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Education

Hall Company Inc. is locally owned and has operated in Central Florida since 1983. During this time, we have created both a highly successful asphalt division and site development division. Our expertly trained teams have acquired an extensive range of expertise, professionalism, and an impressive edge in both areas

4 KEY ASPHALT MAINTENANCE TIPS

 

Knowing how to maintain and care for your asphalt can ensure durability, longevity, and quality. Look at these tips for basic solutions to common asphalt problems. Without regular asphalt maintenance, water, sun, and traffic cause asphalt to erode. Although a solid foundation, quality asphalt mix, and professional installation can increase the lifespan of your pavement, it still needs regular attention and care.

 

What causes asphalt to erode?

  • Water

  • Sun drying, or oxidation

  • Heavy traffic

 

 

STEPS TO PREVENTING ASPHALT DETERIORATION

 

Patching

  • Adjusts local issues

  • When surface has weakened (i.e. potholes), patching is typically sufficient. To get the best results for road smoothness or drainage, we recommend surface milling.

  • When the base (foundation) has weakened, stress cracks often show up. To ensure best results, the pavement should be taken away, the foundation looked at for thorough soundness, and then the surface replaced completely.

 

Cracksealing

  • Helps with water penetration and sun drying (oxidation)

  • Clinches the pavement to disable water penetration from foundation

  • Due to seasonal change, asphalt enlarges and shrinks and thermal cracking can happen

  • Cracksealing is a sealant that goes on after corners and edges are routed for optimum hold

 

Sealcoating

  • Asphalt emulsion sealcoats are a cost-effective way to preserve and darken the surface of your pavement providing a cleaner, newer look. Yet, emulsion sealcoats are less durable and require more frequent applications.

  • The chipsealing is best for industrial properties and roadway pavements. This process uses a layer of asphalt emulsion, emulsion covered by aggregates to form a new surface. Additionally, for commercial properties, an asphalt emulsion sealcoat can be used over the top of the chipseal.

 

Overlays

  • Helps fight against oxidation and water penetration with a strengthened, durable, smooth surface

  • Includes a new layer of asphalt, typically 1.5 to 2.5 inches thick over the existing road or parking lot

  • Goes beyond sealcoating, with additional strength, curb appeal, drainage, and smoothness

  • It is best to repair existing damaged areas prior to overlays because old damages will resurface even with the new overlay.

IDENTIFY PAVEMENT DISTRESSES

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Identifying Pavement Distresses Assists in Selecting the Correct Maintenance Options

 

Throughout the service life of a pavement, new distresses will continually be formed by traffic overloading and the natural enemies of asphalt (sun, air, temperature, and water). Therefore, all pavements require periodic maintenance to extend their useful life and maximize the investment. This guideline provides general information about why and how pavements deteriorate. Understanding the basics of pavement distresses is beneficial for creating a proper pavement maintenance plan, which can save money and protect your investment.

 

GENERAL CRACKING

General cracking can occur as a single crack or as a series of cracks in seemingly random locations. These cracks can occur for a number of reasons, including: cold temperatures, settlement of the aggregate base or subgrade material, frost heave, or reflection of previously overlaid cracks. Cracked pavement allows water to flow through the asphalt to the aggregate base and subgrade deteriorating the asphalt and weakening the subgrade.

 

Maintenance Option: Crack sealing will prevent water from reaching the aggregate base.

 

BLOCK CRACKING

Block cracking is the interconnection of several cracks that develop as the pavement ages. Block cracking is identified by the signature square-like pattern formed on the pavement from the cracks.

 

Maintenance Option: Crack sealing and/or sealcoating the pavement can help protect the pavement, but a mill and overlay is a good rehabilitation option before the pavement deteriorates further.

 

FATIGUE CRACKING

Fatigue cracking is a series of interconnected cracks typically described as resembling alligator skin. It is a structural distress, caused by overloading thin pavements or a weak aggregate base or subgrade. This distress can occur in small localized areas or can be widespread.

 

Maintenance Option: Full-depth patching is recommended in areas with localized fatigue

cracking, however, reconstruction is required if the fatigue cracking is a widespread problem.

 

DEFORMATIONS AND DEPRESSIONS

Deformations and depressions are vertical movements of the asphalt pavement caused by overloading or settlement of a weak subgrade. These depressions provide areas for water to pool, which causes the pavement to deteriorate more quickly, leading to the development of potholes.

 

Maintenance Option: Mill patching can be used to repair these deformations and depressions in parking lots.

 

RAVELING

Raveling is the progressive loss of asphalt material from the pavement surface. This typically occurs slowly over a large area, or it can occur quickly in smaller areas forming potholes. Raveling can be identified when exposed rocks can be seen on the pavement surface.

 

Maintenance Option: Rejuvenating sealcoats, emulsion sealcoats, or chipseals can be applied to the pavement surface to protect it from further oxidation and raveling.

 

POTHOLES

Potholes are the localized loss of pavement material typically caused by structural failures, poor drainage, or severe raveling. Potholes are a safety hazard and should be filled quickly.

 

Maintenance Option: Full-depth patching is recommended for all potholes, but fill-in patching can be used for a quick, temporary fix.

SEALCOATING EDUCATION

  • What is the best time of year to sealcoat?
    Ideally the best time of year for driveway sealcoating is between May and October. However, you will want to check the forecast to be as sure it will not rain while the driveway is setting. It is important to not touch or drive on the seal coated driveway for at least 12 hours.
  • How long should asphalt sealcoating last?
    Properly sealcoated asphalt should last 3-5 years although many variable may affect that time frame.
  • Is it necessary to sealcoat asphalt?
    Although not a necessary aspect of regular asphalt maintenance, sealcoating a parking lot or driveway can offer some benefits. The sun's ultraviolet rays and oxygen in the air can damage asphalt, making it brittle. Brittle asphalt can crack, allowing water to enter the paved surface.
  • What does asphalt sealing do?
    Sealcoating fills surface voids, which reduces exposure to oxygen and UV rays and reduces the depth to which oil or gas can penetrate the asphalt. It acts as a waterproofing agent, minimizing the rate at which water enters the asphalt of your driveway or parking lot.
  • How long does Sealcoat take to cure?
    New asphalt should cure a minimum of 30 to 60 days. Once the asphalt is free from oils and sufficiently cured you can apply the sealer.
  • Is sealcoating corrective maintenace?
    No, it is not.
  • Do repairs need to be made before sealcoating?
    Absolutely, if repairs are needed they should be done prior to sealcoating so when the project is completed the coloring is uniform.
  • How do I know if my asphalt needs to be sealcoated or repaved?
    If your asphalt is relatively new (less than 8 years old) you most likely will only need minimal repairs and sealcoating. If your asphalt is aged (more than 8 years old), very worn or hasn’t been properly maintained it is likely that you will need a complete repave. However, every situation is unique. Please allow one of our qualified experts to come out and asses your property and provide you with a free estmate.
  • My business is open 7 days a week with heavy customer traffic. How would I go about sealcoating, repaving or repairing my asphalt without inconveniencing my customers?"
    We at Hall Company strive on customer satisfaction and would be glad to work days, nights and weekends to accommodate your companies needs. Please allow one of our experts to come out and draw a strategic plan of approach so the inconvenience factor is slight to non-existant.
4 Key Asphalt
Pavement Distress
SEALcoating
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