Out of all paving materials, asphalt offers the highest ROI. In fact, of the first 75% of an asphalt pavement’s life, it only experiences a 40% drop in quality. Even better, resurfacing an asphalt pavement makes it good as new.
Concrete pavements cannot be rehabilitated cheaply by the end of its design life and mostly require entire slab replacements. With asphalt pavements, you may not even need replacements so long as it was constructed and maintained properly.
Dubbed as the “perpetual pavement”, asphalt pavements last for a long time with very little upkeep. Moreover, the top surface can be replaced continuously so you’ll never have to remove the entire pavement.
Did you know that asphalt is recyclable? When asphalt is reclaimed, it can be reused to build new pavements, making it as valuable as the original material.
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance has awarded more than 80 pavements the prestigious “National Perpetual Pavement Award”. All of these pavements are at least 35 years old and were built before 1976.
Did you know that 94% of American roads are paved with asphalt? Not only does asphalt create the smoothest surface for driving, but it also helps save on fuel costs.
Got asphalt? NASCAR does. In over thirty of its 35 racetracks, asphalt is the driving surface. In addition, almost 95 percent of all United States highways are paved with asphalt. Its economy and durability make it a smart paving choice.
In 1870, the first true asphalt pavement in America was laid by Edmund J. DeSmedt in Newark, New Jersey. He also paved Washington D.C.’s Pennsylvania Avenue using 54,000 square yards of asphalt derived from Trinidad Lake.
Want a pavement that’s smooth, durable, and requires very little upkeep? Asphalt paving maintenance only involves periodic surface milling, which can be done every 15 to 20 years!
For the first six months to a year after your new driveway is installed, we recommend alternating parking patterns (or rotating them, if you have multiple vehicles). This helps prevent low spots from forming.
If you have concrete roads that need repair or replacing, there may be an economical option. Breaking up the concrete into rubble, then overlaying asphalt pavement uses fewer materials, minimizes delays, saves landfill space and reduces fuel costs – saving money on all fronts.
Driveway paving is a chore best left to professionals. The key component, the asphalt, must be at the proper temperature in order to achieve the best results. If it is too cold, it will not compact properly. If it's too hot, it will not set correctly.
If you allow carts on your golf course, you need to protect the fairways. Installing paths paved with asphalt keeps the carts off the grass, allowing it to remain healthy and undamaged by the constant traffic.
The materials used for asphalt driveways are completely recyclable. In fact, over 80 percent of all asphalt drives, roads, parking lots, etc. are made from recycled materials, making asphalt one of the most environmentally-friendly paving materials.
While the quality of materials and the methods used to install new asphalt are important, the quality of the preparation is equally so. If the bed is not properly prepared, the asphalt will not sit properly and will deteriorate, compromising its projected service life.
Permeable asphalt is not subject to the same freeze/thaw cycles as cracked, impermeable concrete. With permeable asphalt, the bed is prepared in a way that allows water to soak deep into the ground, away from the surface.
We suggest using an oil-based sealer on new asphalt. Latex sealer works better as a top coat on older asphalt, refreshing the driveway aesthetically while providing a seal for the dull, cracking asphalt underneath. Asphalt surfaces should be resealed every two years or so.
Asphalt paving contributes significantly to noise reduction from tire traffic on roads and highways. Different asphalt blends are available that reduce noise-generating friction while still providing superior skid resistance.
We recommend asphalt as a cost-effective alternative to concrete paving. Asphalt costs less than half the price of concrete, and is more forgiving in winter weather when salt is used to melt ice and snow.
Asphalt paving is a sound economic choice for paving materials. Not only is it less expensive in the short term, its lower maintenance costs make it a smart business decision over the long term as well.
The asphalt driveways and parking lots we pour should last at least 20 years under normal use and weather conditions. We have the proper equipment, skill, and expertise to lay durable driveways and parking areas.
In large paving operations, you may notice differences in the asphalt texture between the main areas and those nearest the building. This is a result of using machines for the larger surface and hand-working the edges. They will soon blend.
Instead of a complete repaving, an asphalt overlay may be the better (and less expensive) option. Holes and alligator cracks are repaired before an overlay of about one to two inches is installed.
For large paving operations like parking lots, asphalt is one of the best materials to use. Because of its flexibility, it is able to withstand shifts in surface movement for years without sustaining any significant damage.
One of the latest techniques for repairing asphalt pavement is using infrared heat. This method first softens the affected area so it can be scarified, and then filed with new asphalt. Finally, it is leveled and compacted to create a seamless repair.
Our experienced crews know that the critical elements for a long-lasting, low-maintenance asphalt driveway are the proper packing of the asphalt and the correct depth of crushed-stone base needed to support the asphalt surface.
If you want to seal your newly paved asphalt driveway, we recommend waiting at least six weeks after installation for an oil-based sealer. If you are going to use a latex sealer, you should wait a year before sealing.
While a new asphalt driveway is a bright black, as time passes, the materials oxidize and develop a grayish patina. You can restore the ebony look by having a sealant applied every few years or by occasionally painting the surface.
For greatest safety, proper grading along with the use of permeable asphalt means less water accumulation on the highways. Asphalt roads constructed using these approaches reduce hydroplaning and other water-related problems.
Alligator cracks appear in asphalt parking lots as the paving material contracts over time. Fortunately, they are easy to repair, restoring the look of your parking lot and protecting it from extensive damage.
Asphalt is a petroleum-based material that is commonly used to pave surfaces that handle vehicle and foot traffic. When properly installed, it stands up well to changing weather conditions and the extremes of summer heat and winter freezes.
Highways are not the only locations where asphalt contributes to noise reduction. Asphalt runways also experience similar reductions when compared to concrete – especially important for urban airports.
Addressing cracks in your asphalt driveway is important. When water invades them and it freezes and thaws, it causes even greater damage. Cracks can be repaired by having a sealcoat applied or by laying down a new top coat.
It takes about a year for a new asphalt driveway to completely cure. This must be kept in mind when the weather heats up so that you do not accidentally create ruts or valleys in the surface. Only turn car wheels while vehicles are in motion and make sure motorcycle kickstands rest on blocks.
Asphalt resurfacing, pouring a new layer of asphalt over your existing driveway or parking lot, can make the surface as good as new. It is super durable, smooth, and cheaper than total replacement.
Can you list some of the materials routinely recycled for use in asphalt pavement? Well, they include glass, waste rocks, rubber from used tires, and reclaimed asphalt roofing shingles.
A tack coat ensures a bond between the succeeding layers of asphalt pavement. A slow-setting emulsion diluted 50/50 with water is used as a material for a tack coat.
How can the lifespan and durability of asphalt pavement be extended? Regular preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your asphalt surface looking great. Remove dirt and debris regularly, and clean it thoroughly at least twice a year.
Asphalt resurfacing is great - it's quicker, cheaper, and in some cases just as effective as a replacement. However, there are instances where replacement becomes necessary. It's expensive, but it also doubles the life of your asphalt pavement.
Do you know that sealcoating accelerates the melting process of snow and ice on asphalt pavement surfaces? This helps to protect against rain, water penetration, frost, and snow damage.
Asphalt pavement is utilized in a variety of applications, such as highways, in buildings, at airports, and as base courses for railway tracks and tunnels. It is preferred because of its durability, simplicity of construction, strength, and cost-effectiveness.
Prior to the sealcoating process, the asphalt surface should be cleared of all dirt and debris. Apart from that, minor repairs, like cracks and potholes, should be filled and vehicle fluids, like oil, should be properly removed.
During ancient Egyptian times, asphalt from the Dead Sea was an important item of trade. It had its most widespread use in the mummification process.
How long does an asphalt driveway last? A properly installed asphalt driveway should generally last between 15 – 20 years. Its life expectancy also depends on traffic, climatic conditions, and maintenance.
Do you know that more than 90% of parking areas in the United States are surfaced with asphalt pavement? Asphalt is the material of choice for most residential and commercial development owners.
When should you sealcoat your asphalt driveway? As a rule of thumb, parking lots, driveways, and roadways should have a sealcoat application every 3-5 years.
Putting multiple coats of sealant on an asphalt surface? After the second coat has been applied, you should wait at least eight hours before walking or driving on the new surface. Doing so too early will damage it, requiring you to start over.
Do you know that for every $1 billion of federal spending invested in highway construction nationwide, nearly 28,000 jobs are supported? Asphalt is the preferred choice of material for high-volume primary highways.
Spring is the best time to seal an asphalt driveway. The season offers the perfect temperature for a well-set coat, ensuring that driveways and parking lots look great for the entire year.
To properly complete the sealcoating process, the air and pavement temperature should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the application and for 8 hours following the application.
What is sealcoating? It is a thin liquid layer added over an asphalt paved surface to protect it from damage caused by a number of elements, such as rain and snow, UV rays, and fluids from vehicles.
Porous asphalt pavements are extensively used as a low-impact stormwater management tool to handle runoff. It is more viable and cost-effective than traditional stormwater infrastructure.
To properly complete the sealcoating process, the air and pavement temperature should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the application and for 8 hours following the application.
Crushed angular gravel is the best base for an asphalt driveway. This base needs to be at least 6 inches thick for light vehicle traffic such as cars and pickup trucks.
Smoother pavements, like those made of asphalt, also result in longer pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%. This ultimately results in lower maintenance cost.
What is sealcoating? It is a thin liquid layer added over an asphalt paved surface to protect it from damage caused by a number of elements, such as rain and snow, UV rays, and fluids from vehicles.
Porous asphalt pavements are extensively used as a low-impact stormwater management tool to handle runoff. It is more viable and cost-effective than traditional stormwater infrastructure.
To properly complete the sealcoating process, the air and pavement temperature should be at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of the application and for 8 hours following the application.
Over time, with exposure to the elements, asphalt pavement becomes faded in appearance. A fresh sealcoat application is all you need to enhance its appearance and make it look new again.
How thick should asphalt paving be? A compacted asphalt thickness of 2.5 to 3 inches may be sufficient for a residential driveway, but a busy parking lot or driveway may need a compacted asphalt thickness of 4 inches or more.
Crushed angular gravel is the best base for an asphalt driveway. This base needs to be at least 6 inches thick for light vehicle traffic such as cars and pickup trucks.
Smoother pavements, like those made of asphalt, also result in longer pavement life by as much as 10% to 25%. This ultimately results in lower maintenance cost.
What is sealcoating? It is a thin liquid layer added over an asphalt paved surface to protect it from damage caused by a number of elements, such as rain and snow, UV rays, and fluids from vehicles.
Porous asphalt pavements are extensively used as a low-impact stormwater management tool to handle runoff. It is more viable and cost-effective than traditional stormwater infrastructure.
