Pavement Solutions Can Extend the Life of Your Asphalt and Concrete Surfaces
Pavement Solutions offer innovative, eco-friendly paving and maintenance services for all types of asphalt and concrete surfaces. They use high-quality paving materials and advanced design methods that minimize environmental impacts and maximize service life.
Carbon-neutral asphalt and concrete mixtures can be achieved if multiple solutions for reducing, avoiding, or neutralizing the embodied impact are implemented simultaneously, and the electricity grid is rapidly decarbonized.
Pavement is a part of everyday life, we drive on it, shop in store fronts, park in parking lots and so on. But when pavement is damaged by cracks, potholes, abrasion and more it not only looks bad, but is dangerous. Fortunately, it is also preventable. Keeping up with maintenance and addressing small issues as they arise can keep potholes, cracks and chips to a minimum, saving you money in the long run.
A properly maintained paved surface is important for business and commercial property owners to protect their investment, customers, employees and visitors. It is also an important component of curb appeal. A well-maintained parking lot can boost a company’s reputation and even increase the resale value of a home.
As with any building, pavement deteriorates over time due to exposure to traffic and the environment. However, maintenance and rehabilitation can help slow the deterioration process or even return pavement to a like-new state. Maintenance operations such as crack sealing, slurry seal and patching can address specific pavement deficiencies that contribute to overall deterioration. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, addresses a larger area of the pavement by adding or replacing material to reset the deterioration process in that entire area.
Having a comprehensive plan is key for maintaining your pavement and maximizing its lifespan. The best way to achieve that is with a Pavement Management Plan (PMP). A PMP is an effective management tool for determining and monitoring the condition of your pavement over its lifetime. It includes an inventory, survey and condition assessment. It then produces maintenance and rehabilitation options considering goals, funding and life cycle costs.
Maintenance operations include a variety of options such as crack sealing, slurry seal, hot-mix asphalt overlay and milling. These can be performed on small areas of the pavement or over a large section depending on need and budget. More major repairs, such as full-depth reclamation (FDR) are a more involved project that involves removing the old pavement and rebuilding it from the ground up using new materials.
A properly-maintained paved surface is important for business and commercial and residential property owners to protect their investment, customers, employee and visitors. It is also an important component for curb appeal. A poorly-maintained parking lot can hurt a company’s reputation and even reduce the resale value of he property.
Repair
Even the best-maintained asphalt surfaces will deteriorate over time due to wear and tear from traffic. The key to extending pavement life is preventative maintenance and timely repairs when damage does occur.
Small cracks and potholes can easily turn into major problems if left untreated. They can compromise the structural integrity of your parking lot or road and lead to more costly repair bills. In addition, they create a safety hazard for vehicles and pedestrians.
A good asphalt maintenance program includes routine inspections, sealcoating, crack sealing, and cleaning. This helps prolong the life of your asphalt and reduces the need for costly repairs in the future. Routine inspections help identify potential issues early and allow for cost-effective solutions like crack sealing and drainage fixes. Sealcoating is an economical way to protect your asphalt from UV rays, water, chemicals, and other damaging substances. It also improves the appearance of your parking lot and guards against premature deterioration.
Crack sealing prevents cracks from converting into potholes. It can be done as part of a preventative maintenance plan or in response to an existing cracking pattern. The cracks will be sealed with hot-mix or cold-mix material, depending on the severity of the damage.
Ragged pavement or raveling is an indication that the subgrade beneath your asphalt has eroded. This can be caused by poor construction, drainage or groundwater seepage. Damaged subgrade can result in rutting, surface cracking and a loss of skid resistance. Raveling can be fixed by conducting an investigation of the root cause and applying a chip surface treatment, slurry seal or fog seal. Larger areas of raveling may require mill and overlay.
Oil and fuel stains are another problem that can be avoided by regular sweeping and cleaning. These contaminants can deteriorate asphalt if not removed quickly and regularly. Leaving them on your asphalt can cause it to become oily and sticky, which will attract more contaminants and lead to further deterioration.
The importance of timely repairs can’t be overstated. Poor pavement is the leading cause of traffic accidents in the US. These accidents result in serious injuries and sometimes death. They can also impede traffic flow and reduce the efficiency of your business or road.
New Construction
In addition to extending the life of existing pavements, Pavement Solutions also works on new construction projects. Whether it’s the paving of an airfield for military or commercial aircraft, a parking lot for a shopping center or an interstate highway, Pavement Solutions provides quality work that will stand up to years of traffic and weather.
Pavement Solutions engineers and consultants work closely with project managers to select the best materials and equipment for any pavement construction. This includes the use of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional asphalt products. These alternatives have been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment, conserve energy resources and enhance road performance.
Increasingly, roadway agencies are looking to improve the condition of their existing pavements through overlays rather than complete reconstruction projects. These innovative overlay procedures can be performed in relatively short time frames and are more cost effective than conventional methods. Pavement Solutions has a broad range of technologies to meet these needs, including the use of asphalt rubber gaps and advanced overlay mixtures such as thin bonded, high-performance, stone matrix and polymer modified asphalt.
New construction projects are often complicated, and a successful outcome is dependent on having the right people on the team. Pavement Solutions engineers and consulting staff are experienced and highly qualified, and work with project managers and contractors to ensure the proper materials are used and that a quality job is delivered in the most efficient manner possible.
Pavement Solutions also has a strong commitment to giving back to our industry. Our staff members are regularly involved in industry events, participating in education, and helping to inspire the next generation of paving professionals.
Pavement is made of aggregates (rocks, sand and gravel), bitumen and binders (either petroleum-based or natural). The difference between asphalt and concrete is that the binder in asphalt is bitumen and in concrete it is Portland cement. The biggest factor in the long-term success of a pavement is the type of aggregates used and how they are combined with the binders. This is why it is so important to choose a contractor who specializes in the type of pavement you have on your property.
Resurfacing
The constant flow of traffic over the surface of your commercial parking lot can cause serious damage to the asphalt. This wear and tear causes cracking, which eventually leads to potholes. Not only does a damaged parking lot create safety hazards for your customers, but it can also lead to costly liability claims.
A regular maintenance plan is important for extending the lifespan of your parking lot and driveway. Regular inspections, sealcoating, and crack filling help prevent further deterioration of the asphalt. By implementing these preventative measures, your parking lot will last longer and look better.
When the top layer of your pavement begins to show signs of aging, it’s time for resurfacing. Resurfacing is the process of installing a new layer of asphalt on top of the existing one. This overlay is generally 1.5 – 2 inches thick. Resurfacing should only be done when the underlying foundation (also known as the subgrade) is in good condition.
During the resurfacing process, any existing cracks, dips, or other damage are repaired with an asphalt milling machine before being covered with the new layer of asphalt. This helps to extend the life of your parking lot or driveway and can save you money in the long run by postponing a full replacement.
Resurfacing is much quicker and cheaper than a complete removal and replacement, making it a great choice for budget-conscious property owners. Unlike full replacement, asphalt resurfacing does not remove the existing concrete foundation, which can save you on demolition and disposal fees.
While resurfacing is a cost-effective option, it’s still best to keep up with your regular maintenance plan to avoid additional costs in the future. A well-maintained parking lot will increase the overall value of your commercial property, ensuring it is safe and inviting for your customers.
With proper maintenance, your asphalt driveway or parking lot can last for 20 years or more. When your pavement is beginning to show signs of aging, contact Pavement Solutions for a free estimate and maintenance plan. We can help you choose the right services to extend the life of your asphalt and create a smooth, safe driving environment for your customers.
