By admin Asphalt Paving • • 0 Comments

Should You Replace Or Repair Your Cracked

Asphalt Parking Lot?

Many people have asphalt parking lots finally become cracked at some point. If you do not take care of these cracks quickly, they will just spread and become worse. The question is not whether you should deal with your cracked asphalt
parking lot or not. It’s how you should deal with it. It can be difficult to know when you should replace or repair your cracked parking lot. This article will provide you with more information that will help you make this decision. To learn more, read on.

Types of Asphalt Damage Asphalt Cracking

Rutting

Asphalt cracking is the most common type of asphalt damage. It can occur due to tree roots coming through the pavement, exposure to inclement weather, or even seismic activity if you live in a susceptible area. A few minor cracks are not a big deal, as long as you keep an eye on them. If your parking lot is severely cracked, you should contact a professional.

Rutting is less common than cracking, but it is still quite common. It occurs in high traffic areas in the parking lot where the passage of many cars leads to ruts in the asphalt. If these ruts are left untreated, they can begin to collect water. If you live in a place with very acidic rain, this water may eat through the asphalt.

Types of Commercial Asphalt Repair

Crack Sealing

Seal Coating

Crack sealing is fairly self-explanatory. It involves the application of a foam or liquid to fill up the crack. This will prevent dirt and water from getting in underneath the asphalt and wreaking havoc. Different asphalt repair companies
use different fluids for crack sealing.

Even if your asphalt parking lot is not yet showing signs of damage, it may be a good idea to get a seal coating. This can prevent or reduce the risk of damage from the elements to your asphalt parking lot. It can increase the life of your parking lot by years.

Commercial Asphalt Resurfacing

Mill & Resurface

If your parking lot has sustained severe damage, you may need resurfacing. Contact a professional and ask them about resurfacing. This will involve adding 1 and 1/2 to 2 inches of fresh asphalt over the damaged asphalt. This is possible if the existing asphalt is damaged, but still structurally sound.

Milling and resurfacing is similar to simply resurfacing, but it also involves removing the top layer of asphalt. This is generally carried out if the top layer of asphalt is too damaged to simply be resurfaced. Of course, the asphalt still must be structurally sound. Otherwise, it will need to be completely replaced.

When It’s Time To Replace the Asphalt

You may initially prefer simply repairing the asphalt to replacing it because of the lower cost and shorter period of time required. However, if the asphalt is too damaged to be safely repaired and you do repair it anyway, it will simply develop problems again and need to be repaired shortly. When the asphalt is no longer structurally sound, it is time for it to be replaced. It can be difficult for a layman to determine whether the asphalt is structurally sound or not. This is why a professional should be called in for an inspection. They have no doubt worked on many asphalt parking lots, so you should listen to them if they say the asphalt needs to be replaced.

By admin Asphalt Paving • Paving • • • • 0 Comments

Should You Pave with Asphalt or Concrete?

When paving your driveway, it pays off to use the best materials possible. Whether you’re installing a new driveway, conducting driveway repair or are resituating your front yard’s layout, you should know the differences between asphalt and concrete installations.

If you don’t want to use low-end gravel or brick pavers, asphalt and concrete are your best bet. Each has advantages, but each is particular to different housing, driveway, traffic and lifestyle situations. Before picking a material, check out the differences below.

 

Concrete

When paving with concrete, you’ll have the benefit of a quick dry time. While both concrete and asphalt need to ‘cure’ before they’re driven on, concrete may take longer to dry. Concrete driveways utilize cement as a main building material.

The Positives

In general, cement driveways last longer than tar driveways. Tar is softer than cement, and it degrades quicker. With proper maintenance, a cement driveway can last ages. Additionally, a concrete drive is aesthetically pleasing if a homeowner wants a natural-looking home extension. Plus, concrete delivery is normally quick.

Concrete is an easy material to work with, and it can be manipulated to exist in a number of different finishes. Concrete can be tinted, stained and revised to display a number of colors. It can also be colored on a section-by-section basis, giving a driveway unique patterns. Concrete is a fantastic mold, too. Homeowners can etch, engrave and stamp various designs into concrete, making their driveway incredibly unique.

The Negatives

While cement is incredibly flexible, it’s frequently expensive to use as a material. Concrete takes much longer than cement to dry, so it isn’t a great option for homeowners in need of a quick sidewalk repair, driveway repair or installation.

Because concrete is comprised of sand and minerals, it’s more susceptible to cracking. It doesn’t expand well, and it can break if the temperature rises, or falls, rapidly. Salt, used for melting ice, is a good investment if you live in a cold area.

 

Asphalt

Like concrete, asphalt does take time to dry before it can be driven over. A lot of homeowners in high-temperature climates use asphalt for its temperature resistance. While asphalt may get hotter than cement, it’s a great choice for homeowners seeking long-lasting options while being practical.

The Positives

Asphalt is easily poured, so it’s a great option in terms of installation flexibility. Tar is generally cheaper than cement, and it offers a great bang-for-your-buck experience. Because tar expands and contracts with heat contact, it’s an excellent installation option if you live in a hot area.

A lot of homeowners use asphalt to create a seamless driveway-to-road look. Asphalt, for many, offers a more “classic” design than typical asphalt installations.

The Negatives

Asphalt is a more limited than concrete. Because it needs to be rolled and compressed, unique finishes are difficult to maintain. Until recently, asphalt color variations were limited. Still, some homeowners may not like the lack of design diversity with asphalt.

Asphalt needs to be resealed every three to five years, too. It also needs to be resurfaced. Fortunately, asphalt repairs are generally easier to conduct than concrete repairs.

 

So, Which Should You Choose?

While both materials are viable installation options, you should select the material most conducive to your area’s environment. If your driveway experiences rapid temperature shifts often, stick with asphalt. If you live in a cold area, consider installing a cement driveway.

An asphalt driveway can cost between four and seven times as much as a concrete driveway. While a concrete street needs little maintenance over 20 to 30 years, an asphalt driveway may need to be resurfaced in as little as 15 years. Paving with concrete means you’ll face less maintenance. However, concrete may not last as long.

At the end of the day, measure the costs. Then, pick the driveway repair, installation or replacement option healthiest for your wallet—and for your family.