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In more severe cases of asphalt deterioration/failure the
cost-effective and long-term solution is re-paving. However,
there are several methods that can be used. The question is
which method is “right” for your particular project.
Paving:
A new installation is the most critical budgetary decision a property
owner can make. If corners are cut to achieve a cheaper price, there
will be pre-mature deterioration, requiring not only earlier and
necessary repairs (cracks, potholes, breakage), but the number of
repairs will be escalated.
To make the right decision, identify not only the volume of traffic, but the type of traffic that
will be driving and parking on that pavement. If you only have passenger cars and pickup
trucks, then the paving can be the standard thickness of 1 ½” base lift and 1 ½”
top lift. However, if there will be heavy trucks on the pavement, such as semis, garbage or
delivery trucks, then more inches of asphalt material will need to be laid to support that traffic.
An inadequate material depth will cause the pavement to fail resulting in cracking and in
some severe cases,will even cause failure of the sub-base. Again, the depth requirement
will vary according to each project. Remember, it only takes one heavy truck just one time
on your pavement to produce cracking, so do it right the first time!
Mill & Re-pave:
In an instance where the sub-base under the current pavement has failed or the current
pavement has become too deteriorated, the right method would be to mill & re-pave.
This involves milling up the existing deteriorated asphalt pavement and fixing any sub-base
failures/problems, re-grading/leveling, placing rock or ground millings as a base, and then
paving with 2 layers or “lifts”. Again, the depth of those layers canonly be determined after
the type and volume of traffic has been identified.
Overlay:
When the sub-base is in good to average condition and the current asphalt pavement is
still in decent condition, it is right to pave another layer or “lift” on top of the existing
surface, as long as any necessary repairs are completed before the overlay. This method,
of course, is less expensive than milling and re-paving. Remember, any cracks or
imperfections there are in the existing pavement will almost always beseen in the new
overlay anywhere from a few months to a year after the overlay. This is called
“reflective cracking”.
TIPS:
Do your research. Know the contractor you are doing business with. How long has the
company been in business? Do they have the proper equipment to even do the job right;
i.e. is the vibratory* roller heavy enough for proper compaction of the asphalt material laid?
Are they insured for liability and worker’s compensation with high enough limits before
they arrive on your property? Is the contractor an establishedcompany and will be there
next year? Ensure you have received the inches of material laid according to the specs
agreed upon. Since asphalt material is priced by the ton, this is very important. Some
property owners have been happy to find a cheaper price, only to later discover the reason
it was cheaper was they did not receive the depth of pavement the specs specified (not
enough material laid) and it resulted in pre-mature deterioration. Most of the time, this
is not realized until a year or two after the initial paving job.
By taking the proper steps, doing your homework, you won’t fall prey to receiving
inadequate or sub-standard workmanship—it is very costly.
Workmanship, materials and price—you can have any 2 of the 3, but it is not possible to
have all 3 at thesame time. If you put price first, either workmanship or materials will be
sacrificed. Let workmanship and materials be your starting point…you will be glad you did.
*Vibratory paving rollers are superior to static rollers, thus resulting in better compaction,
making yourasphalt a more solid, firm and tough pavement.
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Asphalt pavement should be sealcoated within the first
year it is paved. Sealcoating is the first step involved in
protecting your asphalt pavement. Simply put, it
safeguards asphalt by placing a protective barrier on the
surface and slows pavement deterioration. This service,
like most asphalt maintenance, needs to be re-applied on
a regular basis - usually every 2 to 3 years depending on
traffic volume.
There are many benefits to sealcoating your asphalt
pavement. The most obvious benefit of sealcoating to
most people is beautification, the "like-new"”appearance.
Sealcoating really does much more than this.
Sealcoating Benefits
- Lasts longer - approx. 300% (with regular maintenance)
- Saves money in cleaning and snow removal costs
- Stays flexible under varying temperature
- Stops raveling of aggregate
- Improves safety of the asphalt
- Beautification
Our coatings also resist and help protect against the
following substances:
- Ultraviolet damage from the sun
- Gasoline
- Oil & Grease
- Deicing salts
- For a full list of things our sealer resists please click
here. (PDF 444k)
Asphalt sealer can be applied by broom or spray methods,
depending on the surface
and individual needs of the customer. We order our sealcoating material
in bulk and
it is mixed at our facility to desired specifications. We add silica sand
for a skid
resistant surface, and a latex additive to reinforce the properties of
the sealer. The
latex additive helps the material to dry faster, increases toughness and
flexibility,
and improves gas, oil and chemical resistances.
Note: All sealers are not created equal and not
all contractors use latex additives
and/or sand in their sealer.
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There are many causes of cracks in asphalt pavement,
oxidation from the sun, water penetration, freeze/thaw
cycle, and a poor paving job are the most common. Proper
crack repair will prevent water from penetrating the crack,
and provides a seal between the crack and the sub-base.
Routing is a service that makes your crack repair last
longer.
Routing can only be done on cracks that have not been
sealed with rubber previously. A mechanical crack routing
machine widens the crack to provide an adequate reservoir
for the sealant. This ensures that there is a sufficient
amount of rubber in every foot of the crack. (Routing is only
available on commercial properties)
The next step is cleaning the crack of dirt, debris
and vegetation. A heat lance may
be required to remove heavy vegetation from the crack. In certain situations
weed
killer may be applied as necessary to prevent future vegetation growth.
The final step is sealing the crack with our
hot-applied rubber sealant. The rubber is
melted down from bulk brick form in a large thermostatically controlled
melting
kettle and applied into cracks in a variety of applicator machines while
still in its
molten form. This final product is a flexible crack, sealed from dirt
& water, that will
expand and contract with the extreme range of temperatures we face in
Michigan.
Please note that this service, like most asphalt maintenance, needs to
be redone
on a regular basis - usually every 2-3 years.
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