How to Improve the Appearance of Your Asphalt Pavements

Your asphalt pavement is important to you. It was a significant investment intended to increase property value, safety, and curb appeal. So, it is no surprise that you are interested in learning ways to enhance the appearance so that it looks the way it did the day it was installed. Whether you have an asphalt driveway or parking lot, the options for making it look better remain fairly the same.

Continue reading to learn how you can make your asphalt pavement look like new again.

Asphalt Repair Company Indianapolis Indiana 317-549-1833
Asphalt Repair Company Indianapolis Indiana 317-549-1833

Asphalt Overlays

If your paved surface is old and faded, an overlay is a great investment. As long as the existing pavement is in good structural condition, a new layer of asphalt can be poured directly over it, rendering a fresh, brand-new paved surface. Not only are overlays efficient and cost-effective, but they are also long-lasting. If your paved surface is not structurally sound, you can get the same results by removing the old pavement and repaving the entire surface with new asphalt. These two options are the most invasive and significant investments, but they are worth the overall value you receive long term.

Do-It-Yourself Tips

If you are not interested in a pavement renovation, you can still benefit by implementing some do-it-yourself strategies to keep your lot or drive looking great. First, routine debris removal is important. This involves picking up trash and litter on a daily basis. It also involves prompt leaf and snow removal every season. Not only does this prevent unsightly stains, corrosion, and hazards, it makes the lot look clean and fresh. If you have a large lot or complex, it is wise to invest in a street sweeping machine to make this chore more efficient.

Preventative Maintenance and Repairs

Whether you choose to overlay your existing pavement, demo and repave your asphalt, or implement DIY strategies, preventative maintenance and fixing minor damages is a must. Catching small problems early on can save you money and maintain strong pavement. This includes crack filling, pothole repair, line striping and painting, grade repairs, drainage adjustments, and more. You must always be maintaining your paved surfaces, regardless of condition or square footage.

Sealcoating

Every paved asphalt surface should have a protective coating. Asphalt needs to be seal coated every 3 to 5 years, especially in regions that are hot and dry most of the year. This thin, clear protective layer shields harmful sunrays, which prevents it from prematurely fading, cracking, and more. It also creates a waterproof barrier that prevents corrosion, crumbling, heaving, and more.

Are you ready to improve the look of your commercial asphalt parking lot and pavements? Contact ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for parking lot paving and commercial road construction in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve commercial and industrial clients all throughout Central Indiana.

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Can I Cover Concrete With Asphalt?

There are plenty of workable options when it comes to renovating an existing concrete foundation. But most options are not DIY friendly, leaving many busy proprietors tempted to simply cover it with freshly-paved asphalt. Is this possible? Are there risks to doing so? Continue reading to learn what to expect if you decide to pave over concrete with asphalt, including the common side effects that might arise.

Indianapolis Asphalt Concrete Service
Indianapolis Asphalt Concrete Service 317-549-1833

Is it Possible to Pave Over Concrete With Asphalt?

Yes, it is possible to pave over concrete with asphalt. As it turns out, concrete is a suitable base material, and will provide a stable and strong foundation for additional layers of building materials or structures. As for asphalt, a concrete base provides the perfect conditions for excellent asphalt compaction, which is important for ultimate pavement function, appeal, and longevity.

However, there are certain factors that you should consider before moving forward with your pavement overlay. Here are a few likely scenarios:

Unstable Soil – If the concrete was not originally paved over stable soil, the unstable soil conditions will likely impact any new layers of pavement poured on top, whether asphalt or more concrete. Slabs will pivot at their expansion joints, and eventually move with traffic, causing heaves, depressions, cracks, and more; quite a bumpy ride, needless to say.

Expansion Joints – On the topic of concrete expansion joints, they have the tendency to shift overtime. When this happens, cracks can form in the concrete base, and anywhere there is a crack in the concrete base, a crack will form in the same place in the asphalt. This is known as reflective cracking.

Fatigued Cracking – A scattered series of interconnected crack lines in pavement is called fatigued cracking. The structural failure of an HMA (hot asphalt mix) surface or stabilized base is generally caused by repetitive loading and heavy traffic. Overall, inadequate structural support is the common cause of fatigued cracking.

Trust a Professional Asphalt and Concrete Contractor for Advice

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc. at 317-549-1833 for commercial and large-scale asphalt and concrete paving in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Lindsey Lewis, and his team of licensed and insured pavers, provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete paving services for commercial, industrial, and municipal properties. Request a free estimate, today.

The Importance of Concrete Stability When Paving Over It With Asphalt

If your commercial lot looks like it has seen better days, it could very-well be time for an upgrade. Pavement upgrades can come in all different forms, depending on unique factors surrounding your lot’s condition. In some cases, concrete lots are well-suited for an asphalt overlay. But many property owners wonder if you can, in fact, pave over old concrete pavement with asphalt. The answer is, yes. However, it takes supreme skill and paving knowledge to get it done correctly. If the concrete foundation is not stable enough, an asphalt overlay will suffer the consequences.

Continue reading to learn why concrete stability is so important to an asphalt overlay project, and who to trust for premium advice regarding your pavement renovation needs.

Indianapolis Commercial Paving 317-549-1833
Indianapolis Commercial Paving 317-549-1833

Stable Concrete Foundations are a Must

Although it is perfectly safe to add asphalt on top of concrete, it must be done properly to get good compaction and lasting results. Not only should it last a long time, it should look good. This is where concrete stability comes into play. Concrete is often used a base material because of its stability benefits, but this does not mean that it is always stable enough for an overlay project. If it is not, there can be a lot of negative and costly side effects.

Poor Concrete Stability

In contrast to asphalt concrete is not compacted, nor does it have to be. That is because it will harden over any surface, naturally. In fact, it is a common industry practice to lay concrete directly over unstable soil because it can bridge the stability imbalance. But overtime, if concrete is laid over an unstable base, its slabs will eventually begin to move and crack at the expansion joints.  Ultimately, what you get is a very unsightly surface filled with cracks, crevices, depressions, and heaves.

Fortunately, a professional paving company can ensure that your concrete base is stable for an asphalt overly, and that the expansion joints will not shift after installation. They accomplish this by making sure the base has an even thickness, and that the concrete has been thoroughly cleaned to ensure proper adhesion. They also properly install paving fabrics, mill portions of the concrete when necessary, and use an industry-specific adhesive material that is extra strong, and will bond the asphalt to the concrete. Lastly, a pro always uses hot-mix asphalt for overlays to get the best results.

Who to Trust for Commercial Pavement Work in Indianapolis

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 when you need commercial pavement repair for asphalt and concrete. Our licensed and bonded paving contractors provide pavement repair, sealcoating, road work, commercial paving, industrial paving, winter cold patching, and much more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.