Types of Asphalt Maintenance

Seal Coating:

Seal coating is a common cost effective, preventative maintenance process involving a number of different types of equipment, each playing a unique role in the process. Attention must be paid to the type and quality of materials as well as the condition and operation of the equipment.

asphalt repairs, asphalt overlay, drainage, curb, sweeping, seal coating, stripping, patching, paving, emergency, sweeping

Asphalt pavement to be seal coated should also be in relatively good condition. This means that there should be little, if any, load related distress such as alligator cracking, rutting, and potholes. If these conditions exist, the asphalt should not be sealed unless it is repaired first.

Asphalt Patching:

Asphalt patching is a common procedure in which areas that are damaged by water, improper bas compaction, or signs of load related damage exist on an asphalt surface. The asphalt is repaired by cutting out the area approximately 12” beyond the damaged area, and removing the asphalt. The existing base material (lime rock) is then re-compacted. If more base material is needed it will be installed, and then compacted to ensure the same problem will not happen again. asphalt repairs, asphalt overlay, drainage, curb, sweeping, seal coating, stripping, patching, paving, emergency, sweeping A tack coat (glue) or primer will then be applied to bind new asphalt to the newly installed and compacted base material. Hot asphalt will then be installed in the repair area and then compacted with a roller or small plate compactor, depending on the size of the area. This will ensure a smooth surface that will blend on all sides of the patch with the existing surrounding asphalt.

Asphalt Overlay:

When asphalt has reached a point where it has lots of patches, cracks and otherwise is showing its age, and asphalt overlay may be called for. The existing pavement is repaired to a point where it will provide a solid base for the new asphalt overlay, the typically 1” of hot-mix asphalt is placed and compacted throughout the entire asphalt area.

asphalt repairs, asphalt overlay, drainage, curb, sweeping, seal coating, stripping, patching, paving, emergency, sweeping

Striping:

Striping is a process in which pavement markings are painted on asphalt or concrete surfaces using DOT approved latex traffic paint. The layout can either be an existing layout or a new layout determined by the customer. There are two important factors to consider when striping an asphalt surface:

  1. Striping on newly seal coated surfaces cannot be performed sooner than 24 hours after the salt coat material is applied. If it is, you will run the risk of the paint turning odd colors.
  2. Striping on newly paved or overlaid surfaces cannot be performed until the asphalt has somewhat cooled. Doing so prior will cause the new asphalt to lift up in the areas where the paint was applied, damaging the new asphalt, requiring repairs to be performed. Striping on new asphalt will also appear lighter due to the asphalt being porous.

New Paving:

New paving is a procedure in which a surface or area other than asphalt or concrete is proposed to be transformed into an asphalt surface. Some examples of these areas are:

  1. Grass or sod areas
  2. Dirt or Sand areas
  3. Gravel areas
  4. Existing concrete areas (asphalt is often used to replace concrete because of the options to repair and maintain asphalt. Once concrete is damaged, it is often hard to repair, and very expensive to replace)

When new paving is performed, the material in the existing area to be paved it removed and hauled away. Usually, 7” of material is removed to allot for 6” of base material (lime rock) and 1” of hot asphalt, unless otherwise specified by blueprints or design by an engineer.

Concrete Repair or Installation:

US Grounds, Inc. provides concrete repair or installation such as curbs, sidewalks, and pads. Concrete specifications vary and are usually determined by a certified engineer, unless they are repairs to existing structures.