If you’re looking for asphalt paving, then you’ve come to the right place. I have been doing this for several years, and have made several mistakes that will hopefully help you when it comes to making the right choice. Here’s what I have learned from my experiences. Hopefully with that information, you can avoid some of the common mistakes that I did make.
Are you in need of an asphalt paving project, or maybe a hot mix asphalt paving contractor? Understanding the differences between the two can help you when you’re shopping around for a crew of contractors. Understanding the Asphalt Paving Vs Blacktop Paving Process will help avoid any costly mistakes that I did. Blacktop and asphalt are generally interchangeable, although there are some differences in the way they are built and installed.
When I was handling the asphalt paving projects, I would compare the process to mixing a tire with some water. Blacktop is a mixture of asphalt, water and chemicals that will lock the particles together and keep them from moving. The water acts as a lubricant, while the asphalt helps with providing traction. This helps reduce the amount of friction that is created during any stop signs or traffic lanes. It also helps keep the temperature of the paved surface constant, which will decrease the amount of time that pavement is exposed to potential damage from vehicle tires and other conditions.
Hot mix asphalt paving requires mixing a completely different concoction than what I use. In this instance, water is added to asphalt and then mixed together to create a uniform and thick paste. This material is then injected into the pavement to create a more even color, as well as to help the vehicle get a grip on it. I recommend having this process done by a professional company as opposed to mixing it yourself. Although you can save a few dollars by mixing your own asphalt mix, you could end up with cracked pavement that is not very attractive.
Concrete is typically used as a building material, but it can be used for paving as well. Typically, the mix for asphalt concrete is fairly coarse, so that it can be placed quickly and effectively without it being blown or compacted too much. If you are looking for an attractive alternative to asphalt, concrete may be the right choice.
Although you can prevent cracking with regular maintenance and weatherproofing, you can expect small cracks in some areas of your asphalt pavements over the course of time. Asphalt that has been exposed to excessive moisture for an extended period of time will eventually crack under the weight and pressure of vehicle traffic. Cracks will generally appear where there are excessive changes in temperature, such as where vehicle traffic passes through. This means that if you have asphalt that is located on a hot day, you will need to apply a frost heave coating to prevent cracking from occurring.