Asphalt Paving

Why Choose Asphalt Paving for Driveways?

add beauty to the house exteriors. They add value to any property with the attractive design and pattern of construction around the house or commercial place all the way to the street or roadside.

But with driveways, there is a synonym associated with it. This is Asphalt VS concrete which has become synonym with driveway construction. All over Vancouver, it is used for construction of pavements, driveways, walkways, parking areas etc.

Most paving contractors in Vancouver prefer the use of Asphalt for durable and resistant against serious wear and tear as well.

Some of the prime reasons for selection of Asphalt for driveway construction include:

Economical

It is economical since it is costlier to get concrete pavement for your driveways and walkways. Asphalt is more economical and easily available at reasonable rates.

Easy To Use

It is easy to use and can be applied to the damaged pavement area without much hassle. Even for new construction, one can apply it in the form of hot patch. Cold patch, simple mixtures etc.

Flexible

It is far more flexible than other forms since it can be easily mould to suit the varying needs like sealing cracks, patch work on sidewalks, walkways etc.

Effortless Patch Paving

Patch paving is simpler and requires no efforts in comparison to concrete and other hybrid forms which take more effort and time to set in.

Durability

This form of paving is considered more durable than other forms. It is seen as a better resistant to wear and tear and can resist damage for a longer period of time. Hence, its durability also makes it economical.

Weather-resistant

It is also a weather-resistant form. It can resist any type of weather condition and does not wear out even in excessive heat or rains. There are other forms which are not able to withstand extreme temperature or excessive rain.

Time-saving Driveway Construction

It is time-saving since it sets quicker than other forms of pavement service.

(ArticlesBase SC #2750336)

Asphalt Services General Contractor

What is asphalt?

Asphalt is a dark, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleum. The liquid is used in road construction. Asphalt is a carefully refined residue from the distillation process of crude oils. (Do not confuse asphalt with tar. Tar comes from coal.) It is heated and used as glue for aggregate materials in road construction. The black paving you see on the road is made up of many different types of gravel and ground rocks, and held together with asphalt. That is why blacktop roads are commonly known as asphalt roads.

Rolling asphalt is the most popular method of paving roads. Rolled asphalt accounts for 80% of asphalt consumption in the US.

In places with colder, wintry climates, asphalt requires a special protective seal coating to prevent damage from cracking. Freezing temperatures and subsequent thawing cause cracks and fissures in asphalt paving.

When an asphalt services contractor is deciding how to go about paving a driveway, there are two methods the company will likely choose. Usually, any existing asphalt or pavement is ripped out and the new asphalt paving is rolled over the soil. In other situations, an aggregate of stone, sand, and gravel is laid down first as a bed for the asphalt paving. Then the contractor rolls the dark asphalt paving over this aggregate bed.

Keep in mind the time of year when you plan to hire an asphalt services contractor. This is one of the greatest factors in the successful pavement of your driveway, parking lot, or road. Here’s why:

It’s best to lay asphalt in warmer temperatures. The asphalt does not harden quickly, so there’s more time for the crew to work. Ideally, a crew will roll a layer of asphalt 1.5” thick at 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once conditions are right, the actual paving is a relatively quick process. The average driveway takes only 20 minutes to pave. The next step is compacting the pavement with a roller, and letting it harden as it dries.

Here are some variables to be aware of when picking a time to hire an asphalt services contractor. At 40 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes 16 minutes before 1.5” of asphalt paving hardens. At the same temperature, it takes 46 minutes before 3” of asphalt paving hardens. So you have to think about the thickness, or depth, you prefer for the asphalt paving. Thinner layers need warmer weather for a job well done. If you have to pave at temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you may want to choose a greater thickness. That way the crew has more time to do quality work.

Also make sure you talk to your asphalt services contractor about the load you intend your asphalt paving to bare. There are special mixtures for different types of uses. For example, special mixtures of asphalt paving are designed to specifically accommodate cars or trucks, or both.

The 1993 Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials says that the principal factors in choosing between different types of asphalts are the intended traffic load, the kind of soil that will form the road’s bed, the area’s dominant weather patterns, any adjacent construction considerations, recycling, and cost comparisons.

Additionally, consider the performance of pavements in the area of the intended road or parking lot. Think about the conservation of the project’s materials, the energy necessary to complete the project, and the availability of local materials.

Interesting statistics: the US has more than two million miles of paved roads. 94% of these use asphalt. The asphalt paving industry employs 300,000 Americans. The breakdown of asphalt paving is 95% stone, sand, and gravel aggregate, and 5% asphalt cement petroleum product.

Who should hire a contractor that offers asphalt services?

After driving home every day over long, bumpy gravel driveways, it’s no wonder why some people opt for the smooth ride that asphalt paving affords. The same goes for those who own prominent places of business, but whose parking lots are gravel or dirt. After a while, it becomes desirable to offer patrons and clients the luxury and ease of parking on a solid asphalt surface, directly linked to the city’s asphalt avenues and boulevards.

Concrete pavement presents plenty of difficulties and headaches. It is not really suitable for colder climates. It easily cracks and wears down through tough winters, and it’s costly to maintain. Many homeowners and business owners opt to rip out their old, crumbling concrete pavement and replace it with a smooth new layer of asphalt paving.

What are the benefits and drawbacks to asphalt paving?

You may have to move fences and gates before paving with asphalt.

The warmer months are the only optimal times for asphalt paving because cold temperatures quickly cause the asphalt to set. If crews are rushed because of the cold weather, they will not do their best work, and your property will suffer as a result. You could end up with bumpy and irregular pavement.

Asphalt pavement will require periodic resealing for effectiveness against harsh weather.

But there are also many benefits to using asphalt paving. Asphalt pavement is a sustainable building material: It is America’s most recycled material.

If properly sealed, it does not crack during the winter. It’s easy to remove snow from asphalt paving because it is so smooth. And when the time comes, it is much easier and less expensive than concrete to re-lay.

(ArticlesBase SC #1227624)

Complete Asphalt Pavement Repair Guide

Asphalt was initially developed as an inexpensive surface for the many new roads in the early twentieth century.  These roads were developed because of the introduction of the automobile and its need for a smooth, hard surface to drive and park on. Asphalt concrete paving became the standard of roads and highways. Just as cars age and wear out, so do roads. Damage to asphalt pavement can result from poor drainage, excessive loading, weather, poor design, poor construction and exposure to fuel.

Whatever the cause, asphalt pavement damage manifests in many ways-- surface defects, pavement cracks, potholes, patches and even utility cuts. If Pavement Repair isn’t done quickly, the damage grows exponentially. Standard Asphalt Repair methods are costly and problematic. Before the polyurethane repair product FloMix was available, asphalt repair had to be done with costly equipment and only when the hot mix plants were open. The damaged asphalt that had to be dug out then had to go somewhere for expensive disposal. Asphalt Pavement Repair methods were not environmentally friendly.

With FloMix, pavement crack repair, and asphalt repair can be done with no dig-out. Repairs can be done whenever needed, ideally when traffic is at its lowest. Doing asphalt repair quickly and with minimal manpower means less traffic exposure to employees or if it’s a do-it-yourself project, it can be handled in your free time. Simply sweep or blow out the damaged area, mix your materials and apply to create a simple asphalt pavement repair.

FloMix 5-gallon kits will cover approximately 50 square feet of asphalt paving repair. With this kit, you will also need a drill, a pail mixer, a lute or trowel and a broom or leaf blower.

Preparing the Surface

Make sure area is clean and dry. Clean out with a broom, brush or blow out any cracks or potholes with a leaf blower or compressed air to remove any debris or loose material.

Mixing

Remove 12-pound bag of topping sand and both “A” and “B” bottles of polymer from the 5-gallon pail and shake both bottles, to mix well before use. Add the “A” bottle of polymer to the 5 gallon container of treated sand and mix with a pail mixer for 1 minute or until sand mixture is completely wet. Next, add contents of the “B” bottle and mix thoroughly until mixture is combined well. The material is now ready to be applied.

Installing

Using a trowel or lute, spread the mixture over the repair area. The outer areas of the repair can be feathered into the existing surface for a smooth finish. Next broadcast the included topping sand evenly over the repair area. For potholes or deep cracks, an aggregate can be pre-placed, and can be added to your FloMix kit for no extra charge.

Cure

Cure for about an hour in warm climates. In colder areas a catalyst can be supplied to speed up the cure time.

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