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Why Isn’t My Asphalt Surface Smooth?

One of the reasons why you should use a professional asphalt contractor to lay your asphalt is because you can encounter a lot of issues if you attempt to lay asphalt yourself. One of the issues you may encounter is not having an asphalt surface that is smooth. This is problematic because it presents a tripping hazard to those walking on the surface and is not good for bike and car tires. If you have attempted to lay asphalt yourself and the surface is not smooth, here are a few of the reasons why you may have this issue.

Not Enough Asphalt to Bind the Aggregates

Hot asphalt is poured over an aggregate mix to form an asphalt surface, such as a road, driveway or walkway. When asphalt is hot, it has a thick consistency that is slightly soupy or runny. This allows it to get into all of the spaces between the aggregate mixture, creating a solid surface as the asphalt cools and hardens. But, if there is not enough asphalt poured over the aggregate mixture, you may wind up with a surface that is not. If your surface looks lumpy or uneven, this is the most likely cause. Fortunately, this can be relatively easily fixed. A new layer of aggregate and asphalt can be laid by a professional to help even out the surface and make it smooth.

Not Enough Compaction

Another reason why an asphalt surface may not be smooth is because there was not enough compaction. After hot asphalt is poured over an aggregate mixture, that new surface needs to be smoothed. This is done using either a roller or a tamper. Rolling the surface helps to push the hot asphalt down, so it binds to the aggregate mix, while also helping to push out air bubbles. This creates a smooth, level surface. If you notice the surface is not smooth and it looks like rocks or chunks of asphalt are being lifted away, this is the likely culprit. Unfortunately, fixing asphalt that is not properly compacted is not easy. In the worst cases, the entire asphalt surface needs to be removed and needs to be started fresh.

An Unsuitable Aggregate Mix

The final reason why an asphalt surface may not be smooth is because an unsuitable aggregate mix was used. You cannot use any aggregate mix and expect a smooth, level surface. You need to use one that features smooth, crushed rock combined with a mixture of smaller particulates. The exact aggregate mix that is needed will vary based on weather in your area, how much moisture your area gets and how you intend on using the asphalt surface. A professional knows what type of aggregate mix is ideal for your asphalt surface, whereas the average person has no idea what mix to use. There is no way to correct a surface that is not smooth due to the wrong aggregate mix.

If you have an asphalt surface that is not smooth, or you need a new asphalt surface laid, reach out to an asphalt contractor near me. They can ensure that there is enough asphalt to bind the aggregates, ensure the surface is properly compacted and use the right aggregate mix for your surface. Reach out to your preferred professional asphalt contractor today.

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How to Fix a Crumbling Asphalt Driveway

If your asphalt is beginning to show signs of wear, age, or disrepair, it is important to repair the issues in a timely manner. If you fail to do so, the problems within your asphalt surface may worsen. What may have started out as a simple fix may turn into a major repair problem. Read on to learn more about the signs of damaged asphalt and how damaged asphalt can be fixed.

Signs Your Asphalt is In Need of Repair

There are a number of signs that your asphalt may give you if it is in need of repair. Some of the signs that your asphalt may need repairs are seeing the asphalt crumble or erode away, seeing cracks in the asphalt, or seeing depressions, holes, or potholes on your asphalt surface. Another sign that your asphalt may need to be repaired is seeing water puddling or pooling on the surface. Water that is puddling or pooling instead of draining away from asphalt can cause crumbling, cracks, and depressions.

How to Fix a Crumbling Asphalt Driveway

If you notice that there is damage to your asphalt surface, such as crumbling, cracking, or depressions, you will want to call in an asphalt contractor who offers asphalt repair. The first thing that they will do is remove any debris from the surface of the asphalt. This involves removing asphalt and aggregate from cracks and potholes. Once that is done, the asphalt surface will be cleaned. Patches and fills stick best to asphalt that is cleaned. If there is debris on the asphalt, such as oil or food, it can prevent the filler from properly adhering. Once the area is free from debris and cleaned, a professional will use a filler to fill in cracks, holes, depressions, or asphalt erosion. Once the filler is in place, it will be rolled so that it is compacted and so your asphalt surface is completely level.

How to Protect an Asphalt Driveway

If you have a new asphalt surface, or if you have just had yours repaired, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to protect the asphalt surface from damage. While you cannot prevent all types of damage, seal coating an asphalt surface helps to prevent cracking, erosion, and potholes and depressions from forming. The surface of the asphalt should be coated after a surface has been installed or repaired, and every two to three years thereafter.

Reasons to Hire an Asphalt Contractor for Asphalt Repair

If your asphalt is in need of repair, you may find yourself wondering whether you can make the repairs yourself or whether you should hire an asphalt contractor to make the repairs for you. While home improvement stores do sell asphalt patching kits that allow you to make minor repairs to your asphalt surfaces yourself, these kits generally do not solve the problem for a prolonged period of time. They may be quick fixes but they do not last. A professional can properly patch or repair your asphalt so the problem is fixed and so your asphalt functions as good as new once again.

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Some Tips On New Build Soil Preparation

If you have a new project coming up, you are probably excited; however, you need to make sure the ground is ready to support the new project. One of the most important things you need to think about is the dirt on which the property will go. If the soil has not been prepared properly, you will run into issues with your project. What are a few tips you need to keep in mind in order to make sure the construction process moves smoothly? Take a look below.

Demucking The Soil

First, you need to demuck the soil. You need to dig into the soil to remove organic materials, including peat, that might be present. If there are organic materials present in the soil, it will become weak, causing the material to settle. If you remove organic soil, debris, and other types of muck, you can increase the stability of the soil. That way, you can ensure a uniform load capacity across the entire lot.

Determine the Soil Bearing Capacity

Next, you need to determine how much capacity the soil can handle. There are numerous types of soil. A few examples include silt, sandy clay, and regular clay, which are particularly weak. They can only handle about 2,000 pounds per square foot before they start to shift beneath the construction project, placing it at risk. On the other hand, sedimentary rock is incredibly strong, with the ability to withstand 6,000 pounds per square foot before it begins to buckle. All of these types of soil can show up in the same climate zone, so investigate the type of soil you are building on before the project gets started.

The Permeability of the Soil

You also need to think about the permeability of the soil. If there are gaps between the particles of soil, water and air can flow through it. Different types of soil have different degrees of permeability. The permeability of the soil plays a role in risks related to erosion, compaction, and flooding. You should hire a professional to assess the permeability of the soil because it can play a role in the success of your project.

Ensure the Stability of the Ground

Finally, you also need to think about how stable the lot is. If the lot is not stable, your foundation could fail, placing the entire building project at risk. You should think about how much weight your soil can accommodate, if there are also loose elements that need to be removed, and how deep the foundation has to be poured to support the rest of the construction project. You need to pour the foundation down to the frost line. Research this prior to the beginning of the project.

Get the Soil Ready for Your Project

These are a few of the most important tips you need to keep in mind if you are getting the soil ready for a new project. There are a lot of factors that will play a role in how quickly your project proceeds; however, you need to make sure the project gets off to a good start. You can make that happen by preparing the soil properly. Do not hesitate to reach out to trained professionals if you have questions about the soil’s readiness for your project. You should also reach out to asphalt preparation experts who can help you prepare the soil for your next construction project.

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Asphalt Paving Calculator – What Goes Into The Cost Of Asphalt

If you have a project coming up that requires asphalt, you want to know how much this is going to cost. That way, you can budget accordingly. At the same time, there are a lot of factors that influence the cost of asphalt. What are a few examples?

Asphalt Grade

There are multiple asphalt grades available and each one comes with a slightly different price tag. The top asphalt grade is commonly used for roads and is the most expensive option. Base grade is usually used for lighter traffic areas and is the cheapest option. Commercial grade is in the middle and contains smooth particles and sand.

Asphalt Type

The type of asphalt you use will influence its price. For example, hot mix asphalt is the most common asphalt used in roads. This is an inexpensive option because it uses recycled materials. It is also flexible, making it easier to install. Warm mixes use fewer fossil fuels because they are heated to a lower temperature. Therefore, warm mixes are inexpensive as well. Cold asphalt doesn’t require a heating application, so it is affordable.

Asphalt Transport Distance

Distance of the project from the original location of the asphalt will also play a role. The farther the asphalt has to travel to reach the project site, the more expensive it will be. The cost of transport also depends on the weight of the asphalt material as well as its type. The heavier the asphalt is, the more expensive the transportation costs will be.

Asphalt Amount

The more asphalt you need to complete your project, the more expensive it will be. The length, width, and depth of the prepared site will all play a role. This information will be required to give you a quote on your project before you get started. The density of the asphalt mix may also influence the amount you require.

Asphalt Man Hours

Similar to any other manual project, the number of working hours will also influence the cost of the total project. The larger the project, the more time it will take. In addition, it might also require more people, driving up the cost. There will always be specific times used for curing and drying the project, so adding additional contractors can only reduce the project’s time by so much.

Asphalt Market Price

Asphalt prices can vary depending on numerous factors in the market. For example, crude oil prices, the number of current construction projects, environmental regulations, and the state of various economies will all play a role in how much asphalt costs. If you work with a professional asphalt contractor, you can time the project correctly to save money on the cost of asphalt.

The Project Type

Finally, the cost of asphalt will vary depending on the type of project you are carrying out. For example, if you are trying to repair an existing surface, you might be able to save money by simply repairing existing cracks. On the other hand, if you need to remove the existing surface and pour new asphalt, you may need to enlist the help of additional services. Your contractor should let you know exactly what you need in order to complete your project.

Find the Right Asphalt

These are just a few of the many factors that will influence the cost of asphalt. Work with a trained professional to get the highest quality asphalt at the best price possible.

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Own a Commercial Property? Hire a Pro Parking Lot Contractor

A clean, well-maintained parking lot with clear markings and lighting is a catch, especially in countries where cars are the primary transport mode. In a commercial property, the parking lot makes the business’s first impression. A pro parking lot contractor keeps your commercial parking lot looking impressive and well-maintained.

What Do You Want Your Parking Lot To Say About Your Commercial Property?

If your parking is cracked, dented, and faded, your client automatically assumes that your services are equally worn-out and careless. It is unprofessional and risks damaging your client’s car. According to an INRIX report, 63% of US drivers avoid businesses with parking challenges.

But with a well-maintained parking lot, your clients have an easy time parking and will very likely come back to your property.

In a competitive market, businesses’ top priority is the customer experience. Customers are more willing to pay a premium for a great experience. Whether it’s the tenants or their customers, they demand the best parking experience.

Make Your Commercial Parking Lot Appealing

Parking lots are bound to depreciate. To make your commercial parking lot more appealing, then you need to fix any cracks, potholes, and drainage issues in your paved parking space. This means regular maintenance and repair.

Regular Maintenance

Sealcoating

The cheapest way to maintain an asphalt parking construction is a seal coating. Seal coating adds a protective layer to extend your asphalt parking lot’s life. It protects the surface from UV rays, oils, and water damage. The black coat gives a sleek and shiny look. It extends your parking space life by 2 to 3 years when done correctly.

Rehabilitation

If your asphalt parking lot is already in bad shape, call in a parking lot contractor to determine the best rehabilitation option. The contractor will walk you through your options and the estimated cost for rehabilitating your garage. You may choose to resurface or repave your parking lot.

Resurfacing Vs Repaving A Parking Lot

If your asphalt parking lot has cracks and dents that don’t reach the foundation layers, then an asphalt overlay can add up to 8 years more life to your parking lot. The paving contractor will fill up any dents, seal cracks, and repair drainage issues before applying a thick (1.5 to 2 inches deep) asphalt layer. This is resurfacing.

But if your parking lot is crumbling away with cracks and manholes, it cannot make a good foundation for an asphalt overlay. Your best option would be to replace the entire pavement. This is repaving.

Repaving is the most expensive and durable option. But it extends your pavement’s life up to 25 years or more. Hire an experienced and reputable asphalt company to get the most value for your money.

When To Repave Your Parking Lot

Repaving may be costly because the contractor removes the whole asphalt parking construction. They rebuild everything from the foundation to the surface. Asphalt companies recycle your old asphalt and mix it with new asphalt to reduce the repaving costs.

Repaving is the long-term solution to your parking lot problems. Sure, you may resurface a couple of times, but that does not repair your foundation. Small cracks will use an overlay, but serious damages require repaving. In the long run, you will need to replace the entire thing.

If your parking lot is older than 25 years, it’s time to repave. A new asphalt pavement will last you another 25 years with good maintenance (i.e. seal coating and resurfacing). It keeps your business looking professional and worthy.

A well-maintained parking lot shows that you care about your clients. You get more tenants, and your clients get more customers. Your clients will be less grumpy when you charge top dollar amounts. It’s a win-win.

Contract a pro parking lot contractor to learn how to reduce costs and plan the repaving without disrupting business.