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4 Reasons Why Your Asphalt Surface Needs a Good Foundation

As the saying goes: you can’t build a great building on a weak foundation. The same holds true for asphalt surfaces.

Asphalt surfaces also need strong, durable foundations so they don’t crack and break apart under pressure. Building an asphalt parking lot or driveway is a big investment, and it won’t last nearly as long without a solid foundation underneath it. A poor foundation means you could be paying for expensive repairs – or even complete replacement – prematurely.

A good asphalt foundation typically consists of the best materials and compact gravel available and should be strong enough that the gravel doesn’t break apart when you put your foot on it.

In this article, we’ll explain 4 reasons why your asphalt surface needs a well-built foundation during the asphalt installation process.

1. Your surface will have proper drainage

An asphalt surface’s foundation has a tremendous impact on drainage. Asphalt should be laid in a specific way to funnel water away.

During heavy rains, all of that water must go somewhere. An improperly designed and constructed foundation can lead to low spots or dips on the asphalt during the paving process, which can cause water to gather and puddles to form. Foundations that aren’t completely smooth can also create dips or sinks while being paved.

Many asphalt drainage problems, including slow draining, occur during the initial design stage. Asphalt parking lots, roads, and driveways need an appropriate level of elevation drop to remove water effectively.

2. Your surface will need fewer repairs

A properly built asphalt surface foundation can lead to fewer repairs throughout the surface’s lifetime. For example, if you notice “ponding” on the surface, it’s usually because the asphalt’s foundation has sunk in certain areas or become uneven due to the foundation losing some of its base integrity. This can happen over time.

A foundation that breaks down prematurely can be caused by rocks shifting and moving due to pressure, which can lead to warping and cracking. Early cracking is often caused by a poorly constructed foundation.

3. Your surface will be safer

When asphalt parking lots, driveways, and roads have strong foundations, they are significantly safer to drive and walk on. Cracks and dips that form when the gravel below the asphalt sinks can cause people to trip and fall.

The well-built foundation will also insulate the upper layers of the asphalt during the winter to stop ice from forming on the surface, preventing hazardous surface conditions in the process. If the foundation was poorly constructed and excess moisture is allowed to the surface, the constant freeze-thaw cycle can create new cracks and cause existing ones to expand.

4. Your surface will last longer

Asphalt pavement can last about 15 to 30 years on average, but its lifespan largely depends on how well the foundation was laid and whether regular maintenance was performed.

In fact, the condition of the foundation plays a large role when determining whether to resurface or replace an asphalt surface. If the foundation is still strong and intact after 20 years, you may want to consider resurfacing. Replacement is often recommended if the driveway is 20 to 30 years old and the foundation has completely failed.

Consider hiring only asphalt companies with good online reviews and a strong Better Business Bureau score.

By admin Asphalt Paving • • • 0 Comments

Asphalt Milling VS. Asphalt Resurfacing

Asphalt is the general term used to describe the material that makes up the majority of roads around the world.

It is a mixture of various sizes of rock and oil as a binder. The process of developing an asphalt mix and laying it down to form a road is complex. However, without this process, roads that have been damaged over years of use would not be replaced or upgraded with new asphalt. There are a number of steps to replacing or upgrading an asphalt road, and while it is very rare for a road to be completely removed down to the dirt and repaved, the process of asphalt resurfacing is an important task for any asphalt company.

Asphalt resurfacing is the term used to describe the process of removing a portion of a road, usually no more than an inch or two, and then laying down new asphalt. This is something that needs to be done periodically, especially as new mixes of asphalt are developed to better withstand damage. The process of resurfacing a road can be broken down into just a few steps. However, sometimes the processes involved in a resurfacing project may be confused with one another. Understanding the differences among these individual steps, and their importance to the entire process, will enable you to better grasp what is going on during the resurfacing of an asphalt road.

The first step of the process is asphalt milling.

You may have seen milling machines working on a road. They are used to remove old asphalt, which is ground up and may be recycled. The milling process provides an asphalt company with something like a “blank canvas” to go back and repave with new asphalt. Milling can take place along a long stretch of a road, or in just a small area that needs to be repaired. Either way, the process takes off old and damaged asphalt, providing room for laying new asphalt without raising the height of the road.

After the milling process comes the process of asphalt resurfacing itself.

This is when the new pavement is laid down on top of the milled surface. The new mix is poured and rolled out to form a new surface to drive on. This process will involve a number of pieces of paving equipment, each of which plays an important role in ensuring that the new asphalt road meets the necessary standards.

As you can see, while the entire process may be referred to as asphalt resurfacing, the actual resurfacing is just one aspect of the process. It is important that the old asphalt be removed in order to provide a good place to start laying a new layer of asphalt. By using a milling machine to scrape off the top inch or two of asphalt, the new pavement can be laid without raising the level of the road. After the surface is prepared, the new asphalt can be laid. Sometimes, the laying of the new asphalt is what is referred to as the asphalt resurfacing process.

Understanding the difference between removing the asphalt, milling, and laying new asphalt, resurfacing, is important for knowing what is going on throughout the process of a paving project. And while some of the terms may be interchanged, these two processes are separate but key parts of repairing an asphalt road.

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

How Long Do You Need to Stay Off The Driveway After Applying An Asphalt Sealcoating?

One of the primary questions residential and commercial property owners want to know about applying a driveway sealcoat involves drying times. More specifically, property owners want to know how long after an asphalt sealcoat has been laid down can they resume usage.

While some resources offer advice such as “48 hours,” the answer is not that simple. A wide range of products can be employed, and each type of asphalt sealcoat dry time differs. It’s also important to keep in mind that seasonal temperatures and weather can impact how long you’ll need to stay off the driveway after applying a driveway sealcoat. For a more precise estimate, these are things property owners would be well-served to consider.

How Will Rain Effect an Asphalt Sealcoat?

Experienced asphalt contractors are careful to check local weather reports. Should Mother Nature deliver unexpected precipitation, an asphalt sealcoat can be rendered uneven or non-existent. Moisture from automatic sprinklers and other delivery systems can have the same negative effect on a newly coated surface. A driveway sealcoat typically must dry for at least 4-8 hours, depending on the product and conditions. Given the impact water can have on sealants, it’s advisable to stay off the driveway until a contractor can rectify the issue.

How Long Does A Driveway Sealcoat Take To Dry During Summer?

The best time to apply an asphalt sealcoat is during the warm-weather months. This timing should also be factored against regional rainy seasons. Some areas of the country experience fast-moving showers and severe weather during periods of high temperatures. That’s why local driveway sealcoat contractors pay special attention during those months.

That being said, it’s typically wise to take advantage of warm weather days with full sunlight. A sealcoat can dry within a few hours when applied in direct sunlight on a warm day. Depending on the product, property owners may be able to walk on their driveway as soon as 4 hours after the process has been completed. In terms of driving an automobile on the newly coated surface, the soonest advisable usage is about 24 hours. Most surfaces require a minimum of 48 hours before vehicles can drive over them without negatively impacting the work. However, if weather conditions are not optimal, it may be in your best interest to stay off the driveway for at least 72 hours.

When Can a Driveway Sealcoat Handle Everyday Use?

It’s essential for property owners to understand that a significant difference exists between walking, driving, and unfettered use. While a fast-drying asphalt sealcoat product can hasten light usage, most materials take much longer to fully cure. It’s not unusual for driveways to require upwards of 30 days before property owners enjoy carefree usage. That’s largely because asphalt sealcoat products may not have hardened enough to withstand oil and fuel staining. A product that has not necessarily completely cured could be negatively impacted by turning car or truck tires in place or hard impacts. The critical point is that home and business owners would be wise to take precautions during the first month to ensure the surface isn’t compromised.

Driveway Sealcoat Best Practices Make A Difference

For an asphalt sealcoat to effectively dry and cure, best practices must be observed. Temperatures should not generally fall below 50 degrees and driveways must be perfectly dry before applying products. Sunny days with low humidity maximize dry times and support effective curing. Never consider applying a driveway sealcoat if the forecast indicates a rain threat within 8-12 hours. If severe weather has been forecast, it may be prudent to postpone the work. Asphalt sealcoat best practices help shorten the time your driveway will be sidelined.

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The Importance of Parking Lot Safety Devices

Proper Lighting Can Greatly Increase The Safety of A Parking Lot

There are many features that you can include to improve parking lot safety. One of these features is proper lighting. Proper lighting makes a parking lot safer for both pedestrians and drivers. With proper lighting, pedestrians can navigate the parking lot much more safely and ensure that they make it back to their car without any problems. Proper lighting also makes pedestrians more visible so that cars can more easily avoid them.

As stated previously, lights make pedestrians more visible and this makes it easier for drivers to drive safely. However, drivers can also avoid getting into accidents with each other if the parking lot includes proper lighting. This is an essential part of any safe parking lot.

Crosswalks Make Parking Lots Safer

Crosswalks are another crucial safety feature that all parking lots should include, as well. Crosswalks make it very clear where pedestrians are supposed to walk, meaning that it is much easier for them to walk through the parking lot safely. Drivers are also safer due to crosswalks, as well.

If you see a crosswalk, you know that people are going to walk through it and you can drive more slowly to accommodate the pedestrians. Additionally, crosswalks make it easier for drivers to notice people crossing the street and, therefore, improve both driver and pedestrian safety. Whoever is building the parking lot will talk to their concrete contractors to see what the legal requirements for crosswalks in a parking lot are in that area.

Bollards Improve The Safety of Parking Lots

Bollards are another feature that makes parking lots safer. To start off, a bollard is a post that is vertical and short and it is made to control the flow of road traffic. Bollards are created to be able to withstand a significant impact from a vehicle and another use of a bollard is as a visual barrier. You will often see bollards in front of the entrance to a building.

This makes sure that a car cannot ram into the building and cause damage. It also ensures that people can access the building by preventing such damage to the entrance. Bollards definitely make parking lots safer.

Speed Humps and Bumps Add to the Safety of Parking Lots

It is also important to ensure that drivers are not going too fast in parking lots. This is because excessive speed in parking lots can prove dangerous both to other drivers and to pedestrians, as well. Speed humps and bumps help regulate the speeds of automobiles driving through the parking lot. You can find speed humps and bumps in a number of different materials. Yellow bumps in the road are one type of speed bump that you will often see in many parking lots.

Parking Curbs and Parking Stops Increase Your Safety in A Parking Lot

A parking stop is a common feature of parking lots. It helps ensure that a driver does not pull in too far into a parking spot. You will see these at the top of parking spots in a parking lot. Parking stops or parking curbs also make sure that you don’t run off the pavement into some kind of road hazard. Parking stops are often painted yellow or white so that they are extremely visible for added safety.

Pavement Markings Are Another Critical Safety Device in a Parking Lot

Parking lots have many different types of pavement markings. You may not even notice some of them because they are so common. Turn arrows, one-way designations, stop lines, and crosswalks are all types of pavement markings. Another common type of pavement marking is a handicapped space designator. The company creating the parking lot will consult with their concrete contractors to see which type of pavement markings they are legally required to have. In any case, pavement markings make parking lots safer for both drivers and pedestrians alike.

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Mitigating Heat on the Asphalt: The Role of Tree Planting

There are lots of people who are looking for ways to mitigate the impacts of solar heat on the pavement. Black asphalt absorbs sunlight. That is why it is significantly hotter than other surfaces that are nearby. Particularly during the summer months, it is important to find ways to mitigate the impacts of the heat on asphalt. Excess heat on asphalt can damage shoes, harm pets, and even have an impact on vehicles. One potential solution could be to plant more trees. What could be the impact of trees on commercial asphalt?

Many Cities Are Built To Retain Heat

One reason why many people are concerned about the impact of commercial asphalt and heat retention is that many other structures in urban areas have been designed to retain heat. For example, a lot of cities that have tall skyscrapers are built using a variety of other materials that absorb light. In addition to asphalt, many other structures are built with concrete, steel, and iron. These are all materials that capture and retain heat for a significant amount of time, even after the sun goes down in the evenings. In the past, there might have been vegetation in the area that could mitigate some of the impacts of solar heat. Now, these structures have been replaced by tall buildings and parking lots.

The Urban Landscape Will Only Continue to Spread

As more people continue to move to urban areas and the suburbs, the urban footprint is likely to expand. This means that many commercial landscaping and commercial construction companies are probably going to continue to build more streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. These hardscape structures are only going to increase the impacts of asphalt and solar heat issues. What can be done to address the heating issues?

Bringing Back Nature to Urban Areas

One solution could be to bring back nature. Because vegetation did a great job of mitigating the impacts of asphalt in the past, many people believed that planting trees could be a way to address this concern. For example, a lot of cities have already started to plant more trees in urban areas. Some locations have even put tax policies in place that reward commercial companies for installing gardens and trees. The entire purpose of planting more trees is to increase the amount of shade in asphalt areas.

At the same time, it is important to think carefully about where these trees are planted. Trees have to be placed in an area that is healthy for root growth. In contrast, companies in cities that are planting trees also need to make sure the root system does not damage roads and sidewalks. Trees also need to be able to survive a wide range of temperatures. Some cities that heat up during the summer can cool off significantly during the winter. That is why it is important to work with a commercial company that has experienced planting trees around asphalt locations.

Partner With a Commercial Asphalt Company

If you would like to mitigate the effects of commercial asphalt, then you should work with a company that has experience in this area. Commercial contractors spend a lot of time figuring out how to lay out roads and sidewalks. Then, they can also work with individuals and businesses to install vegetation, making the landscape look beautiful. Reach out to a commercial landscape company today to learn more about how trees might be able to keep your asphalt cool.