3 Reasons Why it is Important to Understand Asphalt Sealcoating

Posted on January 29, 2021 by admin

As a commercial property owner or manager, it is your duty to ensure your premises is a safe and hazard-free environment that looks good, appeals to clients, and performs optimally. When it comes to your parking lot, all of these objectives can be achieved with proper sealcoat work. You might have a vague understanding of asphalt sealcoating, but diving in a bit deeper will help you have better insight that will translate to the overall success of your business.

Continue reading to learn 3 reasons why this level of understanding is so valuable for commercial real estate and business owners, and how you can determine when your premise requires a fresh sealing next.

Knowing the True Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating Will Increase Your Business’s Overall Success.

Parking Lot Sealcoating

Parking lots are one of the types of asphalt pavements that benefit the most from proper, routine sealcoating. In fact, industry surveys have suggested that more than 80% of the sealcoat market are parking lot projects. With the frequency and weight of both vehicular and foot traffic, combined with the predictable Indiana inclement weather conditions, and inevitable wear and tear, parking lots see a lot of damage overtime. This is why sealcoating is so vital to their performance, safety, and longevity.

Additional Sealcoating Applications

Parking lots are not the only asphalt pavements that benefit from sealcoats. Additional sealcoating applications include walkways, playgrounds, stadiums, airfields, and racetracks. All of these surfaces are better off with a proper and regular sealcoat schedule.

Why it is Good to Be Knowledgeable About Sealcoating

➀► You Can Better Protect Your Investment. Your commercial property is a major asset, and therefore, a very serious investment. By maintaining your parking lot and asphalt paved surfaces for as long as possible, you not only safeguard the viability of your investment, but you also save money in the grand scheme of things. Since sealcoating tends to cost less than 20 cents per square foot, the math will show you just how worth sealcoats are to proprietors.

➁► You Will Effectively Keep Costs Down. Sealcoating certainly has its aesthetic benefits, but it is primarily an effective preventative maintenance approach that saves you time and money. Proper sealcoating means less repairs, less liability in terms of injuries and accidents, and a less likely chance of needed overlays. A good sealcoat will also allow you to catch minor problems and defects in their early stages, which helps avoid costly, disastrous repairs or overhauls.

➂► You Can Develop an Efficient Schedule. By understanding just how important asphalt sealcoating is for your commercial investment, you can better develop a sealcoating and asphalt maintenance schedule that most effectively meets all agenda, budget, and business objectives. Of course, you will also need to work alongside your trusted Indianapolis sealcoating contractor to ensure your property’s needs are being met accordingly.

Premium Commercial Asphalt Sealcoating in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial asphalt paving and sealcoating in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide several Indianapolis asphalt and concrete paving services, including pothole repair, winter cold patching, municipal road work, and more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.

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Will Salt Damage Asphalt Pavement?

Posted on January 18, 2021 by admin

Whether they have been there for years or you have just recently paved, your asphalt surfaces are an important investment. As a result of the recent snow, you might be asking yourself whether or not you should be applying salt to rid the ice and slush. If you are, you are not alone. Many people worry that throwing salt on asphalt will damage it or cause it to deteriorate. Before tossing out all of your supply, continue reading to learn the real facts about the affects of salt and similar de-icing agents might have on asphalt.

Salt and Reagents are Mostly Safe to Use on Asphalt Pavements.

What You Need to Know About Applying Salt to Asphalt

The truth about snow melting and de-icing salts is that they will not deteriorate or damage your asphalt pavement, nor will they cause potholes to form. However, such salts can cause line striping and road markings to fade more quickly, over time, as well as pose certain environmental risks of not handled and applied properly.

Protect the Environment

When using salts on pavements, it is important to consider the environmental impact it can have on the surrounding Eco-system. To prevent water runoff contamination, be cautious when applying your salt by using it sparingly, and always shoveling snow away first.

Don’t Worry About Potholes

Applying salt on asphalt should not cause it to deteriorate or crack, which means you do not have to be concerned about pothole formation come spring. Potholes develop as a result of annual freeze-thaw cycles, which occurs when water trapped inside pavement pores freezes in the winter, and then thaws in the spring. When water inside pavement freezes, it causes the pavement to expand. When the water thaws, the pavement contracts, which leads to cracks and other ground stability issues.

Salt is Essentially Safe for Asphalt

It is a common misunderstanding that salt will damage asphalt. So long as your asphalt was laid by a trusted and certified Indianapolis asphalt paving company, your asphalt surfaces should be fully-resistant to any potential affects salt and other minerals can have on them. Furthermore, it is important to have asphalt seal coated, and then resealed every three to five years; otherwise, you could start to see pavement deterioration.

Where to Get Superior Asphalt Service in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for licensed, bonded, and insured commercial asphalt paving services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer a wide range of paving services for commercial and industrial properties, at the most competitive prices in town, including pothole repair and winter cold patching work. Request a free quote, today.

What to Include in a Parking Lot Preventative Maintenance Plan (PMP)

Posted on December 7, 2020 by admin

As a commercial proprietor, you must understand that your parking lot is a vital investment to the overall success of your business. Even if you do not serve customers at your location, your staff and laborers will require a safe and functional lot to park and drive through. For these reasons and more, one of the best methods of investment protection you can take is to incorporate a parking lot preventative maintenance plan (PMP) into your comprehensive facility maintenance program.

Continue reading to learn more about parking lot preventative maintenance, and walk away with a better understanding of what you need to do for your pavements, year round.

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Parking Lot Preventative Maintenance

The parking lot is the very first opportunity you get to make an impression on your customers. Furthermore, the functionality and safety of your parking lot directly influence your annual costs and ultimately, your bottom line. Not only does unsafe parking lot conditions put your business at risk for being sued under premise liability laws in the case that someone is injured as a result of negligent pavement care or ignored repairs, but it also sets a tone for how you conduct your company’s operations. Customers want to see a nice-looking lot because it speaks to the professionalism and capability of a business.

Sealcoating and Crack Filling Services

The absolute best investment you can make for your commercial property is developing and implementing a parking lot preventative maintenance plan (PMP). Although referred to by many other names, a parking lot preventative maintenance plan basically involves routine sealcoating and hot rubberized crack sealing services. And although there are several other components of parking lot maintenance, these two services are key in abating asphalt damages.

Sealcoating

One of the most common and effective methods for extending the life of asphalt pavement is sealcoating. A properly-applied sealcoat provides long-lasting protection against chemical spills like oil and gasoline, as well as inclement weather and heavy traffic. Once new asphalt pavement is laid, it generally takes at least 4 to 6 weeks for the surface to rid itself of light oils through the process of oxidation. Once this process is complete, sealcoat can be applied. Sealcoat your asphalt parking lot and pavements every 3 to 5 years for optimal protection. Talk to a trusted and licensed paving contractor to learn when is the best time of year to sealcoat asphalt.

Hot Rubberized Crack Sealing

Crack sealing is equally important to asphalt sealcoating because it stops working cracks from becoming worse, and ultimately, causing massive and exponential destruction to a parking lot. A working crack is a crack that is either vertical or horizontal, and is exhibiting movements greater than 2.5 millimeters. Examples of working cracks include transverse cracks, and in some cases, longitudinal cracks. Crack sealing is applied in a unique configuration to give asphalt less permeability, stopping water infiltration, salt, and other debris. They bend, stretch, and flex along with the surrounding pavement’s movement, preventing further cracking.

Crack Filling

For non-working cracks, or cracks that move less than 2.5 millimeters per year, crack filling is the service required. Examples of such material includes crumb rubber, asphalt emulsion, AC-3, and more. This not only reinforces the pavement, but it also drastically reduces water infiltration which can cause cracks to expand.

Additional Aspects to Include in a PMP:

⛿ Routine Cleaning and Debris Removal
⛿ Pothole Repair
⛿ Winter Cold Patching
⛿ Drainage Inspections
⛿ Culvert Maintenance and Repair
⛿ Bollard Maintenance and Repair
⛿ Line Striping
⛿ Road Marking
⛿ Snow Removal/Ice Management

Indianapolis Indiana Parking Lot Maintenance and Repair Service

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pavement maintenance and repair for parking lots in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide several Indianapolis asphalt and concrete paving services, including pavement repair, sealcoating, road work, commercial paving, industrial paving, winter cold patching, and more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.

Primary Factors Used to Calculate the Cost of Asphalt Sealcoating

Posted on November 30, 2020 by admin

Your pavements, although strong and properly laid, are still vulnerable to a long list of enemies. From inclement weather like extreme heat or cold, to chemical spills, oxidation, salt, freeze-thaw cycles, and more, there are many things that can damage your asphalt. For this reason, it is vital to include sealcoating into your asphalt preventative maintenance plan. Sealcoats work as a protective layer, abating the inevitable damages of natural wear and tear, traffic, gasoline, and everything else your pavements endure.

Although vital to a property owner’s overall investment, sealcoating is often put to the wayside when it comes to asphalt and parking lot maintenance. If you are considering asphalt sealcoating service soon, you might want to educate yourself of how much you can expect to pay, and compare that potential cost to your overall business objectives.

Continue reading to learn which kinds of factors will have the most impact on the total cost of your sealcoating work.

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Coal Tar and Asphalt Emulsion Sealers

Coal tar and asphalt emulsion are the two primary types of sealers used in commercial paving. They generally have the same price points, between $0.15 and $0.25 per square foot. However, there are a number of factors that can increase or decrease this price range, including lot size, lot layout, preparation, and the cost of raw materials.

► Lot Size – The total square footage of your paved asphalt lot is usually the base factor to evaluating the total cost of a sealcoating job. You can get the average idea by multiplying your lot’s total square footage by the median price per square foot for sealcoat work, or $0.20.

► Lot Layout – The size of your lot is one factor that will impact the total cost of sealcoating, while layout is another. The construct and layout of your paved asphalt lot can influence the cost of sealcoat work if it is particularly tricky to access or complexly designed. More open lots tend to be easier in terms of labor, which speeds up project completion and reduces cost of labor.

► Preparation Work – A paved lot is not ready to go as far as a new sealcoat goes. There is always work involved in preparing a lot for sealcoating, including cleaning and clearing debris. The extent of cleaning and preparation needed for your lot will impact your total sealcoat cost.

► Raw Materials – Recently, there has been a drastic increase in cost for areas of the pavement construction industry. Prices have gone up for insurance, fuel, and coal tar and asphalt emulsion raw materials. If you are quoted work for less than $0.14 per square foot, you are likely going to get inferior work.

Where to Get Trusted Asphalt Sealcoating Work in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for trusted sealcoating and asphalt paving in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are your leaders in asphalt and concrete pavement and road construction services. We serve commercial and industrial clients in Indianapolis and all throughout Central Indiana. Get started with parking lot sealcoating service for your commercial property now, before the harsh winter weather sets in and it’s too late! Contact us today for a free quote.

What is a Good Crack Sealant?

Posted on November 5, 2020 by admin

Asphalt pavements are not entirely resistant to water damage unless they are properly treated with a quality sealcoat. Even then, cracks are bound to happen. But so long as you repair small cracks early on, they are much more manageable, and cheaper, to resolve. If you are looking for the best crack filler and sealer on the market, look no further than your local home improvement store. Of course, you will need to know what to look for once you have a selection of crack repair products to choose from in order to get the right one for the job.

Continue below to learn exactly that.

Crack Filling and Crack Sealing

Before you can choose the right crack sealant, you will need to know the difference between crack filling and sealing. The primary difference between the two is the type of crack they treat. Working cracks are cracks that show more than 3 millimeters of horizontal movement every year, while non-working cracks do not show this much movement, or any at all. With that bit if knowledge, you can understand how crack filling and sealing are applied.

You see, crack filling is a practice primarily used to repair non-working cracks, generally by means of filling the crevices, and for the purpose of preventing water intrusion and re-adjoining the surrounding pavement. Crack sealing is used to repair working cracks by filling the crevices with material, with the intention of preventing water permeation and fortify the surrounding pavement.

Choosing a Crack Sealer

There are various types of crack sealing products on the market, all of which are available at your local home improvement store. In order to choose the right product for your intended application, be sure to look for good absorption and interlock. The most common types of crack sealants include:

► Emulsion
► Asphalt Cement
► Rubber Asphalt
► Fiber-Modified Asphalt
► Rubberized Asphalt
► Self-Leveling Silicone
► Fiberized Asphalt

Overall, the best way to know which type of crack filler and sealant is best for the job is to ask a professional Indianapolis paving contractor who has the experience to give you trusted advice. For large-scale pavement repair projects, outsourcing the work optimizes your commercial investment. Just be sure to choose an accomplished and reputable pavement repair company that can deliver superior results.

Commercial Asphalt Paving and Repair in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial asphalt paving and sealcoating service in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete pavement repair and installation services at the most competitive prices in town, including crack filling, overlays, resurfacing, and sealcoating. Request a free estimate, today!

Why Choose ACI for Commercial Sealcoating and Asphalt Repair in Indiana

Posted on September 17, 2020 by admin

Here at ACI Asphalt and Concrete, we want our current and potential clients to know exactly what we do and why so many Hoosiers choose us for Indianapolis, Indiana road construction and parking lot pavement work. Not only are we a fully licensed, bonded, and insured Indianapolis commercial paving company that has more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the asphalt and concrete service industry, we retain the latest technologies and state-of-the-art resources to deliver the highest level of excellence on every job, regardless of size or scope.

Continue below to learn why you should choose us for your commercial sealcoating and asphalt repair needs, and how to get started with a free bid as soon as today!

Indianapolis Asphalt Sealcoating Service 317-549-1833

We Serve Commercial and Industrial Clients in Central Indiana

The qualified and skilled pavement repair contractors at ACI Asphalt and Concrete all share the same objective, which is to deliver the highest level of craftsmanship on every job, no matter how large or small the order may be. Whether you need your asphalt complex repaved for the fall season, a few potholes repaired around your warehouse, or some fresh road markings and line stripes for your retail parking lot, we are the expert commercial paving contractors to trust for unparalleled results at the most competitive prices in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out what kinds of properties we work on the most, and what types of services we offer, year-round, below.

ACI ASPHALT AND CONCRETE COMMERCIAL PAVING CONTRACTORS SERVE SEVERAL TYPES OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, INCLUDING:

☑ Townhome and Condominium Associations
☑ Venture Capital Properties
☑ Apartment Complexes
☑ Business Parking Lots
☑ Industrial Lots and Complexes
☑ Government Lots
☑ Municipal Lots
☑ Paved Walkways and Sidewalks
☑ Retail Centers
☑ Shopping Malls
☑ Car Dealership Lots
☑ School Campuses
☑ Hospital Lots
☑ Public Roadways and Interstates
☑ Hotels
☑ Parks
☑ And More

ACI ASPHALT AND CONCRETE COMMERCIAL PAVEMENT SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

☑ Sealcoating
☑ Asphalt Repair
☑ Asphalt Paving
☑ Concrete Paving
☑ Pothole Repair
☑ Pavement Markings
☑ Road Striping
☑ Parking Lot Repair
☑ Road Milling
☑ Road Resurfacing
☑ Overlays
☑ Water Drainage Mitigation
☑ Curbs, Bollards, and Posts
☑ Winter Cold Patching
☑ And More

Trusted Leaders in Indianapolis Commercial Paving Work

In addition to being a licensed, bonded, and insured company with more than three decades of hands-on experience in the paving industry, we are also active members of the Better Business Bureau, Indiana Manufactured Housing Association, Community Association Institute, and the Apartment Association of Indiana. As a locally owned and operated company here in Indianapolis, we are dedicated to supporting our communities with reputable and friendly paving service at economy-based prices.

Request More Information Today!

Here at ACI Asphalt and Concrete, we are truly dedicated to proving superior asphalt paving services and sealcoating for the local municipalities in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. In fact, we are truly honored to be members of the local community, and strive to be your affordable solution for professional, high-quality municipal pavement repair and service. Contact us at 317-549-1833 to learn more about our asphalt and concrete paving services, today.

Do I Need a Concrete Sealcoat for My Lot?

Posted on August 12, 2020 by admin

Concrete is a widely used pavement made from combining several natural materials, such as lime cement, gravel, sand, and water. It is a man-made, permeable material used in the construction industry all across the world. As a permeable pavement, concrete is vulnerable to cracking, weather damage, atrophy, and more. Because of its porous characteristics, concrete must be protected. This is where concrete sealers come in handy.

Continue reading to learn about all the benefits associated with using concrete sealers and seal coating.

Indianapolis Commercial Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Concrete is a Porous Pavement Material

Concrete is porous, as mentioned before. It has several inner channels and tubes that allow water and moisture to pass through. When this liquid freezes and thaws, it creates large gaps and crevices in concrete pavement. Water flow within these inner channels can also cause concrete to deteriorate over time. In order to thwart water seepage in concrete, it is necessary to seal it properly. Concrete sealers do just that!

Seal coating is a process of pavement protection that can more than double the life of concrete. It drastically reduces salt damage, wear and tear caused from traffic, and protects against natural elements like harsh weather and wildlife. It can even prevent dingy smells and musty odors! They strengthen and reinforce pavement so it can last longer and require less maintenance. It reduces cracking, crumbling, breakage, splitting, dusting, fading, and more. The most common residential and commercial uses for paving sealants is for driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, basement floors, and other areas of exposed concrete.

Proper Concrete Protection is a Must

If you want concrete pavement to be impenetrable, a proper sealer must be applied. It is important to consult and outsource a professional paving contractor for accurate industry information and guidance. They retain the latest technologies, proper industry equipment, and extensive knowledge for professional concrete seal coating. Commercial properties commonly used urethane sealers, such as siloxane, siliconate, and silane. Residential properties tend to use epoxy sealers, like water-based epoxy or penetrating epoxy. These sealants provide a tougher, thicker, chemical-resistant film. Epoxy sealers are perfect for marine applications as well. No matter what sealcoating application you choose, always be sure it is safe to use and safe for the environment.

Where to Get Licensed Concrete Pavement Work in Indianapolis

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial and industrial concrete repair and paving services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed and qualified contractors provide several paving services for both asphalt and concrete, including pavement repair, sealcoating, road work, commercial paving, industrial paving, winter cold patching, and more. We are the industry veterans to trust for skilled craftsmanship and competitive prices! Request a free estimate, today.

How Asphalt Crack Filling Protects Your Investment

Posted on July 23, 2020 by admin

One of the most important maintenance practices you can do for your asphalt pavement is to fill in the cracks when they occur. Without filling in your asphalt cracks, over time, water will eventually penetrate deep within the pavement. Once water is inside the cracks, seasons pass, and the water freezes and thaws, thus causing the pavement to expand and contract over and over again.

As a result, you get more cracks come spring, as well as, more intense pavement damage, such as alligator cracking, crumbling, heaving, pavement depressions, un-leveled surfaces, and potholes. Worst of all, cracks that go unfilled over time will eventually cause damage deep within the pavement, at the base level. This causes the overall integrity of the pavement to weaken, and therefore reduce your property’s value.

In order to ensure your asphalt pavement does not incur more crack damage than a should on a seasonal basis, be sure you fill in your cracks as soon as they become evident. Continue reading to learn why asphalt crack filling protects your investment, and where you can get trusted asphalt repair and resurfacing services near you.

Indianapolis Commercial Paving 317-549-1833 — Indianapolis Asphalt Commercial Paving 317-549-1833

Potholes

Potholes stand out, so you don’t have to go looking for them. But you do need to have them repaired for the sake of liability, as well as, your investment and property value. If your asphalt has many potholes and large cracks, it might be time for a complete repaving project. If there are just one or two potholes, you can have them cleaned, filled, and sealed just like you would large asphalt cracks.

Large Cracks

Cracks are no good to have in pavement. Cracks lead to more cracks, and exponential damage after that. For this reason, it is important to keep an eye out for large cracks in your asphalt driveway or parking lot. Any crack larger than 1/4^th of an inch should be treated right away. This includes cleaning, filling, and sealing all cracks larger than a quarter inch. This will prevent water from seeping into the pavement and jeopardizing the sub-grade.

Small Cracks

In addition to large cracks, small cracks can have a massive effect on the overall function and performance of your asphalt pavement. Furthermore, they will eventually turn into larger cracks and worse kinds of pavement damage, which chips away at your investments overall value. Sealcoating is the best method to prevent small cracking.

Standing Water

One of the biggest culprits behind asphalt deterioration is sitting surface water. When water sits on top of asphalt, it slowly breaks down its barriers, making it more vulnerable to damage like cracks, crevices, and potholes. The reason why sitting water becomes an issue for asphalt pavement is poor water drainage, either as a result of improper engineering and installation, or from some sort of breakdown or malfunction. Storm water management and annual sealcoating can help protect your asphalt pavement from such issues.

Commercial Asphalt Repair Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial asphalt paving and asphalt maintenance and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed road construction contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete work for commercial and industrial properties, including inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. We also offer free estimates and consultations, flexible scheduling, references upon request, and more. Best of all, our work is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assure that your investment is sound. Request a free quote, today.

Why Pothole Repair Should Be at the Top of Your Priority List

Posted on March 31, 2020 by admin

Although spring has had a strong start this year, allowing us to enjoy brighter, greener days, those damaging potholes left over from winter are still depriving drivers of a safe and comfortable commute. It is vital to repair potholes as soon as they form, and even prior to forming. Not only does pothole repair support safety, function, and convenience, it also supports economic growth, cost-savings, and investment protection.

Continue reading to learn why you, as a commercial or municipal proprietor, should outsource professional pothole repair service as soon as your pavements begin to show signs of cracking and deterioration.

Indianapolis Pothole Repair 317-549-1833

The Importance of Pothole Repair

Potholes are arguably one of the biggest issues in metropolitan areas among commuters. To make matters more serious, potholes get worse as time goes on. So, if a pothole is not repaired, it will only continue to get bigger, and eventually it will evolve into a massive crumbling hole. Potholes are created by excess moisture in asphalt and concrete pavements. This is usually a result of snow, ice, and rain.

Porous pavements, like concrete, lose their protective coating after a few years as a result of natural wear and tear. The same can happen to asphalt paving as well. When this happens, they become vulnerable to water accumulation in their pores. Accumulated water then freezes and thaws from season to season, causing pavement to deteriorate from within. This leads to pavement cracks, fractures, fissures, and more.

Pothole Repair

As soon as you see signs of pothole formation, it is important to have your pavements inspected and serviced to inhibit further damage and deterioration. From there, is it essential to protect your pavements from damage with regular cleaning, maintenance, and most importantly, sealcoating. See our blog, “Frequently Asked Questions about Sealcoating” to learn what you need to know about protecting your pavements. The most common signs that suggest your pavements will soon form potholes are water retention and puddling, cracking, crumbling pavement, loose gravel, and lack of seal coat.

The process of repairing and patching up potholes can differ slightly depending on certain variables, such as the condition of the pavement, the type of pavement, extent of damage, and more. For most paving repair projects, the process involves a general pattern of steps. A paving company will always start with a full inspection of the damaged pavement to provide an accurate assessment. This allows them to then plan the pothole patching process according to your property’s unique needs.

Commercial Pothole Repair Services in Indianapolis

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional pothole repair services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our licensed road construction contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete work for commercial and industrial properties, including inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. We also offer free estimates and consultations, flexible scheduling, references upon request, and more. Best of all, our work is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assure that your investment is sound. Request a free quote, today.

How Will Snow Affect My Pavements?

Posted on December 16, 2019 by admin

The snow is already here in Indiana. Did you prepare your sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots properly? If not, you will likely begin to see the minor and major affects winter weather can have on our pavements. Not sure if this warning applies to you? Continue reading to learn how snow, ice, and cold temperatures can impact the overall quality and condition of your asphalt and concrete pavements.

Freeze Thaw Damages

Both asphalt and concrete are susceptible to freeze thaw damages under certain conditions. Concrete is a naturally porous pavement, which means water can permeate within its surface. When this happens in the winter, the water eventually freezes, causing the concrete to expand. When temperatures begin to rise in spring, the water melts within concrete, causing it to contract. This expansion and contraction process is known as freeze thaw cycles, and the damages they cause to pavements are wide ranging.

Although asphalt is not porous, without proper and routine sealcoating, moisture can seep inside and cause freeze thaw damage. The signs of freeze thaw damage on pavements will not really be evident until the snow melts. Sometimes, Indiana can experience snow all the way until spring. The most common effects of freeze thaw cycles on pavement include faded paint, potholes, cracks, alligator cracking, depressions, heaving, and more.

De-Icers

Another common winter threat to our pavements are also a widely-useful tool against slippery, wet surfaces. We are talking about de-icers. When using large amounts over a long period of time on concrete, deicers can cause pavement to deteriorate. Salt is harmful to concrete pavement because it is acidic, and acid can break down the bonds within concrete, leading to crumbling, cracks, and more. Furthermore, concrete pavement freezes faster than other pavements, which often leads to using more deicer. Also, concrete bridges and overpasses are generally constructed with steel; and overtime, steel corrodes from salt.

When it comes to asphalt pavements, deicers are fortunately not so harmful. Asphalt is not affected by deicers because of the way it is engineered. Hot-mix asphalt is contains customized proportions of aggregates like stone, sand, and petroleum, which enables it to withstand the regional environment it was mixed for.

Talk to a Skilled Indianapolis Pavement Contractor

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial pavement repair and service in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Our licensed and qualified paving contractors provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete pavement repair and installation services at the most competitive prices in town, including crack filling, overlays, resurfacing, and sealcoating. Request a free estimate, today!