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Tips to Avoid Pricey Asphalt Repairs

An asphalt driveway, parking lot or other parcel can be extremely durable and continue to look good for a long time. However, to keep your asphalt in good condition, it is important that you keep it properly maintained. There are five tips in particular that could be followed to help protect your asphalt, extend its useful life and prevent more costly repairs in the future.

 

Remove all Debris

One of the most important asphalt care tips to follow to keep your asphalt in good working order is to remove all debris that you come across. Tree branches and other debris are going to be blown onto your asphalt from time to time. When these items are not removed, they can block the flow of water and create standing pools. This could start to cause deterioration and damage to your asphalt. Due to this, it is very important that you have this debris removed as soon as it is noticed. This can be even more important during the winter months when ice and snow could form around the debris.

 

Repair and Seal All Cracks and Holes

For asphalt maintenance, it is also very important that you have the asphalt repaired as soon as you can. If you notice that there are small holes and cracks in your asphalt, you should call a professional for asphalt repair to ensure these are filled in as soon as you can. When you have these holes repaired, it will help to prevent ice, salt, water and other debris from getting in, which could cause further damage in the future.

 

Shovel Regularly

If your business is located in a cold climate, the impact of bad winter weather on asphalt can be noticeable. Once the snow and ice melts, many people will identify a range of holes and cracks in their asphalt. However, this can be managed better if you shovel regularly. When you are able to shovel on a regular basis, it will help to clear all of the snow and ice and will prevent cracking.

 

Be Careful of De-Icing Products

While it is important to get rid of snow and ice, you should be careful about the products that you use. Most of the major de-icing products that you will find will contain rock salt. While this can help to break down and prevent ice, it can also cause serious damage to your asphalt. For proper asphalt care, you should look for a product that uses potassium chloride as it will be effective without harming your asphalt.

 

Don’t Ignore Pooling Water

If you notice that there is standing water on your asphalt, you should have the issue fixed as soon as you can. Pooling water can be due to poor drainage or deterioration of the asphalt. If you do not call a professional for asphalt repair to fix this issue quickly, it will continue to become more problematic as it will cause further deterioration and pot holes.

Ultimately, with proper asphalt maintenance and care, you could expect that your asphalt will last for a long time. To ensure that you are caring for your asphalt, you should follow these five tips. These will help to ensure that you remain diligent about caring for your asphalt, which will keep it in great shape for years to come.

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How To Reuse and Recycle Asphalt

During the past few years, there has been a massive push to develop green practices, particularly when it comes to the construction industry. Now, this practice has been woven into all aspects of construction, from construction to residential spaces and even paving. This has provided massive benefits for the environment, as everyone works to preserve the planet.

One of the major shifts has been the growth of asphalt recycling. When people think about recyclable materials, they usually think about plastic, cardboard, and glass; however, pavement and asphalt are actually the most recycled materials in the country. Annually, around 80 million tons of asphalt is recycled. This goes to show that asphalt is considered a green technology. It is also environmentally friendly. For those wondering how they can recycle and reuse asphalt, there are a few points to keep in mind.

How To Recycle Asphalt

Asphalt is a part of a recycling category that is called C&D, which stands for construction and demolition. Some of the other products that are included under this heading include wood, glass, and fixtures from buildings. This type of waste is treated differently from typical recycling products that come from a household, such as plastic. This means that it might be a bit harder to find a recycling center that can handle asphalt; however, there are numerous asphalt contractors that have connections with these recycling centers, so it is a good idea to reach out to them.

In this fashion, it is important to be open and honest with the asphalt contractors that recycling asphalt that might not need to be used is a priority. Therefore, talk with them about ideas regarding where and how they can take the asphalt.

One of the first places to look for a recycling center that can handle asphalt is the local solid waste management district. These are relatively common throughout most cities; however, people should call them to make sure they can handle asphalt, as not everyone can. There are also helpful search tools on the internet that can help people find places that can accept asphalt recycling. Even asphalt shingles from the roof can be recycled; however, it is important to make sure the asphalt recycling plan accepts these shingles, as not all plants do.

Recycling Asphalt Is Important

Back in 2002, one of the first organizations to announce that they would be recycling asphalt was the Federal Highway Administration. They announced that they would be reusing and recycling asphalt throughout their roadway projects whenever possible to minimize the impact on the environment. In this manner, this is the biggest reason why it is so important to recycle asphalt. It saves the environment. Furthermore, the FHWA realized that there was actually a functional benefit to using recycled asphalt. The roads appeared to last longer.

Furthermore, recycling asphalt is important because it saves money. If projects can use recycled asphalt, they do not need to invest in brand new materials, which are more expensive. When this is combined with the environmental impact of using recycled products, such as asphalt, the reasons to reuse and recycle this material become clear.

Recycle Asphalt During Future Projects

This is a brief overview of how to recycle asphalt and why it is so important. Those who are looking to recycle asphalt should reach to asphalt contractors or take a look at local solid waste management plants. These sources usually have information on where and how to recycle asphalt as well as asphalt repair services.

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Cracked Asphalt: 4 Major Causes and 3 Highly Effective Ways to Fix It

It is important for everyone to keep their driveways, parking lots, and other asphalt surfaces in good condition. This will help the property maintain its value, which is important for every real estate investment. As asphalt ages, it may start to crack. It requires regular maintenance in order to extend its longevity. With this in mind, there are a few major reasons why asphalt might start to crack. The good news is that there are also ways to fix it.

The Major Causes of Asphalt Cracking

If there is cracked asphalt, it needs to be fixed quickly. Otherwise, this will only lead to bigger problems down the road, which will cost more money. There are a few major reasons why asphalt might start to crack. They include:

  • Exposure to UV Rays: One of the biggest reasons why asphalt starts to crack is exposure to UV rays. These rays come from the sun and dry out the oil, bitumen, and tar, which are all key parts of asphalt. If asphalt becomes dry, it cannot flex and extend with the ground. This leads to cracking.
  • Plants: If the asphalt starts to crack, this could lead to vegetation that grows through the cracks. If plants are growing, this means that there is water that has gotten underneath the asphalt, leading to plant growth. These plants can spread quickly, leading to additional damage. It is important to remove them quickly and fill the cracks.
  • Water: Along these lines, moisture is one of the major reasons why asphalt starts to deteriorate. As water gets into the asphalt, it damages the foundation. This leads to major depressions and an uneven surface. This is where potholes come from. This is why it is important to make sure that all asphalt surfaces drain well.
  • Chemicals: Finally, oil and chemical spills that come from vehicles can also lead to asphalt damage. This can discolor the asphalt, making it look dirty. Furthermore, they can also penetrate the asphalt itself, leading to major damage.

All of these issues are common sources of asphalt damage. Fortunately, there are also a few ways to repair asphalt quickly.

Effective Asphalt Repair Methods

There are a few reliable ways in which someone can repair cracked asphalt. Some of the most popular asphalt repair methods include:

  • The Gator Patch: One option that people might use is called a gator patch. This is a popular option for those who have a large network of cracks. These cracks look like the back of an alligator (which is where the name comes from). A gator patch is like clay or mud. It will require a trowel but is an effective fix.
  • Cold Pour: This is good for smaller cracks that are less than a half-inch in diameter. This is made from acrylic and water. It usually comes in liquid form and is poured by hand.
  • Hot Pour: For larger cracks (in parking lots and on runways), a hot pour solution is usually required. This is based on rubber, is shaped like a cube, and requires a melter applicator. Once it is melted, it is dragged over the crack and filled. This is the preference of the professionals.

It is better to prevent asphalt cracks from appearing with proper maintenance; however, these effective techniques can be used to quickly repair asphalt damage.

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What Causes Asphalt Pavement to Deteriorate?

Asphalt pavement is the most commonly used material the world over for roads, airport tarmacs, parking lots, and driveways because it is very durable, resilient, cost-effective, and quick and easy to put down. When proper inspection and asphalt maintenance is conducted it can be expected to last for as much as 25 years. However, it’s not indestructible, and there are many factors that can cause pavement damage over time, including exposure to the elements, improper construction techniques, and just normal wear and tear. Here are some of the most common causes of asphalt pavement damage.

Causes Of Asphalt Pavement Deterioration

  • Water and moisture. Water will always seek out the cracks and seams on any surface, breaking down the material that holds the asphalt together and washing out the foundation from underneath, leading to cracks and collapse. This is especially true in areas with heavy rainfall and poor drainage.
  • Heat and sunlight. The UV rays from the sun and the heat they generate will eventually dry out the flexible asphalt material and cause it to lift up and separate from the compacted material of its foundation, again causing cracks and fissures that also allow water in leading to further pavement damage.
  • Petroleum and other chemicals. Asphalt pavements that are used to accommodate motor vehicles such as roads, airport tarmacs, and driveways are constantly exposed to leaks of oil and gasoline as well as the chemicals emitted from combustion. This can cause the asphalt to begin to break down in as little as a few years without proper maintenance. Asphalt companies routinely do repairs on damage from these chemicals.
  • Utility work. When utility companies have to service underground gas, sewer, or power lines they often don’t do a very good job of repairing the asphalt pavement they have to tear up to get at the lines, leading to immediate and accelerated future damage.
  • Tree roots. Especially in dryer regions or those with sandy soil where tree roots have to grow further out in search of water, they can do a lot of damage to any asphalt pavement they encounter by undermining the foundation and causing a collapse of the road or driveway.
  • Heavy traffic. Obviously any asphalt pavement that has hundreds or even thousands of heavy vehicles traveling over it every day is going to need repairs of potholes and fissures more frequently due to normal wear, and asphalt companies are constantly at work maintaining them, as every driver knows.
  • Expansion and contraction. Asphalt pavement that is exposed to extreme cold and hot temperatures will expand and contract as it heats and cools. This causes it to weaken and can lead to upheavals, or blowups, that can happen literally overnight and cause a major hazard to drivers and their vehicles.
  • Poor construction and application. Improper construction techniques are a common cause of asphalt pavement damage. This usually means that the base foundation below the asphalt was improperly compacted or the asphalt was too thinly applied or applied at the wrong temperature.

When asphalt pavement has been installed by a reputable contractor and is properly inspected and maintained it will normally provide many years of service. It’s important when choosing which asphalt companies to use that they have the experience and expertise to do the job right and be available to service their work.

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Pavement and Fuel Consumption: Is There a Link?

Fuel efficiency in motor vehicles has been a major concern ever since the 1970s and has garnered even more attention in recent years due to the global warming debate. Interested parties include environmentalists, government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, the trucking and transportation industries, and the everyday consumer driving their cars. The focus has mainly been centered on creating better vehicle designs, with more aerodynamic forms and fuel-efficient engines, as well as alternative fuels. But recently a whole new field of environmental science has emerged that is taking a close look at the pavement that vehicles drive on and how it affects fuel efficiency. Their findings so far indicate that pavement does indeed have a significant impact on how much fuel a vehicle uses with far-reaching implications for those concerned with road construction and asphalt maintenance.

Roughness And Responsiveness

Asphalt is by far the most used material for building roadways around the world, accounting for about 90% of the 2.5 million miles of pavement existing in the U.S. and 3.2 million miles in Europe. The scientists and engineers who are studying the relationship between pavement characteristics and fuel consumption are generally measuring the effects of three basic factors:

  • Roughness – The smoothness of the roadway affects the drive train components and suspension system of a vehicle as well as the flexing of the sidewalls of the tires. A rough pavement makes these systems work harder, which in turn causes the engine to work harder to overcome these stresses, using more fuel.
  • Macrotexture – This is a measurement of the pavement surface that has an effect on the friction and resistance between the tires and the road.
  • Structural Responsiveness – This is a measure of how much a pavement material will deform, or give, under the weight of a vehicle passing over it.

All of these factors taken together have a big impact on fuel consumption. And they change over time as the roadway is used and as natural elements such as heat, cold, and water deteriorate the pavement and cause potholes and rough surfaces requiring asphalt repair.

Smoother Is Better And Asphalt Is Best

The research has shown that the smoothness of pavement is the dominant factor in fuel efficiency. The rougher the road, the greater the fuel consumption. And the studies have shown that asphalt is the best material for the construction and maintenance of smooth pavements. A U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report in 1999 stated: “Concrete roads may produce rougher readings than asphalt roads, even if the concrete road is of very high quality. Features such as joints between sections can contribute to the roughness of concrete highways.”

It’s clear that making a bigger investment in asphalt maintenance on the nation’s highways and byways at the federal, state, and local level will have significant benefits for fuel-efficiency. This would not only help to make for a cleaner environment, but it would save the trucking and transportation industries, as well as the average consumer, a lot of money on fuel costs, which would be good for the economy. It would also mean significant savings on vehicle maintenance and repair.

Adequate asphalt maintenance and repair should be a high priority for the nation’s policymakers. It’s the right thing to do.