Modern road-making techniques first started showing up in the 1800s. The Scottish engineer John McAdam built multi-layer roadbeds of gravel and crushed stone aggregate, then pressed them together with a heavy roller. He was a municipal surveyor, and his first project was the Bristol Turnpike in 1816.
Did you know that asphalt driveways are resistant to cracking? This is because the material is more flexible (as it is in part made out of oil). However, having a stable sub grade is critical to the durability of the material.
When searching for an asphalt paving contractor, we recommend that you inquire about years of experience, trade association memberships, and whether they carry liability insurance. Also, ask to see a picture portfolio of their work, and insist that the contractor provide references.
There are several benefits of hot mix asphalt for residential applications. Not only is the resulting driveway strong and durable, but the asphalt mixture is engineered to withstand freezing and thawing cycles and is unaffected by salt.
To improve a replacement paved surface, existing asphalt can be ground up and pulverized. The crushed asphalt is mixed with the existing underlying stone base, compacted and leveled to create a stronger foundation for new pavement.
Whether it's your children turning 16, relatives moving in, or you're getting married, sometimes new cars are added to your household, which can make it hard to fit all of them in the driveway. Fortunately, a paving expert can expand your driveway to give you more space.
Did you know that asphalt is made of aggregate (a mixture of stones and sand) and liquid asphalt cement? Basically, the asphalt cement is heated until it becomes a liquid, and then it is ready to mix with the aggregate.
Unfortunately, customers and vendors may try to hold you liable for any damage your crumbling parking lot causes them. If you’re getting complaints about flat tires in the lot, it’s definitely time to consider repaving the area.
In the constructing of asphalt driveways, the general rule of thumb is that the compacted thickness of each layer is typically around three quarters the thickness of loose hot asphalt mix. Driveways will need a minimum compacted thickness of 2 inches of hot mix asphalt.
Derived from the Latin, gregare, to herd, “aggregate” describes collected materials. In our industry, aggregate refers to the sand or gravel added to cement to make concrete and mortar, or the sand and gravel added to asphalt to make what is known as “asphalt cement.”
Is your asphalt driveway cracked and broken? You can get a new driveway, or get the current asphalt repaired and seal coating. You can also use your older driveway as a base and get a chip seal stone layer put over it for a whole new look.
The word “pavement” can have different meanings. In the US, pavement can refer to the type of material, such as brick, concrete or asphalt, or to any hard, durable surface designed for foot or vehicular traffic, while in Britain, it’s synonymous with “sidewalk.”
If you’re running a warehouse that deals with chemical substances, you may find that spills can leave your floors crumbling in certain areas. If you need to maintain a smooth warehouse floor, we may be able to help you repave it.
How much asphalt is used every year in the United States? About 70 billion pounds! While that is a lot of asphalt, some of the asphalt is recycled and reused. And unlike a lot of other types of building materials, asphalt is 100% renewable and can be reused over and over and over again.
Some golf courses choose to have limited cart paths. Paths can be installed between the club house and the first tee and to link greens with the proceeding tees. This will preserve the natural beauty of the course while maintaining the high traffic areas.
Today’s newer heavy-duty perpetual pavements have a lifespan of more than 20 years – plus these pavements have some of the lowest maintenance and repair costs. When repairs are needed, the top layer is simply removed, recycled and replaced.
Do you know how often to seal your driveway? It’s typically recommended that you seal your drive 30 days after installations and again the following year. After that, it should be once every three years.
In the 18th century, Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam invented what is known today as the macadam road. His road design consisted of broken stones laid in symmetrical, tight patterns, and then covered with smaller stones to create a hard surface.
Do you ever worry that the company you use will skimp on the paving materials to enhance their bottom line? While profit is important to us, we’ll never use inferior materials to get it.
Industrial parking lots and those designed primarily for trucks are going to require a thicker pavement design. In addition, due to the heavy loads, it’s recommended that untreated aggregate base courses not be used.
“In the very midst of the city, the ground was covered by some dark stuff that silenced all the wheels and muffled the sounds of hoofs…..It was like magic.” From Little House on the Prairie, an account by Laura Ingalls Wilder when her family encountered asphalt pavement for the first time.
In the early 1800s, John McAdam engineered a high-quality road using broken stone, “which shall unite by its own angles so as to form a hard surface.” To reduce dust and improve longevity, the stone was coated with hot tar to create a “tarmacadam” surface.
One of the "fathers" of modern pavements was Thomas Telford, a Scottish building mason. His engineering techniques and designs for road construction eventually became the norm and form the basis for modern roads today.
Did you know that asphalt has a proven safety record as a driving surface? This is because the blackness of the asphalt offers stronger visual contrast with roadway markings. Other safety benefits include reduced splash and spray, and greater skid resistance.