Avoid the headache! Hire an experienced paving professional for your next asphalt parking lot repair project. We are licensed and insured to provide service throughout the state of Florida. Give us a call at 877-344-1194 for a free estimate! Our services include asphalt paving, asphalt crack sealing, pothole repair, concrete work, as well as commercial property pressure washing and painting.
The first step in the process for making asphalt is having a stockpile of aggregate. Aggregate comes in multiple forms of crushed stone, gravel, and sand. The blending of these aggregates is the next step in the manufacturing process. Each aggregate is sorted into cold feed bins that adjust the proper amount for the desired mixture. The aggregates run through a conveyor belt system that will transport them to the drying drum. Inside the dryer drum the aggregates are tumbled though a heated air stream. In this step asphalt cement or bitumen is added. Bitumen is the black tar type substance that is a form of crude oil extracted from oilsands. The fourth step is the emission control system. As the drying process takes place fine particles of sand and dust collect. The ECS (emission control system) removes these particles before the air goes back into the atmosphere. The primary collection chamber allows for these particles to be added back to the aggregate mix.
A study conducted by the Texas Department of Transportation found that up to 90% of pollutants in the highway were reduced by using open-graded friction courses (OGFCs) compared to conventional pavements. OGFCs surfaces is a term that means precipitation drains through the surface layer of the asphalt to an underlying layer and finally to the edge of the pavement. These types of asphalt pavements improve the quality of runoff from rainstorms and pollutants that can collect in the roadway. Added benefits from OGFCs include reduced noise from vehicles driving on the asphalt and minimized splashing from vehicles passing over wet roads.
Pavement smoothness directly affects vehicle fuel economy. The smoother the pavement, the higher the rate of fuel economy a vehicle will have traveling on that road. Our country has over 2.5 million miles of paved roadways. If every American saved a few MPG per year, that would dramatically cut overall fuel consumption in the U.S. This would help conserve our natural resources and save millions of dollars spent on fuel.
Each state has different standards for newly built roads. Some state’s standards are different for asphalt and concrete construction. The standards for asphalt roads are more stringent than for concrete roads.
Once a well-engineered foundation is set for an asphalt roadway it can be constructed and will last virtually indefinitely. Routine maintenance such as pothole repairs and crack repairs can be made as needed. After a period of about 15-20 years the asphalt pavement will need to be milled. Milling is the process of shaving the top layer of pavement. This worn asphalt can be rejuvenated and reused on-site during demolition and construction. A fresh layer of asphalt called an asphalt overlay can then be installed. Resurfacing an asphalt paved roadway will perform just as good as new.
99% of the asphalt paved each year is recycled or reused using existing asphalt surfaces.
In this photo of the shopping mall you can see quite a difference in the visibility of the parking spaces and overall clarity at night. Concrete parking lots enhance safety at night. This is due to the lighter grey color compared to the asphalt blacktop surface. Concrete is up to three times more reflective than asphalt. This reduces the amount of parking lot lighting needed and can cut costs up to 30%, while at the same time enhancing visibility and safety.
