Typically, asphalt surfaces have a lifespan of 8-12 years. There are a variety of techniques available to repair and maintain asphalt. Among them, include:
- Asphalt resurfacing. Resurfacing an asphalt surface will help improve driving conditions and the appearance of roads. The process of resurfacing involves multiple steps. In addition, numerous work crews will need to be involved and traffic measures need to be followed. For roadways, driveways, and parking lots that do not have curbs and sidewalks, but may have drainage structures, resurfacing may be possible. If the drainage structures are able to be raised or reset to the grade of the new asphalt overlay.
- Rejuvenation. If the state of your asphalt pavement is not necessarily ready to be resurfaced, consider undergoing rejuvenation. It is a preventive measure that is applied to recently paved roads. Rejuvenation is conducted to prolong the lifespan of asphalt pavement.
- Crack sealing. Have you noticed more cracks in your asphalt parking lot or roadways? This is caused by sunlight oxidizing the oils in the surface. If you let the cracks go too far, it will further damage the asphalt and require an extensive restoration process. Crack sealing is a preventive process that seals up cracks to avoid water damage.
- Pavement Fabric and Crack Paper. As an alternate to crack sealing, it may be necessary to address the larger cracks and/or “alligatored” areas that are showing signs of pavement failure prior to resurfacing. Installing a pavement fabric to either an existing surface course or a milled surface is another maintenance technique. Paving fabrics usually cover the entire area that is being resurfaced, while pavement crack paper is usually only applied to cracks of either a milled or existing surface. The fabrics are different for each type of application. Pavement crack paper is typically only used on cracks to help with reflection cracks. It also waterproofs the cracks to stop water from penetrating through them, while pavement fabric is usually applied to larger areas providing a structural component.
- Milling and Paving. Another alternative to resurfacing is milling and paving the wearing course, leaving the base course asphalt and sub-base intact. In some cases, resurfacing alone, without milling, is not possible because there may be other features that would preclude from adding an overlay of asphalt over the existing surface course. This would include curbs, sidewalks, and drainage structures. In those cases, milling would be required.
- Infrared repair. Another repair mechanism is utilizing infrared heating systems. This helps to remove surface materials and replace with asphalt. Specialty machines are used to heat the surface, no flames touch or burn the surface. Once the material is removed, the asphalt is also heated by the machine to seal it in.
Crisdel Group, Inc. has served the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania metropolitan area for more than 45 years. Today, Crisdel’s operations can accommodate all client needs and has recently expanded into Florida. Even though our roots are dug deep in asphalt paving, we can assist clients in all aspects of site development and maintenance as we self-perform most civil and heavy construction requirements.
We have met industry qualifications and have been classified by the Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey Departments of Transportation. Please contact us today to get started on your next construction project.