Proper driveway installations greatly affect how that surface ages. There are many steps which means many points at which the job can go awry. This job is best done by a professional, experienced company. The driveway may begin to fail almost immediately if the job is not done in the right way. We can understand how frustrating that could be for a homeowner. With TDM, you can trust that our asphalt driveway installation in Middlesex County is second to none. Knowing exactly which product will work best for your job is the first important decision. There are many more to follow which is why improper asphalt driveway installation in Middlesex County greatly affects the lifetime of that driveway. A bad foundation leads to a shortened life of your driveway.
Types of Asphalt
There is a big difference between the asphalt mix we use for a driveway in comparison to an asphalt mix that would be used for a highway. It is dependent on a variety of factors. An experienced professional will know exactly which product to use for each specific job. A homeowner lacking enough knowledge on the subject may assume that the tougher, higher grade asphalt would make their driveway even more tough than a driveway grade asphalt. This would be incorrect. Each asphalt is mixed based on the use, application, environment, temperature during installation, and many more factors.
Hot Asphalt
A hot asphalt mix will include about 95% stone, sand, and gravel with the remaining 5% is asphalt cement. Asphalt cement is a petroleum product. Many people have seen hot asphalt being applied without knowing exactly what it was. What you see being installed on highways and interstates is hot asphalt. It is popular for busy roads because it cools quickly. After that, it can be driven on almost immediately after the product cools fully and is best used for highways, interstates, and heavily trafficked roads.
Cold Mix
Cold mix asphalt, as you misght suspect, does not require heating. The most common uses of this type of asphalt mix is for repairs like potholes, cracks, and patch jobs. While cold mix asphalt is good for small jobs or temporary repairs, this is not what one would use for a large-scale installation. It is not very strong. It is, therefore, best when used for what it is intended.
Porous Asphalt
Again, a very descriptive name for this mix, porous asphalt lets rainwater drain easily through the surface. It is popular for parking lots and is favorable because of its extended lifetime. This could be upwards of twenty years! Considering the amount of use and abuse parking lots are under, this is an enormous feat. In addition, this long lifetime makes this mix an economically smart decision. Other surfaces like sports surfaces and playground surfaces may also use this type of asphalt mix.
There’s More
Other types are quiet asphalt mixes, dense-grade mixtures, and perpetual pavement. Each type is ideal for certain situations. This is why it is important to contact a professional company that does asphalt driveway installation in Middlesex County.
Precise Asphalt Driveway Installation in Middlesex County is Key for Success
Without properly istallation, no asphalt surface is going to last nearly as long as it should. This has to do with selection of product, proper compacting, and completing the job in the right weather. The possible failures that can arise from not using the correct asphalt driveway installation in Middlesex County are many.
Alligator Cracking
Also commonly referred to as failure cracking, this type of asphalt failure can be due to using the wrong substrate for the project. If the wrong base layer is used, there won’t be even load distribution making the entire surface extremely weak. Also, with too heavy of a load use, the substrate can begin to erode and breakdown which leads to cracked asphalt. Another reason for cracking is also related to improper installation and that is applying too thin a layer of pavement. The appropriate application of the correct product can defend against all of this.
Dips and Depressions
These dangerous surface failures are usually the result of improper compaction during the installation process. Again, this an easily avoided issue with professional, proper installation practices. These types of failures do not reach to the base layers. Instead, they work as basins where water will collect. If not repaired quickly, the build-up of debris will weaken the surface causing greater damage.
Potholes
Normally, potholes are the end-stage result of an asphalt surface with alligator cracking that has not been repaired. Water easily seeps into cracks creating weakness. As more and more cracks appear, they will eventually join each other. Following that, chunks of asphalt will easily begin to break away. Then, every car that passes over makes these holes much worse. Without repair, potholes can cause damage to tires, cars, and also trips and falls.
Proper Asphalt Driveway Installation in Middlesex County is the Best Offense
All asphalt impairments should be fixed as soon as possible. However, the easiest way to avoid early failure of your asphalt driveway or other asphalt surface is to have it done properly from the start. The best way to do this? Hire an experienced, professional team like ours! Just like a home’s ultimate safety hinges on the foundation, an asphalt surface is only as strong as the application. If you take a short cut or don’t select the right product or process, your asphalt will fail quickly. This is a great way to pay a lot more for your asphalt project. Instead, have it done right the first time! Contact us anytime to discuss your project.
Primarily water run-off. For example, if your downspout and/or splash block are not directing water away from your driveway, the constant flow can eventually wear away the asphalt in that area. In addition to this, asphalt itself is a porous substance. Meaning, it will absorb a certain amount of water when it rains or is cleaned. This can eventually soften the base and cause cracks under pressure. Another effect that water has on asphalt is that it hardens the bitumen. Bitumen is the element that gives asphalt its elasticity. When the elasticity is gone, asphalt can get dry and brittle and crack easily.
Most driveways and asphalt surfaces are uncovered. Most do not have roofs or awnings to protect them from the damaging sun rays. Daily exposure to the sun can dry out the bitumen, similar to water exposure. Oxidation from the UV rays turns asphalt brittle. It is easy to see this process in action because oxidized bitumen turns asphalt gray. This means that any asphalt surface that has a faded appearance has already suffered the effects of sun damage.
Liquids like petroleum and oil can cause asphalt to disintegrate. Just as water and oxidation can dry out the bitumen causing brittle asphalt, chemicals can cause similar damage. Luckily, this is an item that you can take steps to prevent. For one, it is imperative to clean up any spills on the asphalt. The clean-up process depends on the material spilled so be sure to check with the manufacturer on proper clean-up protocol. The longer a chemical is allowed to sit on the surface of the asphalt, the deeper it will begin to seep. The deeper the chemical gets, the deeper the damage goes as well. Second, if a leak is noticed in a vehicle, get it fixed immediately or park on something to protect your driveway from further damage. Lastly, the best way to protect against chemicals, and all negative forces is to sealcoat your asphalt surface.