Asphalt has become the leading choice for pavements of all types. Asphalt pavements are economical, durable, attractive, and easy to maintain. However, to reap the benefits of asphalt pavement installation, it is essential to choose a reputable, experienced Houston paving company to handle the job. A poorly installed pavement will likely require major repairs or even total replacement within a relatively short time.
How Should a Paving Contractor Approach an Asphalt Pavement Installation?
Before tendering a firm quote for your asphalt paving project, your contractor will almost certainly want to visit the site. He needs to know what is currently on the site that will need to be removed, including an existing pavement, trees, vegetation, and abandoned structures. He will want to evaluate whether the trucks delivering the mix from the asphalt company will be able to access the site; if not, he may need to plan on creating a temporary or permanent access road. He will evaluate the soil to determine whether it will need to be amended. Once your contractor has the information he needs, he can proceed.
What Is the Process for Asphalt Pavement Installation?
After the site is cleared, your contractor will grade and slope the area for the new pavement. Asphalt pavements typically have a slight slope to direct runoff toward each side. With the grade established, the contractor will then construct and compact the subbase so that the pavement will have a stable foundation. At this point, he may conduct a proof roll to ensure that the subbase is adequately compacted and does not contain any soft areas. If soft spots are found, he will repair them. The binder course is applied next, followed by the required number of courses of asphalt. Each course will be compacted before the next course is installed. The top course will be the surface course, which is designed to be smoother and more attractive. Transitions between pavements will be addressed so that vehicles can pass from one pavement to the next without encountering a bump. The final roll involves a roller truck that performs the final compaction to ensure that the surface is smooth and sufficiently compacted.
Is the Process the Same for an Asphalt Overlay?
An asphalt overlay, which is sometimes called asphalt resurfacing, requires a different process before installing the asphalt courses. The contractor will bring in a milling machine to remove the top two or three inches of asphalt pavement. If necessary, the contractor will repair any potholes, cracks, or alligatored areas, and he will fix the foundation layers if he finds evidence that erosion has occurred. The pavement is then cleaned thoroughly, and a tack coat may be applied to ensure a strong bond is established between the overlay and the existing pavement. From this point on, the process is basically the same; new courses of asphalt are installed and compacted until the desired depth has been achieved.
Where Can I Learn More About Asphalt Pavement Installation?
Marathon Solutions Group, a Houston based paving contractor, has always welcomed the opportunity to discuss our processes and methods. We offer an extensive selection of paving services, including asphalt paving and resurfacing, sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt crack repair, concrete installation and repair, bollard installation, thermoplastic markings, and parking lot signage. We serve customers throughout the Houston metropolitan area, including the cities of Conroe, Cypress, Katy, Humble, Baytown, League City, and Pearland. Our reputation for craftsmanship, service, professionalism, and integrity is unmatched. If you are interested in requesting a free quote, you can submit the online form or call us at 800-879-1147.
