlaying, adds a new layer of asphalt, generally 1.5 – 2 inches in depth, on top of the older one. If done right, a new layer of asphalt can add 8 – 15 years to your current lot and costs less than a full replacement. All cracks and damage to the old layer need to be repaired before resurfacing, as un-repaired cracks will undermine the new layer. Resurfacing in cold weather can lead to premature deterioration, so the rule of thumb is to pave when temperatures are 50° F and above. Just because a lot is showing serious wear and tear and cracking, that doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Resurfacing is a great option to improve the condition of your lot without spending a lot of money.

Mill and Resurface
Resurfacing sometimes is not an option due to existing drainage patterns. When this is an issue milling and resurfacing may be a viable choice. Milling the surface involves the removal of the top layer of asphalt (usually 1” to 1.5”). Once the asphalt is removed, it is then replaced with a new layer of asphalt. Though this is one of the more expensive repairs, the quality of the final product and the service life can rival that of a new parking lot.

When It’s Time to Replace
Sometimes, a parking lot is beyond the point where even resurfacing will help. The answer to whether you should repair or replace essentially comes down to the condition of the lot’s base. Resurfacing is only as good as the surface it is layered on top of. If your parking lot is failing due to an underlying design, structural, sub-soil, or construction issue, none of the resurfacing options listed above will solve the problem in the long term. Though the parking lot will initially look better, the “repair” will be short-lived.

If a parking lot is approaching 20 years of age, or if 25-35% of the total surface area is in need of removal due to significant damage, it is generally more economical and effective to completely reconstruct the parking lot. With proper maintenance, your new lot can last another 20 – 30 years.

Proper evaluation and recommendations are critical to avoid any financial missteps in getting your parking lot back on-line.

Article Source: https://www.gleassociates.com/repair-or-replace-what-to-do-about-your-aging-asphalt-parking-lot/

Benefits Of Crack Sealing An Asphalt Parking Lot

Why crack seal an asphalt parking lot:

Cracks in pavements allow moisture to penetrate the surface which causes potholes, cracks and eventually total asphalt failure. Failure to seal cracks results in further cracking and will lead to expensive asphalt replacement.

To prevent water from infiltrating to the base it is recommended that a hot rubberized crack sealant be professionally applied with professional crack sealing equipment. Cold applied crack sealing materials available at Hardware Stores / Home Improvement Chains are designed to be applied to residential driveways and are not capable of giving you the performance or longevity which is standard from hot poured crack sealants.

Hot rubberized crack sealing in asphalt parking lots, roads, shopping centers, HOA Associations and other asphalt surfaces is one of the most cost-effective preventative maintenance processes available. Any effective Pavement Management Plan includes annual hot rubberized crack sealing. Who uses crack sealing?

* Property & Facility Managers

* Homeowner (HOA) Communities

* Shopping Centers

* Apartments & Condominiums

* Office Complexes

* industrial Parks

* Any owners/managers of asphalt parking lots

It is important to begin a crack sealing program at the first sign of crack developing which can be anywhere from 2-5 years after initial asphalt installation.

Article Source: http://www.fixasphalt.com/blog/benefits-of-crack-sealing-an-asphalt-parking-lot

The Benefits of Proper Parking Lot Maintenance

If you own a business, you can't afford to ignore proper parking lot maintenance. Sure, it might not be the first thing you think of. But it makes sense when you think about it. 

After all, your parking lot is the first physical aspect of your business that customers come into contact with. Shouldn't it paint a flattering picture? 

Likewise, if you don't keep up with regular maintenance, you're actually putting your customers in danger. Potholes, for instance, can ruin vehicles or cause customers to trip and get hurt. 

There's also the matter of safety to consider. But these are just the tips of the iceberg. To learn more about the benefits of parking lot maintenance, make sure to watch this video.