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THE AVERAGE COST OF PREVENTING AND FIXING POTHOLES IN 2020

Pothole repair can be quite frustrating but it doesn’t have to be. By being proactive and fixing asphalt cracks, you can prevent potholes from occurring in the first place. However, if you need to fix potholes in the area where you live, there are professional options you can use. In this article, we’ll go over the basics behind how potholes are made and what the average cost of preventing and fixing potholes is in 2020.

How Potholes Are Made

Understanding how potholes are formed in the first place is one key to preventing them in the future. They are caused by the expansion and contraction of groundwater that is located underneath the pavement and can begin to form during the winter season thanks to the expansion of this groundwater that freezes as a result of the cooler temperatures. This expansion underneath the pavement causes cracks in the asphalt. Over time, as more cars and trucks pass over this area, the concrete material continues to weaken. This forms a hole that can trap melted water. This melted water can then freeze again and begin a cycle that leads to the expansion of the now formed pothole.

Pothole Fixing Costs

If this cycle has had enough time to repeat over and over and over again, you might find yourself face to face with a major problem, be it on your driveway, sidewalk, or roadway in front of your home. Especially with the winter here and cooler temperatures upon us, that groundwater has had time to freeze over and produce cracks in the pavement. The amount you pay depends heavily on the severity of the pothole which is why it is important to take notice of and fix asphalt cracks early on.

But going back to the matter at hand, the cost to fix pothole in 2020 will typically be around $100 to $350. Additional asphalt sealing costs can range from $200 to $600 and, again, depends on the severity of the pothole. Because fixing a pothole in freezing conditions, it is not for the faint of heart. Your best bet is to hire a trained professional that has experience with a wide range of pothole and asphalt crack issues. In addition to how large the pothole is that you are looking to fix, the quality of the materials, the slope of the pothole, and piping that needs to be taken into consideration and worked around can factor into raising costs.

Taking Preventative Measures

As we mentioned, pothole repair is not easy and you will be dejected after you find out that you’ve incorrectly filled the pothole with the wrong amount of concrete. However, by taking stock of your current driveway’s wellbeing, you can prevent potholes from occurring in the first place by dealing with those initial cracks. Even better, try finding the source of groundwater leakage and prevent it from freezing underneath the pavement. Some other precautionary measures you can take include repairing the crack as soon as possible with infill and overbanding to prevent water from entering the pavement and softening the material. Overbanding uses a thermoplastic material to stop water from entering the roadway surface and is ideal for high traffic areas.

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How Does Asphalt Paving Work

No matter if you are a beginner or a seasoned construction worker, knowing the proper method of asphalt paving can make or break your ability to be successful in this industry. No matter if you are starting your own company, work for someone else, or if you simply want to learn the basics of asphalt paving, you should know that the method is often the most important part of the job. That said, the following is a short guide on the basics of asphalt construction.

The 7 Areas of Pavement Construction

If you are searching for the basics of pavement construction, they are as follows:

  1. Site prep: Before you are able to begin paving, you must make sure the site is properly prepared. This can involve the replacement of areas that are extremely damaged, milling, applying of a leveling course, and more. Every site is different. However, you need to make sure each site is properly prepared before you can begin construction.
  2. Demolition and removal of old material: Next, you must demolish and remove any materials and debris that may stand to adversely affect your paving efforts. This can provide the use of bobcats, forklifts, large dump trucks, forklifts, heavy machinery, and more. The purpose of this step is to remove the existing surface, so your site can be prepared to receive the new asphalt.
  3. Grading: The purpose of this step is to make sure the area is prepared for the appropriate water drainage necessary to sustain the new pavement over time. Using various tools and technology (most often, laser transit), this step is done to ensure the new pavement will not be greatly damaged by rain, water, and other watery elements.
  4. Base: One of the most important parts of creating new asphalt pavement is to ensure that the sub-base is laid properly. As we know, having a stable foundation is vital to being able to properly build anything. This is because the sub-base serves as a stable support for new pavement. Additionally, the sub-base is also important because it can help protect the new asphalt from the winter elements.
  5. Binder: Next, the binder is added. This consists of a larger aggregate and oil mixture, which makes it exceptionally strong and durable. In short, the binder is considered to be the strength behind all new asphalt surfaces.
  6. Final surface layer: Once you had added the binder, it is now time to install the top layer of your asphalt surface. This is a smaller aggregate mixed with sand and soil. The combination of the previous material mixed with this layer creates the smooth, shiny, jet black asphalt, which most are accustomed to.
  7. Joints/transitions: Lastly, since most surfaces are connected to things such as driveways, parking lots, and roadways, asphalt construction workers must take the time to smooth the transition spaces between the new and older surfaces. This not only makes everything safer, smoother, and sturdier, but it also makes everything appear more uniform and professional.

Overall, there are various methods of asphalt paving. No matter which method you choose, you must be sure that you are completing each step with the utmost precision and professionalism. Otherwise, the new asphalt will become akin to old asphalt and will thus, will need to be redone by a contractor or company that can.

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Why Is Drainage Important for Asphalt Pavements?

If you’re planning on building a parking lot or sidewalk, one of the most important things that you need to consider is drainage. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked because it’s not something you can see when you look at a parking lot. Water is the number one culprit in deteriorating asphalt, but with proper planning, you can avoid water damage and deterioration, and ensure the longevity of your site.

Warning Signs of Poor Drainage

If your parking lot has a weak drainage system, it’s pretty evident not too long after your project is complete. If your site has poor drainage after completion, a few of the warning signs you may experience include:

  • Stagnant water pooling in areas, and running down the lot
  • Evidence of rock, sand, or dusty residue in low spots indicated that the water is breaking down the asphalt
  • Water coming through exterior walls and structures

What happens if your site doesn’t include drainage?

Without proper drainage, the longevity of your site and structure will decrease rapidly. Poor drainage can lead to damaged exterior walls, cars, pedestrians, infect local water resources, and penetrate the asphalt’s surface. As standing water penetrates the asphalt, it gets into the subsoil and weakens the base causing cracks. If you want to ensure that your pavement is durable and longlasting, make sure that your asphalt company incorporates appropriate drainage planning into your project.

Drainage Features for Consideration During Planning

When planning proper drainage for your asphalt paving project, there are a few features that you need to take into consideration for your install. Your asphalt company should be able to provide you with an analysis and assessment of your site and present you with the best drainage options for your particular needs. Here are a few areas of consideration that your asphalt company will address during planning.

Slope

If your site is level and prime for pooling water, your planning should include creating a hill. A slight slope (2% grade) in your parking lot or sidewalk allows the water to flow to the outside and not pool in the middle.

Water Direction

Your drainage system should be designed to direct the water away from the exterior walls and create a path to exit appropriately. You need to make sure that water has a place to go that isn’t in your parking lot!

Asphalt Curbing

Including curbing in your planning and design can help you direct water into grassy areas, by providing a tunnel through the curb line. At the end of the curb line, you’ll have installed a drainage point.

Drains & Inlets

Strategically placing drains and inlets around your site gives water an appropriate place to go. Drains and inlets work well with slopes, directing contaminated water.

Pollution Control

Water coming out of parking lots and sidewalks can pick up a variety of pollutants as it flows through your site. Proper drainage planning includes consideration of where the water’s final destination is. It should be in a place that will not infect the water system and disposed of appropriately.

Planning the construction of a parking lot or sidewalk can be a lot of work, but unless you want to deal with numerous maintenance issues like cracks and breaks, make sure that drainage planning is part of your process before your asphalt pavers show up. Not only will it save you a ton of money in upkeep, but it ensures that your investment is built to last and endure for the longterm.

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5 Types of Asphalt Pavement

Did you know that asphalt is the most reused, recycled, and most versatile pavement material? Well, 94% of the 2.6 million American paved roads are made with asphalt. It has been known to be smooth, quiet, safe, and durable.

The pavement structures can be developed in such a way that they can handle any kind of load from passengers to cars and heavy trucks. During asphalt construction, the surface mixes can be customized to reduce splash, absorb noise, and even treat rainwater.

If you are a business owner planning to take on a pavement project, here are five asphalt types that you may want to check before making a decision.

1. Porous Asphalt

The porous asphalt has been there since 1970. It is majorly used in parking lots to allow smooth drainage of rainwater after heavy rainstorms. If storm water isn’t appropriately drained and pools on an asphalt surface, it may cause other defects like potholes, which are dangerous to both pedestrians and motorists.

Porous asphalt prevents potholes and other water-related damages by offering the rainwater a channel to drain. The asphalt companywill place a layer of porous asphalt over a reservoir of the pen graded stone. This way, the water will travel through the pavement, to the stone bed, and eventually infiltrating the soil. When carefully done and maintained, porous asphalt can last over 20 years.

2. Perpetual Pavement

This is a combination of the several layers type of design process and asphalt. From that collaboration, you can tell that they’re long-lasting, smooth, and durable. The process begins by applying a base layer that is base crack-resistant, flexible, and strong enough to handle traffic tension.

The mid-layer offers structure, and the top layer provides that rut-resistant surface to give asphalt the required durability. Installing perpetual pavement is quite straightforward for any experienced asphalt company. It is fast and does not disrupt traffic. If well maintained and given that restorative care, perpetual pavements can last more than 50 years.

3. Quiet Pavement

From its name, quiet pavement is a unique type of asphalt that helps reduce traffic noise. Paving roads with asphalt reduces noise both outside and inside homes and workplaces.

The porous and the open-graded asphalts are popular quiet pavement mixtures as they dissipate the sound energy made by tires. Finely mixed asphalt mixtures can significantly reduce noise as they can decrease contact between the tire and the pavement.

4. Warm-Mix Asphalt

The warm-mix asphalt is made the same way as the hot-mix asphalt only that it is about 50 -100 degrees cooler than the hot-mix asphalt. Reducing asphalt temperature has a number of benefits, including lowering greenhouse gas production during manufacture and mixing, and also reduce fuel consumption.

Other benefits include increased production, improved long-term durability, extended paving season, and the ability to incorporate the reclaimed asphalt pavement.

5. Thin Overlays

Thin overlays reduce pavement distress, lifecycle costs, noise levels, and improves ride quality. Thin asphalt overlays were the most commonly used in preventative maintenance treatments according to a 1999 survey by AASHTO. They provide functional improvements that increase smoothness and safety.

However, it is essential for a business owner to understand that thin overlays aren’t appropriate for all pavements. You may need to carefully examine the existing pavement to determine the functional, structural, and drainage conditions of that pavement.

 

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Four Advantages of Parking Lot Curbing

The easier it is for people to park and visit your place of business, the more likely you are to turn a profit and stay open. Yet, many business owners overlook the importance of the layout of their parking areas. A well-designed and properly built parking lot helps to streamline visitation and greatly enhance business potential. Curbing helps to define parking areas and make a business much more attractive and inviting to new and returning customers. In many ways, curbs are highly useful business tools that often get ignored.

Curbs are very useful tools for controlling vehicular and foot traffic. They also help to control water runoff and debris, while enabling faster and more efficient cleaning. When you own a commercial property, do not make the mistake of overlooking the importance of parking lot curbing and how it impacts your business and personal property. Here are four advantages that you get from a high-quality parking lot curb:

1. More Attractive Appearance

Good, clean parking lots always are more appealing than dirty, disorienting layouts. The old saying “curb appeal” describes the ideal parking lot curb that provide clean, straight lines and readily apparent borders between parking and pedestrian areas. The more attractive the external appearance, the more likely people will choose to stop and visit, rather than move on to a more appealing location.

2. Improved Safety

A parking lot can enhance safety when its curbs and lines are laid out clearly. That makes it easier to separate foot traffic and vehicles and improve general safety conditions for customers and business owners alike. It also helps to cut down on fender-benders and other accidents in your parking lot. The easier it is for drivers and pedestrians to navigate the parking area, the safer it becomes. The safer it is, the less stress drivers and pedestrians have while visiting your place.

3. Easier Cleaning and Maintenance

A parking lot curb helps to trap and isolate dirt and debris moved around by wind, rain and people. The curb provides a barrier between foot traffic and the parking area that traps dirt and debris. That makes it much easier to collect and dispose of, while improving drainage during rainstorms. Street sweepers and other cleaners can get at the isolated debris and clean it up faster and more readily than when there is no curb. Snow removal also is much easier when the curb provides a barrier between the plow and sidewalk.

4. Better Parking Areas

Curbs do more than control traffic and improve safety and cleaning. They also strengthen the parking lot by anchoring asphalt paving. Concrete curbs improve compaction when parking lots are built. They also increase the parking area’s stiffness and strength with their weight, and maintain edges against roadway traffic. The curbs also work well for deflecting vehicle loads that otherwise might damage walkways and parking areas. Instead, the curbs deflect those loads, which extends the life of your parking area.

Your parking area is a very important part of your business plan. You need to ensure it has an optimal design that enhances your business aims and makes it easier for people to visit you in person. Curb appeal always helps to make any business better.