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The Benefits of Asphalt Concrete for Colorado Business Owners and Homeowners

Asphalt concrete is a widely used material in road construction, known for its durability and cost-effectiveness. This material, a blend of asphalt binder and mineral aggregate, has been the backbone of Colorado’s roads, supporting the state’s transportation infrastructure. Whether you’re a business owner seeking to enhance your property’s value or a homeowner aiming for a smooth driveway, asphalt concrete offers unparalleled benefits. This article delves into the advantages, components, and applications of asphalt concrete, focusing on its relevance to Colorado’s unique climate and the needs of both businesses and residential properties.

Understanding Asphalt Concrete

What is Asphalt Concrete?

Asphalt concrete, often simply referred to as asphalt, is a composite material used primarily for paving roads, parking lots, and driveways. It consists of two main components: asphalt binder and aggregates. The asphalt binder, a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid, acts as the glue that holds the aggregate together. The aggregates, which can include sand, gravel, and crushed stone, provide the structural framework and resistance needed for the pavement.

Types of Asphalt Concrete

There are several types of asphalt concrete, each with specific characteristics and applications:

  1. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): This is the most common type of asphalt concrete, mixed and heated at a central plant. It is durable and suitable for high-traffic areas.
  2. Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA): Mixed at lower temperatures, WMA uses less energy and reduces emissions. It is gaining popularity for its environmental benefits.
  3. Cold Mix Asphalt: Used for temporary repairs and low-traffic roads, cold mix asphalt does not require heating.

Benefits of Asphalt Concrete

Durability and Longevity

Asphalt concrete is renowned for its durability. Properly designed and constructed asphalt pavements can last for decades with minimal maintenance. This long lifespan is crucial for Colorado, where harsh winters and heavy snowfall can take a toll on road surfaces.

Cost-Effectiveness

Asphalt is a cost-effective material for road construction and maintenance. Its relatively low initial cost and ease of repair make it an attractive option for both business owners and homeowners in Colorado. Additionally, asphalt roads can be constructed quickly, reducing the impact on traffic and commerce for businesses and ensuring minimal disruption for residential areas.

Smooth and Quiet Ride

One of the standout features of asphalt concrete is the smooth and quiet ride it provides. The flexible nature of asphalt absorbs road noise, resulting in quieter highways. This is particularly beneficial for business owners who want to create a pleasant environment for customers and homeowners who value peace and tranquility in their neighborhoods.

Sustainability

Asphalt is a recyclable material. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) can be reused in new asphalt mixes, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing waste. This sustainability aspect aligns well with Colorado’s commitment to environmental conservation, appealing to eco-conscious business owners and homeowners alike.

The Role of Asphalt Concrete in Colorado

Adapting to Colorado’s Climate

Colorado’s climate poses unique challenges for road construction. The state experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with hot summers and freezing winters. These conditions can cause materials to expand and contract, leading to cracks and potholes.

Asphalt concrete, with its flexible nature, is well-suited to handle these temperature variations. It can expand and contract without breaking, making it an ideal choice for Colorado’s roads. Additionally, the use of de-icing agents and snow plows can damage road surfaces, but asphalt’s durability ensures it can withstand these stresses better than many other materials.

Supporting Economic Growth for Business Owners

A robust transportation infrastructure is vital for economic growth. Asphalt concrete plays a critical role in maintaining and expanding Colorado’s road network, facilitating the movement of goods and people. Well-maintained roads attract businesses, support tourism, and improve the quality of life for residents. For business owners, this means better accessibility and a smoother experience for customers, which can translate to higher foot traffic and increased sales.

Enhancing Residential Properties

For homeowners, asphalt concrete offers a reliable and attractive solution for driveways and walkways. Its smooth surface enhances curb appeal and provides a safe, durable path for vehicles and pedestrians. Investing in a quality asphalt driveway can increase property value and reduce long-term maintenance costs, making it a smart choice for residential improvements.

Asphalt Construction and Maintenance Practices

Design and Construction

The design and construction of asphalt pavements involve several critical steps to ensure longevity and performance:

  1. Site Preparation: Proper drainage and a stable base are essential for a durable asphalt pavement. This involves grading and compacting the soil to create a solid foundation.
  2. Mix Design: The composition of the asphalt mix is tailored to the specific needs of the project. Factors such as traffic load, climate, and intended use influence the selection of aggregates and binder.
  3. Paving: The asphalt mix is heated and transported to the site, where it is spread and compacted using specialized equipment. Proper compaction is crucial to eliminate air voids and ensure a smooth surface.
  4. Finishing: After paving, the surface is smoothed and finished to the desired texture. This can include additional compaction and the application of a seal coat to protect against weather and wear.

Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of asphalt pavements. Maintenance practices include:

  1. Crack Sealing: Sealing cracks in the pavement prevents water from penetrating and causing further damage.
  2. Pothole Repair: Timely repair of potholes prevents them from expanding and compromising the pavement structure.
  3. Overlay: Applying a new layer of asphalt over the existing pavement can restore a smooth surface and extend the pavement’s life.
  4. Recycling: Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) can be milled and reused in new asphalt mixes, reducing waste and conserving resources.

Future Trends in Asphalt Concrete

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

The future of asphalt concrete is increasingly focused on sustainability. Researchers and engineers are exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of asphalt production and paving. This includes the use of recycled materials, such as rubber from old tires and plastic waste, in asphalt mixes. Additionally, warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies are being refined to further reduce energy consumption and emissions.

Smart and Connected Roads

The advent of smart technology is also influencing the future of asphalt pavements. Innovations such as sensors embedded in the pavement can monitor road conditions in real-time, providing valuable data for maintenance and traffic management. Connected roads can enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce congestion.

Performance-Based Specifications

Performance-based specifications are becoming more common in asphalt paving projects. These specifications focus on the desired outcomes, such as durability and skid resistance, rather than prescribing specific materials or construction methods. This approach encourages innovation and allows contractors to use the best available technologies and practices to achieve the desired results.

The Future of Asphalt

Asphalt concrete remains a vital material for Colorado’s transportation infrastructure. Its durability, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to the state’s climate make it an ideal choice for road construction and maintenance. For business owners, investing in asphalt paving means better accessibility, increased property value, and a smoother customer experience. Homeowners can enjoy the benefits of a long-lasting, attractive driveway that enhances curb appeal and reduces maintenance costs.

As technology advances and sustainability becomes increasingly important, the future of asphalt concrete looks promising, with innovations poised to enhance its performance and reduce its environmental impact. Colorado’s commitment to maintaining and improving its road network ensures that asphalt concrete will continue to play a crucial role in keeping the state’s roads smooth, safe, and efficient for years to come. Whether you’re a business owner looking to improve your property or a homeowner seeking a reliable driveway solution, asphalt concrete offers a proven, cost-effective, and sustainable choice for all your paving needs.

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How To Treat Oil Spots On Asphalt Parking Lots Or Driveways

No one likes to see oil spots on the driveway or in a parking lot. They are not pleasant to see and challenging to clean. Oil spots on asphalt can do more than just look unattractive. They can cause extensive damage to the asphalt. However, there are some ways to treat it once there are oil spots on the asphalt.

Option #1 – Fresh Oil Spots

When there are new oil spots on your driveway or parking lot, these are the easiest ones to clean. A new oil spot on asphalt is a stain on the surface. The best way to clean this is to use detergent to scrub the oil spot. Once you have completely scrubbed it, you want to rinse it with water thoroughly. This will remove the oil and detergent. Once you have removed the oil spot, you want to add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt.

If the oil spot is still wet, you can use kitty litter to soak up the oil. You can use an entire bag of kitty litter to cover the stain. Stomp on the kitty litter to help it absorb the oil. Leave the kitty litter on the stain overnight, then scoop up the kitty litter and dispose of the waste. If that does not work, you can use baking soda as that is great for absorbing oil. You can sprinkle the baking soda on the oil and scrub it with a stiff brush. After the baking soda has sat for 30 minutes, rinse it with a hose. You can also use a steam pressure washer to turn the oil into a liquid and whisk it away. This may be the most effective way to remove the oil.

Option #2 – Stains Seeped into Asphalt

When an oil stain sits on asphalt, it seeps into the asphalt. Once this happens, the asphalt material begins to fall apart. It requires more substantial treatment than detergent and water. Oil seeped into the asphalt dissolves the binder, and chunks will start to break off. Once this happens, the asphalt cracks and may make a slight depression in the asphalt. As long as pitting has not occurred in the asphalt, infrared hear can be used for asphalt repair. Once you have used infrared heat to repair the asphalt, you want to add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt.

Option #3 – New Asphalt is Needed

The damage from the oil stains on the asphalt can be so extensive that they begin to soften the pavement, which means you need to start over again with new asphalt. This requires the impacted area to be cut out with a saw and a patch applied over the area. Once the patch is applied, you should add a seal coating layer to protect the asphalt. This is usually an inexpensive repair, but it is critical to avoid more significant concerns with potholes in the driveway or parking lot.

Option #4 – Prevent Asphalt Damage

The best way to protect your driveway or parking lot from damage is to use seal coating services. This process seals the asphalt so that items such as oil do not penetrate the surface and cause more damage.

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4 Ways Asphalt Paving in Colorado Helps the Community

Asphalt paving is a vital part of the transportation infrastructure for Colorado. This type of pavement provides a safe, cost-effective and environmental friendly for the roads, bridges and parking areas. It plays a significant role in the Colorado community. Asphalt pavements is a combination of aggregates of stone, gravel or sand that are bound together using some asphalt cement, which is derived from crude oil.

A large percentage (94%) of American roads and highways are paved with asphalt. Construction and maintenance of these smooth asphalt pavements is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and completely recyclable. They offer a safe and long-lasting surface for all types of transportation modes such as foot trails, bike trails, roads and airport runways.

Some benefits of asphalt paving are:

1. Quieter Roads

Noise pollution is everywhere. One of the best ways to lower road noise is to deal with the issue at its source. By using asphalt pavements on roadways, noise in residential areas and businesses can be lowered significantly. Stone Matrix Asphalt can reduce road noise by 3-5 dB(A). Using asphalt to combat highway noise is even more effective than noise barrier walls.

2. Recyclable

Asphalt pavement and processing facilities have very low carbon footprint. Asphalt Pavement Alliance says that production of asphalt pavements emits less greenhouse gases compared to other concrete pavements. Asphalt pavements are highly recycled in America. 100 million tonnes of this type of pavements are reclaimed every year, and out of that, more than 95 percent is recycled or reused, thus saving the taxpayers money and less use of landfills.

Sustainability is very important in today’s society. Asphalt can be used over and over again, like an infinite life cycle. This one of the biggest reasons why asphalt is popularly used across the country. Most companies strive to use environment friendly materials; the recyclable nature of asphalt makes it a great product.

3. Create new jobs

A career in the asphalt industry means job security. Road construction is always happening in Colorado; new roads are being installed while existing roads require regular maintenance to enhance safety. From repairing potholes, to filling cracks, asphalt contractors are always busy trying to keep the Colorado roads clear, smooth and safer for drivers. Furthermore, construction of new business buildings means a need for parking lots installation as well as regular maintenance, which means job security in this field is great.

The asphalt pavement industry offers: local jobs that are usually pay well and last for long, heightened community transport infrastructure, improved standards of living for the local people, eco-friendly products, and economic development.

4. Asphalt is great for winter roads

Winter can be hard on pavements; the freezing, thawing, deicers, plowing and the immense weight of plow trucks contribute more to the damaging effects of the cold weather. However, some pavements can hold up better than other during this season.

Extreme winter weather can ruin paved surfaces. Asphalt pavement is not only quick to install, but is resistant to harsh weather too. Asphalt roadways can be able to withstand cold temperatures during weather in both the low traffic and high traffic areas.

Hot-mix asphalt is the best when it comes to ensuring that the roadways are free of potholes and cracks during winter. It is asphalt pavement that is poured immediately after mixing aggregates of sand and stone with petroleum on to the road while the mixture is still hot. The hot-mix asphalt is strong and long-lasting, resistant to freezing and thawing, not affected by deicing agents, flexible, cost-effective, and needs little maintenance.

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6 Must-know Tips for Preparing Your Concrete for a Long Life

Pouring a new slab of concrete may look simple, but in all actuality, it takes a lot of finesse and a lot of attention to detail. The final outcome can look absolutely amazing, and this is why you will want to do all you can to make sure the concrete slab looks new for as long as possible. Fortunately, taking care of concrete isn’t as difficult as many people make it out to be. For now, let’s take a quick look at six tips for preparing your concrete for a long life.

1) Make Sure It Is Poured By Professionals

The first step you will want to follow to make sure your commercial concrete lasts as long as possible is to have it poured by professionals. And not only do you want it poured by professionals, but you want it to be mixed by professionals too. In fact, the mixture of the concrete is the number one determining factor in how well the concrete will set up.

2) Use a Microfiber Pad

When cleaning concrete floors, it is best to use a microfiber pad as this helps remove dirt particles without scratching the concrete. And since concrete has a soil as an ingredient, it is not uncommon for the dust to be quite thick on concrete floors, meaning they should be cleaned at least three to four times a week.

3) Use a Neutral Floor Cleaner

Using plain water to mop your concrete floors is a great idea because it doesn’t mess with the chemicals in the concrete. Unfortunately, though, using plain water won’t always remove all of the dust and dirt that has been attracted to the concrete floors. With this in mind, you will need to add a neutral floor cleaner to the mop water at least twice a week when cleaning the floors.

4) Clean All Concrete Floors

Some people think that the only concrete floors that need cleaning are the ones inside. The truth is, though, whether it be concrete sidewalks, concrete garage floors or concrete driveways, all of these areas need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Driveways should be cleaned at least twice a season, while garage floors should be cleaned at least once a month. And if possible, concrete sidewalks should be cleaned at least once a week.

5) Clean Stains As Soon As Possible

If you spill something on the concrete, you will want to clean it up as quickly as possible before it sets into the concrete and stains it. If spills and stains absorb into the concrete, it can lead to decay and you want to avoid this.

6) Always Dry Mop the Wet Floor Cleaner

You don’t ever want your cleaning agent to become dry on the concrete floors. Instead, you want to clean the floors and dry mop them before the cleaning agent dries. If the cleaning agent dries on the floor, it can lead to cracks and decay.

The Takeaway

Regardless of the concrete project,, you will want to take advantage of commercial concrete installation. Concrete companies that have prior experience in pouring concrete and can make sure the job is done right the first time around as well as provide you with lots of helpful tips for extending the life of your concrete floors.

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What are the Side Effects of Paving Asphalt over Concrete?

Many people who are looking for a new asphalt surface for their parking lot or driveway will simply pave over an existing concrete service. This can save time and money. However, many experts do not recommend it for a wide variety of different reasons. Asphalt paved over concrete tends to crack and be bumpy to the point where it could be dangerous for pedestrians and damaging to vehicles. This article lays out several reasons why you should consider having a concrete removed before the asphalt poured. To learn more about why professionals recommend the concrete be removed in the first place, read on.

The Surface Will Not Be as Smooth

The first and most obvious negative aspect of paving asphalt over concrete is that the surface will not be as smooth. You have no doubts seen when asphalt has been laid on over concrete and is bumpy and uneven. Even the best professional paving companies will likely end up with results that don’t meet your expectations due to the bumpiness of the surface. If the concrete itself has been poorly laid and is bumpy and cracked, this effect will be greatly exaggerated.

The Asphalt Will Be More Likely To Crack

Asphalt laid over concrete is also much more likely to crack. This is due to two main reasons. Number one, if the concrete is cracked or damaged below the asphalt it will not provide a stable surface and will likely cause cracks in the asphalt in the same places. Number two, concrete is known to expand and contract based on the weather conditions. This will cause cracks in the concrete as well as in the asphalt on top of it.

The Costs of Maintenance May Be Higher In the Long Run

The two above points, in effect, will cause the cost of maintenance to be higher in the long run. Maintaining asphalt is normally relatively cheap and not time-consuming at all. However, cracked and uneven asphalt will require a great deal more maintenance. While you may save a little bit of money by laying down asphalt over concrete in the first place, your cost will likely be higher in the long run.

The Surface May Actually Be Dangerous for Pedestrians

These days many businesses and even private citizens are worried about how dangerous surfaces could be a precursor to lawsuits. There is a small subset of people that are always looking for an opportunity to file a lawsuit. A poorly maintained or otherwise dangerous surface that causes a fall for a pedestrian could easily be the source of a lawsuit, as many different businesses have found out. For this reason and many others, you want your surface to be as even and smooth as possible.

The Asphalt May Have To Be Torn Up

Not only will maintenance of asphalt laid over concrete be higher in the long run, you may even have to tear up the asphalt due to damage from the underlying concrete. If this is the case, you will also have to tear up the concrete at the same time. This can be a very expensive proposition. This could easily be avoided by having the concrete torn up in the first place.