Asphalt paving is an ideal parking lot or driveway surface for many reasons. Its simplistic, durable and cost effective materials makes it the obvious economic decision when it comes to property management. In addition asphalt installation is not only less than half the cost of concrete, its half the cost to maintain and repair. With many options that can fit both your project schedule and budget. Paving can not only enhance the aesthetic curb appeal to your home or business but paired with proper maintenance practices such as sealcoating your pavement surface can last for years to come. Asphalt paving services include entire parking lot construction, cutting, excavation and removal of damaged areas, pothole repair and complete asphalt resurfacing.
Asphalt, the material used in paving driveways, sidewalks and even garden paths in some places primarily consist of a combination of rock and sand which is held together by industrial strength binders, asphalt is a cost effective option for paving surfaces and it is a strong, resilient and relatively low maintenance choice. If laid properly, asphalt surfaces will survive for many years without any major facelifts required. Asphalt paving requires an able contractor who knows the different ratios of mixes used for paving. Since the aggregate mix of substances for paving is a complex process, the contractor needs to be experienced and well versed with the usage of the heavy equipment. If the paved surface has not been laid or cured properly then the surface will suffer cracks and wear and tear at a much faster rate, thereby making repaving an essential but costly exercise.
For the paving operation to be effective, any previous paved bits in older surfaces and the excessive gravel and large stones from the unpaved surfaces need to be removed. Since the surface that needs paving is essentially an outdoor surface, the contractor needs to make provisions for the water flow by calibrating surface elevations before compaction. This step ensures that water will flow toward drains and avoid pooling and future moisture damage. Asphalt paving involves laying a base soil layer first and leveling it before laying a layer of crushed rock or concrete. They both provide durability to the paved surface and allow for lesser wear and tear with time. The crushed rock has to be tightly packed into the soil to give a solid base. The thickness of each surface and how many layers varies upon estimated vehicle traffic and weight of said traffic. It is also dependent on the use that the Surface will be put to. Household driveways typically have a thinner layer of base material as compared to commercial or warehouse parking lots which are expected to receive heavier vehicle traffic of larger trucks and or tractor trailers.
Asphalt top grade is the last layer and it is required to not just give a smooth finish to the paved surface but also to bind the base layers together. Again the thickness of the asphalt layer is the discretion of the contractor, and it varies from traffic and vehicle weight. Care needs to be taken for binding together the base layers properly because if not done properly, the asphalt paving can come apart within a few years. If your contractor is experienced enough, he will be careful in installing your surface best tailored to the needs of your home of business.