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The Importance of Grading & Excavating Asphalt

It is always important to be prepared to learn something new, and when matters related to asphalt installation are concerned, there are a few things that many asphalt contractors, commercial property owners, homeowners, asphalt companies and even municipality employees may need to learn.

This article will give an easy and clear step-by-step overview of what a good quality asphalt installation requires.

Step 1: Demolition and Removal

The first thing you need to do is remove the existing surface, whether it’s concrete, asphalt or pavers.

  • For the required efficiency, demolition is done using heavy machinery that includes forklifts, front loaders, bobcats and large dump trucks when necessary.
  • The debris is then removed to make the place fresh for a new immaculate installation.

Step 2: Grading and Sloping

Technology plays an integral role in helping you get the perfect surface for the most appropriate water drainage.

  • Using automatic motor graders and laser-guided transits, ensure that you grade the surface you want paved to see to it that water will run off properly without creating unnecessary swamps.
  • When you get good water drainage for your asphalt, you will prevent future damage that includes cracks, water potholes and heaving. It will also add a lot of aesthetic appeal to your space.

Step 3: Prepare the Sub Base

The most integral part of your asphalt surface is the sub-base for the following reasons:

  • It provides a stable environment for maximum support of the new pavement.
  • It is a frost barrier and plays an integral role in reducing water damage because of thawing and freezing during winter.
  • The base stability, thickness, and compaction are very important steps when installing. If one thing goes wrong and the base is not properly compacted, the asphalt surface will not produce maximum durability.

Step 4: Undercutting, Sub Base Repair and Proof Roll

When the sub is well compacted and graded, you need to provide the next step, called the proof roll, to ensure that the underlying surface base is strong enough and ready to offer solid support to the new asphalt.

  • You can drive a heavily loaded quad axle dump truck row by row over the whole surface for the best results.
  • If the gravel happens to flex more than an inch under the truck’s weight, it means the base is not so well supported.

Step 5: Binder and Surface Course

Once you lay the sub, identify any soft areas and repair them, you can add the binder.

  • The binder is a large aggregate usually mixed with oil and, therefore, very durable and strong.
  • The binder layer is the ultimate strength of any asphalt surface.

Step 6: Install New Asphalt Surface

When you lay all the supportive structures of your new asphalt surface, you can add the top asphalt layer.

  • Surface asphalt is usually made of sand, oil and small aggregate.
  • The material combination provides a smooth and shiny surface when applied properly.

Step 7: Butt Transition and Joints

It is unusual to install an asphalt surface that does not connect to parking lots, existing driveways and busy parking lots. It is, therefore, important to do the following:

  • Give maximum attention to the butt joints and ensure that old asphalt and new asphalt are compacted.
  • Ensure that the area has proper water-run off.

Final Roll

Once the asphalt and the butt joints have been well laid, you can go ahead and make sure that the entire surface is compacted and smoothened by using a roller truck. This process ensures no small bumps and stones left poking through the new surface.

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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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Repair or Replace? Top 3 Reasons to Replace Your Parking Lot Asphalt

With proper maintenance, parking lot asphalt that was professionally installed can last 20-30 years. But then, a business parking lot experiences heavy traffic and will most likely deteriorate faster than a residential driveway. Over time, you can expect it’ll lose its integrity due to wear and tear as a result of the traffic and the natural causes.

The decision whether to repair or replace your asphalt parking lot can be a hard one. You might need a professional asphalt contractor to assess the situation and advice accordingly.

When Asphalt Parking Lot Repairs Are Possible

In some cases, asphalt repair, for instance, patching, and resurfacing of the parking lot are sufficient to get your asphalt lot looking and functioning well. Patching fills the potholes or excavated areas. On the other hand, resurfacing requires installing a new asphalt over an existing one.

Such repairs will not only save your business a substantial amount of money but also extend the life of your parking lot.

Repairing your asphalt might be the right option if less than 25% of the asphalt needs repairs and the foundation is still in top shape. It might also be ideal to repair asphalt business parking lots if they’re less than 20 years old and have shallow cracks, smaller than a quarter inch wide.

3 Key Reasons to Replace Your Parking Lot Asphalt

Although asphalt is a robust parking lot option that will last many years if maintained properly, it wears down over time. Here are three reasons to replace your parking lot asphalt;

If It Has Widespread Cracks

Have you noticed severe cracks on the parking lot that are a couple of inches deep? Then your best option might be to replace the asphalt. Usually, gas, oil, de-icing soil and other substances will penetrate driveways and worsen the cracks. And during the winter, water will seep in through the cracks and expand once frozen.

It makes no economic sense to seal the cracks only to repair again after a couple of months. You might end up sinking in more money, in the long-run, than you would if you installed a new parking lot.

Parking Lot Asphalt Approaching or More than 20 Years

Asphalt has a lifespan of 15–20 years. So if your parking lot asphalt is approaching or past its prime time, then it might be ideal to replace it.

The chances are that you’re dealing with large cracks, potholes, draining issues and such problems. It’s perfectly normal for these problems to arise after many years of exposure to UV rays, harsh weather, heavy traffic, harmful chemicals, among others.

25%-35% of Total Surface Area Requires Removal

There’s no denying that asphalt repair is the less expensive option. But it reaches a point where such repairs won’t provide lasting help especially if there exist foundation and structural issues.

So if more 25%-35% of total area needs removal following considerable damage, then you might need to take a pause. In such cases, the cost of asphalt repair might exceed the cost of installing new asphalt.

The Bottom Line

Sure, regular maintenance of asphalt will prolong the lifespan of business parking lots. However, wears and tears are inevitable. While repairs may appear less costly for your business, it reaches a point where asphalt replacement might be the economical option in the long-run.