Asphalt is a durable, versatile material used in roads and parking lots. It is also highly adaptable to a variety of weather elements, which enables it to withstand rutting during the summer and harsh freeze/thaw cycles during the winter.

Asphalt is made up of a combination of aggregate materials, like sand and crushed stone, and a binding element, known as bitumen. The aggregates are heated and mixed with the bitumen to create a paving solution. Read on Asphalt Paving Philadelphia for more information.

Asphalt is a durable and highly versatile paving material that can be used in a wide range of construction projects. It is a sustainable paving solution made from a mixture of aggregates, binder and filler. The aggregates are processed mineral materials such as crushed stone, gravel or sand, and the binder is a black sticky substance called bitumen that is extracted from crude oil.

The process of creating asphalt involves careful preparation of the raw ingredients at special processing plants. This begins with weighing the aggregate components, which may be sourced from quarries or from recycled sources such as demolished buildings, roadbeds, railroad tracks or driveways. The mixture is then blended and mixed to the specific recipe required for the project.

Once the correct aggregate mixture has been prepared, it is then heated. This makes it easier to bind the aggregates together with the bitumen. Various additives can be included to modify the properties of the asphalt. These include softeners like used frying oil, waste products from corn stover and even treated swine manure. The addition of these softeners can reduce the high temperature grade of the asphalt, which increases the load-carrying capacity and pavement fatigue life.

After the asphalt is mixed it is laid down quickly and easily compared to other paving solutions. It is much faster to build a road with asphalt than concrete, which reduces traffic congestion and allows vehicles to be back on the roads sooner. It is also much cheaper, which allows governments to keep roadways and parking lots in better condition for longer periods of time, as well as providing a surface that is quieter for drivers.

An additional advantage of asphalt is that it provides a smooth surface for vehicles, which is safer and more comfortable for drivers to use, especially at higher speeds. This helps to prevent vehicles from bouncing and jostling against each other, causing noise pollution as well as premature wear and tear on the vehicle suspension. Routine maintenance, including sealcoating, can extend the lifespan of asphalt surfaces and significantly reduce the need for major repairs.

Types of Asphalt

Asphalt comes in many different forms and is used for a variety of purposes, including highways, airport runways, and parking lots. Each type has its own unique mixture and formulation, but they all share the same goal of creating a smooth, long-lasting surface that can withstand heavy loads and weather conditions.

The most common form of asphalt is called hot mix asphalt (HMA). This is made by heating a combination of aggregate materials, such as crushed stone and sand, along with a binding agent like asphalt cement, which is a petroleum product. The aggregates are blended and then heated to over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the asphalt is hot, it can be spread and compacted by a machine called an asphalt paver.

HMA is available in a number of different grades, each with its own specifications for blending and heating temperatures. The type of aggregates used in an asphalt mixture can have a significant impact on its overall strength and performance. For example, a high-volume road requires an aggregate with small granules for strength and durability. The type of binder used in an asphalt mix can also affect its ductility and surface durability.

To reduce rutting and improve pavement longevity, it’s important that the base course of an asphalt roadway is strong enough to distribute traffic and environmental loading evenly across the entire layer. This requires stiffness and durability, as well as sufficient stone-on-stone contact. In addition to these structural requirements, the base course must have adequate fatigue resistance.

These qualities can be achieved with dense-graded mixes, which are designed to provide a precise blend of coarse and fine aggregates with asphalt cement. This creates a durable, long-lasting surface that’s easy to lay and maintain. These types of mixes are ideal for high-traffic areas, as well as residential driveways and other low-volume projects.

Another form of asphalt is warm mix asphalt, which is produced at lower temperatures and therefore uses less energy during the paving process. This results in fewer fumes being produced, making it an environmentally friendly option. In addition, cold mix asphalt can be used to repair existing cracks and potholes, making it a great choice for patching holes in existing roadways and parking lots.

Sealcoating

Asphalt surfaces need to be sealed periodically in order to keep water, chemicals and harmful rays from damaging and shortening their lifespan. This can be done by adding a layer of coal-tar, asphalt emulsions or acrylic sealers over the pavement.

This is an excellent way to prolong the life of your asphalt pavement and can be very cost effective. It can also save you money on costly repairs. Sealcoating will help to keep your asphalt looking good, as well as being safe and easy for pedestrians to walk on.

Before applying a sealcoat, it is important to prepare the asphalt surface. This should include cleaning it, filling in cracks and making sure all vehicle fluids are removed. It can take 24 hours to 48 hours for the sealcoat to cure, so it is best to plan ahead if you are planning to get this done.

When you do your own asphalt sealcoating, you will need to use high-quality tools and supplies. You will also need to be prepared for a lot of mess and potential skin irritation from the coal-tar. However, if you have the time and know-how, it can be a very rewarding DIY project.

Sealcoating is an affordable option to protect your investment in your asphalt and can extend its life by up to 10 years. It can prevent water from seeping through the cracks that are a tell-tale sign of aging asphalt and prevent chemicals, such as oil and gasoline, from leaching into the ground.

It will create a textured surface that improves the safety of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It will also reduce the risk of slips and falls, saving you the expense of liability claims.

There are many different methods of sealing asphalt, including spray application, sand-only seals and fog seals. Spray application is the most common, and involves spraying a thin coat of asphalt emulsion onto the existing surface. A light covering of sand or aggregate rock is then rolled over the asphalt to create a smooth textured surface. This type of coating is ideal for parking lots and large areas where vehicles drive over the surface regularly.

Maintenance

Like any type of construction, asphalt pavement requires maintenance to keep it in good condition. This includes routine preventative maintenance to keep problems from arising and more extensive corrective repairs when damage does occur.

One of the most important aspects of maintaining an asphalt surface is sealcoating, which should be done every couple years to keep water from penetrating the asphalt and causing damage. It’s a relatively quick process that involves cleaning and sweeping the asphalt, then applying one or more coats of sealant to the surface and letting it dry.

Another key aspect of maintenance is regular weeding and removing debris from the surface. This helps to reduce the chances of cracks and potholes forming, which can be very costly for both residential and commercial properties.

Inspecting the pavement for minor damages is also important, as it’s necessary to catch these small issues before they escalate into larger ones. These damages may be as simple as a few cracks in the pavement, or they could be more serious, such as sinkholes or potholes. It’s important to repair these problems as soon as they are noticed so they don’t get worse, as they can become a safety hazard for both pedestrians and vehicles.

Finally, it’s important to ensure that the drainage system is working properly. This will help to prevent water damage to the surface by ensuring that water drains away from the area quickly. It’s also important to avoid using de-icing salts on the asphalt, as these chemicals can cause the surface to become brittle and more susceptible to damage.

In general, it’s a good idea to schedule asphalt maintenance work in the spring or fall, so that any potential issues can be addressed before winter arrives. With proper care and routine maintenance, asphalt can last for many years before it needs to be repaired or replaced again. However, if you neglect these tasks, the damage will eventually become severe and require more extensive and expensive corrective repairs. It’s important to have a plan in place and stick with it, but be flexible if the weather or other unexpected events make it necessary.