Tag Archives: asphalt

Top 5 Elements of a Quality Asphalt Driveway

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When it comes to asphalt driveways, whether for commercial or residential properties, there are five key elements that make or break their dependability and longevity. Specifically, for commercial properties, a good asphalt installation job is vital for several reasons. Not only does it make the investment worthwhile, it safeguards drivers and pedestrians that enter commercial premises because potholes and other road hazards are not present. And aesthetically speaking, good asphalt driveway installation is important so that a commercial business looks professional and prioritized.

Continue reading to learn what these five key elements are, and who to trust for quality asphalt concrete paving and installation services.

Commercial Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating in Indiana 317-549-1833
Commercial Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating in Indiana 317-549-1833

A Suitable Foundation

The first aspect to consider is the ground foundation. For proper driveway paving, there must be a solid sub-grade and a strong aggregate base. Often times, problems occur during paving projects like these because the sub-grade is not stabilized correctly. For example, if the ground is full of soft wet clay, a contractor must remove this clay or cover it with a durable stone base that will reinforce the ground surface. Failure to do any of the above methods can result in driveway buckling, cracking, crumbling, and ever-increasing deterioration.

Good Drainage

Water is the number one threat to asphalt and concrete pavement. So when it comes to asphalt driveways, proper drainage is absolutely crucial. Water must drain away from the edges of pavement, rather than collect or amass on top of it. If there is no slope to the pavement, water will not properly runoff the sides and away from the driveway. Water will seep into the pores or open crevices of asphalt and freeze, thaw, and expand the pavement overtime. This is what causes potholes, crumbling, and cracks.

Proper Supplies

If the wrong pavement mix is used to pave an asphalt driveway, problems are bound to ensure. Asphalt driveways are vulnerable to weathering and oxidation, so the right type of hot asphalt mix is vital. Although opinions differ among pavement companies and contractors as to which type of mix is best for such projects, driveway mixes should contain less air voids than highway mixes, but more binder. It should result in a finer aggregate finish to look smoother and darker.

Routine Maintenance

Once a driveway is paved and completed, the work is not done. Routine maintenance all year round is critical for all pavements to last. This includes a daily sweeping of debris, regular power washing, seal-coating, crack repair, and more. Consult a professional pavement contractor for advice on proper asphalt maintenance practices. Companies can even outsource these services.

Ethical Workmanship

It is highly important to hire a licensed, bonded, and insured pavement company for proper construction practices and ethical workmanship. Commercial companies that outsource such services want their providers to be liable for any defects or issue during the installation process. In addition, proper workmanship guarantees a proper job. Trained and experience paving contractors can provide this kind of work for commercial companies and more.

Professional Commercial Pavement Repair in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt pavement repair 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.

Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company
Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company 317-549-1833

Recommended Pavement Repairs for End of Summer

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The end of summer is already right around the corner, despite the debilitating heat wave we are currently experiencing in Indiana. Right now is the perfect time to start planning all of your fall seasonal maintenance lists, especially as a commercial property owner or tenant. Continue below to learn which recommended pavement repairs you should add to your seasonal to-do list this year, including where to get started with a free quote for commercial paving service.

Indianapolis Commercial Asphalt Repair and Paving
Indianapolis Commercial Asphalt Repair and Paving 317-549-1833

Common Asphalt Damage That Happens Over the Summer

Although most assume that winter is the harshest season affecting commercial pavements, but the truth is, every season poses certain threats of damage, wear, and tear. Summer is no different. There are many types of pavement damages that tend to occur over the summer season, from cracking and potholes, to faded blacktop, worn off paint, poor drainage, cracked bollards, and more.

The top pavement damages in the summer for asphalt lots and drives include:

☑ Chemical and Grease Stains
☑ Tire Marks
☑ Faded Blacktop
☑ Faded/Peeling Paint
☑Pavement Cracks
☑ Potholes
☑ Missing or Broken Signs
☑ Insufficient Water Drainage
☑ Crumbling Sewer Drains/Culverts
☑ Softening and Tempering
☑ Pitting and Deforming

What You Can Do to Fix Up and Protect Asphalt

Routine pavement maintenance is necessary in order to preserve the performance, safety, and overall value of your commercial lot. Before summer is over, hire a professional Indianapolis commercial pavement company to provide a full-service inspection. From there, they will identify all the vulnerable spots of your pavement, and make professional recommendations for repair and protection. One such service they will push is sealcoating. Asphalt sealcoating is perhaps the most important and effective preventive maintenance you can apply to your commercial lot. See our blog, “Frequently Asked Questions about Sealcoating” to learn more about the advantages of this common commercial pavement service.

Do Not Wait For Spring to Repair Asphalt Pavement

Following your professional asphalt inspection, your licensed paving contractors will make the necessary recommendations for repairs, and schedule them in upon your approval. It is important to have all pavement repairs done before the cooler season is upon us, even if they are minor. Once the snow and ice are here, pavement repair is more challenging, and sometimes not possible until temperatures are more agreeable. The problem with waiting to get small repairs completed is that they evolve into much large, more invasive repairs as time passes.

So, if your paving team recommends having certain areas of your asphalt lot repaired, it is wise to take their advice. That is, so long as they are a truly reputable and trusted Indiana paving company.

Commercial Asphalt Paving Contractors in Indianapolis, Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for commercial asphalt paving 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.

Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company
Indianapolis Pavement Repair Company 317-549-1833

Can I Cover Concrete With Asphalt?

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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.

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

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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
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.

Common Asphalt Problems That Should Be Repaired This Spring

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Now that the last freeze is likely behind us, commercial and large-scale lots that are paved will soon require some maintenance. This is especially true for asphalt pavements that have poor sealcoating, or none at all. In fact, asphalt experiences a lot of common problems this time of year, all of which should be addressed and resolved once spring is official in swing.

Continue reading to learn which types of asphalt problems are most expected this time of year, and what you should do if your asphalt pavements fit these descriptions.

Indianapolis Commercial Paving
Indianapolis Commercial Paving 317-549-1833

Cracking

There are various types of cracking that can develop in asphalt surfaces. Alligator cracks, block cracks, traverse cracks, and edge cracks are among the most common. Alligator cracking occurs when the subgrade, layers, or surface is either too weak or too thin to support the weight of traffic. You can easily identify alligator cracks because they form interconnecting lines in a pattern that literally resembles alligator skin.

Block cracks form in a pattern similar to alligator cracks, but on a much larger scale. Traverse cracking refers to cracks that form in the opposite direction of the pavement. Generally, underlying foundation weaknesses and cracks are to blame for traverse cracking, as well as extreme temperature changes. Edge cracks form along the edge of pavements as a result poor water drainage.

Potholes

Potholes are one of the most destructive road defects that can develop in asphalt pavement. They form mostly due to poor sealcoating or lack thereof, allowing water to seep deep down into the cracks and weaken the base soil underneath. Water then freezes and thaws several times, which further jeopardizes the ground level and solidity. As a result, the ground underneath expands, which causes the pavement to rise, then the water thaws, causing the ground to go back to normal. This cycle creates stability issues that eventually lead to crumbling pavement or crater holes.

Raveling and Rutting

Raveling is when pieces of asphalt begin to separate and form indentations in the surface of the pavement. It mostly occurs when asphalt is installed in weather that is too cold for proper curing. This is why it is important to hire a professional paving company for asphalt work. Rutting is form from traffic, and simply look like ruts, or wheel indents, in the road. Typically, this occurs when lower layers shift due to moisture permeation or poor surface quality.

Heaving and Depressions

Sinking and dipping can cause depressions in asphalt pavements, and be a result of several circumstances. Most often, soil erosion brought on by too much rainwater or precipitation over the winter season is to blame. As for heaving, raises and humps in asphalt are mostly caused by the expansion of clay-based soils beneath the concrete, which occurs from moisture accumulation.

Indianapolis Commercial Asphalt Repair You Can Trust

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for licensed, bonded, and insured 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 inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. Request a free quote, today.

Why is Asphalt a Popular Paving Material?

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Everywhere you look, you see asphalt paving; from roads, to walkways, interstates, and more. For decades, asphalt paving has been a useful and beneficial commodity that has improved the way cities, towns, people, and industries operate. So why is asphalt such a popular amenity and material in the paving construction industry? The answer is extensive, and can take all day! However, below is a short introduction that explains why asphalt among one of the top choices in the world of paving and construction today.

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833
Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

The Advantages of Asphalt

Asphalt is a composite material that is combined with mineral aggregates and used in various construction developments and industries around the world. Year after year, asphalt is becoming the more popular choice of paving for things like driveways, parking lots, interstates, walk ways, and more. There are so many benefits to asphalt and asphalt pavement. For example, asphalt paving is:

• Very Strong and Flexible
• Lifespan of Up to 20 or 30 Years
• Suitable for Both Hot and Cold Climates
• Can Be Handled Easily
• Less Likely to Crack and Fracture
• Cheaper than Alternative Materials
• Weather Resistant
• Water Resistant
• Chemical Resistance
• Requires Less Maintenance
• Faster to Lay and Install
• And More!

Indianapolis Asphalt Paving

If you are interested in Indianapolis asphalt paving services in for your commercial or industrial property, call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-849-1833 today. We offer a wide range of asphalt and concrete paving services for commercial and industrial properties, at the most competitive prices in town, including inspections, installation, replacement, repair, and more. Request a free quote, today.