When it comes to asphalt paving, there are a lot of things that commercial property owners, homeowners, and municipality employees are unaware of. While some of the procedures may sound unfamiliar to some of them, the rest who may be aware sometimes do not have full knowledge of what the process entails.

Asphalt paving or pavement is a term used to refer to a paved road surface with the use of asphalt. Once the butt joints and asphalt have been placed, the whole surface is compacted and smoothed with the use of a roller truck. Asphalt paving is known for its resilience and durability especially when you are using experts like Maryland asphalt paving contractors that use the best materials to make sure the surface is strong and stands the test of time.

Asphalt or tarmac paving involves a lot of procedures and we have outlined them in this article. Please read on as we explain more.

Why is Asphalt a Popular Choice?

Asphalt paving has a better look and is easy to install. When installed properly, asphalt paving has the capacity to last for a long time and within this period, the drivability, appearance as well as the environment is usually top notch. This is the reason most contractors use it for their projects so the durability will further lay credence to their services.

Steps involved in Asphalt Paving

The following are some steps involved in tarmac pavement:

Demolition of Existing Surface

The initial step in the process is to detach the existing surface, regardless of whether it is concrete, tarmac or pavers. This process is completed with the use of heavy machines like forklifts, bobcats and front loaders. After demolition, the next step will be the removal of debris so work can continue.

Grading

With the use of a tidy slate, tarmac experts lay the surface for the required water drainage. They employ the use of automatic motor graders and laser-guided transits to grade the surface in a way that allows water run-off through the appropriate channel. Good water drainage is essential to tarmac pavement as it can cause huge damages if not properly channeled. Some of these damages include cracks, potholes, and heaving. When road damages occur, they can lead to a chain of unfortunate events and the attendant negative effects. Some of these negative effects are outlined here: https://medium.com/@media_51778/social-impact-of-bad-roads-bd200acc985a.

Preparation of the Sub Base

The most essential part of new asphalt is the sub base. The sub base plays a number of important roles and some of them include:

1. Provision of a stable surface that supports the new pavement
2. It serves as an inhibition that helps in the reduction of winter damage which is as a result of thawing and freezing.
3. It has three major steps which are also pivotal in the installation process. Processes like base thickness, compaction and base stability are very important if the tarmac will be durable. When the sub base lacks good compaction, the finished surface will lack the durability that comes with a good job.

Proof Roll, Sub Base Repair and Undercutting

After the sub base has been successfully compacted and graded, the next step is the proof roll which is done to solidify the underlying surface and ensure that it is ready to hold up new asphalt. A good company uses a quad-axle truck filled with over 72,000 pounds to cover the whole surface, going row by row.

If the construction gravel extends an inch over the total weight of the quad-axle truck, the implication is that the base is not held up properly and this is not a good sign. On the other hand, when the proof roll locates soft areas outlined in the sub base, the professionals will make the necessary repairs to fix the affected areas.

Undercutting is used to fix soft spots. It involves the digging down of the surface below 2, 3 feet while replacing the soil or soft clay with more durable aggregate material. They can also use alternative options such as digging 16 inches under the surface level and outlining grid downward to connect base materials. Doing this will create a strong support structure that will be used for renewed asphalt.

Addition of the Binder

After the sub base has been laid, and all the soft areas have been fixed, the next step is to include the binder. The layer of the binder is a huge aggregate combined with oil in a way that makes it durable. It is assumed to be the fulcrum of the surface of new asphalt.

Installation of the New Asphalt Surface

After the successful installation of all supportive structures, the next step is the addition of the top layer of a fresh tarmac to give a smooth, clean ride. Normally, the surface tarmac contains sand, small aggregate, and oil. The combination of different materials creates an outcome that when properly installed, will provide a shiny, smooth and attractive surface.

Transitions and Butt Joints

It is relatively impossible to install a surface that doesn’t link to existing driveways, parking lots or roadways. By implication, contractors handling tarmac paving find a way to ensure a smooth transition from old surface to new. Butt joints serve as a meeting point for old concrete and newly installed tarmac pavement.

These are some of the steps involved in asphalt paving. If you need a visual representation of what the process entails, you can check out this video.

Conclusion

Contracting the services of good asphalt paving contractors who prioritize the durability of a project can save one from spending twice to achieve a result that would have been concluded in the first instance. There are steps that good contractors follow to deliver a good project and we have outlined them in this article, feel free to check them out.