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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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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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THE LIFECYCLE OF ASPHALT

As with everything, asphalt has a beginning and an end. Understanding asphalt’s lifecycle comes down to understanding how and why asphalt eventually needs to be replaced. That replacement date ultimately comes down to several factors. So, what is asphalt’s lifecycle and what are some of the reasons it needs replacement?

Long before the asphalt is laid down, it gets blended. There are several different formulations and varying price ranges for each. Those formulations are made up of gravel, aggregates, sand, stones, and asphalt, which is itself a combination of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Lower priced asphalt will typically last from 5 to 15 or more years. More expensive asphalt can last up to 25 years or more. However, how the asphalt is laid plays a big role in how long it lasts.

The asphalt mixture is hot mixed and the site is prepared through a series of predetermined steps. First, the area is demolished and the debris is removed with heavy-duty equipment. Next, the area is prepared so that it can accommodate water drainage. The third step involves preparing the sub-base which is then compacted by equipment. The binder is then laid down which is large aggregate mixed with oil. Finally, the top layer of asphalt is added which provides a smooth surface finish.

Asphalt Maintenance

Properly maintained asphalt can last much longer than asphalt that’s left on its own. Proper asphalt repair includes cleaning oil stands, removing rocks and debris, fixing cracks with crack sealing, patching holes, and regularly applying seal-coating. Regular asphalt maintenance goes a long way to extending the asphalt’s life.

However, there are other factors that determine how long the asphalt lasts. One factor includes the amount of traffic the asphalt handles. The weight of that traffic is another factor. Therefore, a high-traffic industrial area where trucks and equipment are present will have a more compound effect on the asphalt than vehicles that weigh less.

The weather and environment are other factors. Extremely cold temperatures can crack the asphalt and the process of freezing and thawing can cause the asphalt to rise and buckle. High heat is also a problem. It can cause the asphalt to expand, thereby exposing soft spots that can easily become large holes. Here is a general breakdown of the lifecycle for asphalt in five separate stages.

Stage 1: 0-5 years

Freshly installed asphalt shouldn’t need any maintenance or upkeep during this initial stage aside from routine seasonal care and general tidying up.

Stage 2: 5-7 years

After the first five years, cracks begin to form in the asphalt and the freshly-paved luster starts to fade. It’s time for some initial maintenance!

Stage 3: 7-15 years

Once your asphalt starts reaching double digits in age, you’ll need to start paying closer attention to regular maintenance.

Stage 4: 15-25 years

This is typically the time in your asphalt’s life when major repairs start becoming more common.

Stage 5: 25 or more years

If your asphalt has made it this far, then congratulations! However, it’s more than likely that now is the time the asphalt has to be replaced.

It’s good practice to continually remove debris and oil stains regardless of which stage the asphalt is in. Doing this will protect your investment and ensure that you’re not forced to cover the costs of replacing the asphalt too early.

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6 Common Myths About Concrete

Concrete is that all-important material so critical to large-scale industrial, commercial, and residential construction projects. In fact, aside from water, no other material is used more than concrete. Its wide range of uses means it’s the preferred material for concrete companies when erecting standing structures like bridges and buildings.

However, despite how much it’s used, there are some common misconceptions about this universally-adopted material. To clear the air, here are 6 common myths about concrete debunked.

1. Concrete is always a gray color.

While concrete initially has a gray color, it doesn’t necessarily mean that gray will be the final color. There are multiple additives and mineral colors that can be blended into the concrete mixture long before it’s dried. These additives can change the color of the concrete once hardened. This is ideal for residential and commercial projects where maintaining an aesthetic is critical.

2. You can use acid to strip a concrete sealant.

This is perhaps the most common misconception and it’s a dangerous one. Acid should never be used to strip concrete sealant, no matter what the reason. Acid’s corrosive properties can seriously damage the concrete’s integrity and allow water to permeate throughout the concrete. The best solution is to avoid acid altogether and use a solvent or sealant remover.

3. Concrete and cement are the same thing.

No, concrete and cement are not the same. Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Cement is mixed with water, sand, gravel, and other aggregates and additives when making concrete. There are very few applications where cement is used on its own. Cement is a dry powder that acts as a binder for all the additives, water, and aggregates in order to make concrete harden.

4. The higher the compressive strength, the more durable the concrete.

Strength and durability are not the same. Concrete’s compressive strength can vary from a low of 2,500 psi to a high of 10,000 psi. However, strength refers to how much load/weight the concrete can withstand. Durability refers to how long the concrete can maintain that load/weight without degradation (breaking down).

Several conditions can affect the concrete’s durability such as freeze-thaw cycles, corrosion, cracking, and sulfate or chemical reactions. The best way to maintain concrete’s durability is by using a top-notch sealant that helps to keep water and other substances from seeping inside and degrading the concrete.

5. Concrete is impermeable.

Actually, concrete is not impermeable. Concrete is actually porous, which means water, fumes and noxious liquids can pass through the top layer of the concrete relatively easily. This can take anywhere from a day, to a month, or even several years. This is why using a high-quality sealant is so important to protect the concrete from the outside elements.

6. You can lay concrete any time of year.

Unfortunately, you simply cannot lay concrete any time of the year or under all conditions. Extreme weather conditions affect how concrete hardens. Below freezing or excessively hot temperatures will prevent the concrete mixture from properly drying.

Concrete installation shouldn’t be done in the extremely cold winter months or the high heat of summer. Instead, spring and fall are the best seasons for mixing and hardening concrete.

Interested in a proactive, customer-centric partner for your next construction project? If so, contact us now.

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Timing, Materials, and Labor Determine Asphalt Crack Sealing Project Costs

No property owner wants to unnecessarily spend more money than necessary when hiring a professional to perform asphalt maintenance. Driveways and parking areas typically require asphalt crack repair every 1-3 years to keep them looking pristine and functioning properly. That being said, the average residential or commercial property owner does not have expertise in asphalt maintenance and repair costs.

Knowing the telltale signs that your surface requires prompt asphalt crack repair treatment and care can be somewhat murky. But by knowing when to reach out to a contractor and how pricing works, property owners can make informed decisions. If you believe your driveway or parking lot may need asphalt maintenance and repair, these are things to consider.

What Property Owners Need to Know About Surface Preparation

It’s not uncommon for everyday people to wait too long to hire a contractor. On the other side of the coin, some property owners pay for asphalt maintenance and repairs prematurely. Recognizing the signs, and getting the timing right, can save property owners money. If you notice any of the following, consider getting a quote.

  • Small cracks seem to be spreading.
  • Stone coloration shows through sealant.
  • Small potholes or depressions appear.

The cost of asphalt crack repair and will largely be driven by the percentage of the defects. Property owners shouldn’t allow cracks to cover more than 30 percent of the driveway and never wait until they have separated to ¼ inch in width. Dealing with this normal reaction to severe heat expansion and cold-weather contraction typically calls for routine asphalt maintenance. This may involve workers clearing away loose debris, cleaning cracks, applying filler before sealants. It’s crucial to make repairs and not allow excessive cracking and damage can shorten the life of a driveway or parking area.

Crack Sealing Material Drives Asphalt Maintenance Costs

The cost of sealing an asphalt surface is significantly less expensive than having to repave it. Asphalt crack repair filler and sealants can run less than $1 per square foot of materials, depending on the region. These costs usually increase year-over-year, and issues such as materials shortages and inflation can cause unexpected spikes in price. But all things being equal, the sealants used for asphalt crack repair are generally nominal. Commonly used material may include the following.

  • Asphalt Polymer Emulsion: This eco-friendly material offers reduced application odors. However, it may offer lower protection against oil and gasoline staining.
  • Coal Tar: This most widely used and cost-effective asphalt maintenance material, it provides significant staining protection.
  • Acrylic: Comprised of acrylic and polymers, this option offers sound resistance to staining and remains environmentally friendly. It does rank among the more expensive materials used for asphalt maintenance and repair.

Property owners that may be impacted by downtime sometimes employ fast-drying asphalt sealant materials. Some products can allow foot traffic to resume in a matter of hours, depending on weather and surface conditions. These materials also offer opportunities for automobile traffic sooner as well. However, the downside involves resealing more frequently.

Manpower Cost of Asphalt Maintenance and Crack Repair

It’s not uncommon for asphalt surface contractors to charge property owners based on square footage, over and against the estimated manual labor involved in surface preparation and material applications. Construction professionals with the knowledge and experience to make lasting repairs are in high demand, and workers typically earn the prevailing wages of a specific area. However, the relatively low cost of hiring professionals to make crack repairs usually outweighs DIY struggles and the high price of repaving.