Tag Archives: commercial asphalt paving

What Should a Paving Estimate Include?

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Spring is a great time to implement necessary upgrades to your commercial property. And this time of year, one of the most outsourced services is commercial pavement repair. Whether you need to fill a few potentially-problematic cracks, or need to resurface your pavement altogether, you will be certain to receive a written estimate from the company of your choosing.

Continue reading to learn the primary parts of a paving estimate, and how to understand them all.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair 317-549-1833
Indianapolis Pavement Repair 317-549-1833

Asphalt Paving Estimates

When you hire a paving company to assess and service your asphalt pavement, you will receive an estimate. Sometimes, depending on the company, this is a free estimate, but most often because of the work and labor involved, estimates are not free, but they are also not unreasonably priced either (or at least they shouldn’t be). Whether free or not, and estimate should have certain key points for the client. This includes an on-site inspection, review of needed services, water drainage information, materials, and referrals.

On-Site Inspection – A paving company should never just provide a dry estimate for general paving repair and service. They should also provide on-site inspections to accurately gauge a property’s needs and suggest effective solutions. In terms of an estimate, this service should always come first.

Service Needs – Once a paving contractor has inspected your pavement, they will use their industry acumen and experience to make professional suggestions for needed repairs or services. This may include resurfacing, crack-filling, pot hole repair, seal coating, and more. The estimate should outline all of these recommended services with cost-estimates for each beside them.

Water Drainage – When it comes to paving, water drainage is one of the most vital aspects to address. Proper water drainage is critical to the longevity and structural integrity of your asphalt. A good paving company always reviews and addresses water drainage needs or issues, and provides this information on the final estimate.

Required Materials – Every paving job requires a certain set of materials. Depending on the project, different materials will be needed. Driveways and parking lots might not use the same type of asphalt or sealcoat, so the estimate should reflect these recommendations and the prices of each.

Referrals – A good paving company will also provide a list of referrals on your estimate in the case that you wish to get a second professional opinion. If they are confident in their services and have integrity, they will be happy to provide referrals so that you can get another estimate and compare the two.

Aside from paving estimates, a trusted Indianapolis pavement company should always provide dependable customer service and support, and follow up with all their clients after an estimate is provided. This shows that they are professional and keep track of their client’s needs and requests. In a follow up, they should be happy to answer any additional questions a client like yourself may have.

Indianapolis Pavement Repair Professionals

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

The Difference Between Hot Asphalt and Warm Asphalt Mix

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Asphalt is a highly-beneficial paving material that can be used in various applications within the construction industry. There are several types of asphalt mixes, including hot mix asphalt (HMA), warm mix asphalt (WMA), cold mix asphalt, cut-back asphalt concrete, mastic asphalt concrete, and variations of them all. By customizing aggregate material composition, binders, and more, contractors can achieve the proper asphalt pavement mix needed for the job. In this blog, we will discuss the principle differences between the two most popular forms of asphalt: HMA and WMA.

Continue reading to learn more about hot mix asphalt and warm mix asphalt, and what makes them so different.

Commercial & Industrial Paving Contractors
Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Hot Mix Asphalt

Hot mix asphalt is just that: hot. It is poured at a high temperature of 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and is only applied when outdoor temperatures exceed 40 degrees Fahrenheit because it cools so rapidly. In the United States, it is the most common method of asphalt paving used for high-traffic pavements like highways, roads, interstates, and more. This is largely due to its advantageous qualities. Hot mix asphalt is water and weather resistant, flexible, and environmentally-friendly. Interesting uses for HMA includes environmental liners for places like reservoirs, landfills, and fish hatchery ponds.

Warm Mix Asphalt

Warm mix asphalt is manufactured and shipped at lower temperatures, usually between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and it has a slower cooling rate than HMA. This means it can be used in colder seasons or climates for road, highway, and interstate construction. For the same reason, it can be shipped long distances as well. WMA is used in roughly 30 percent of paving projects around the country because of its slow cooling rate, versatility, environmental benefits, and health benefits for workers. Since WMA is poured at lower temperatures, it reduces the amount of dust, smoke, and fumes created when applying HMA. This is safer for workers as well as the surrounding environment. It is also a wise choice for paving in tunnels, especially on a poor air quality day!

Indianapolis Asphalt and Concrete Paving Services

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

Ditch the Gravel and Choose Asphalt for Driveway Installation!

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Many homeowners go back and forth between the pros and cons of gravel driveways. In this blog, you will learn why you should just ditch the idea of gravel driveways, and choose asphalt pavement instead! Continue reading to review some facts about gravel driveways and roads that will paint an unappealing picture compared to the benefits of asphalt driveways.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair 317-549-1833
Indianapolis Asphalt Repair 317-549-1833

Gravel Driveways

Let’s talk gravel for a moment. It is, after all, the most widely-used material for residential driveways in the country! But this doesn’t mean it is the best option for driveway installation. You see, gravel is cheap. In fact, it is the cheapest and easiest option for driveways. This is why many homeowners with second homes or homes with extremely long driveways have opted for gravel. It is an instant “face-lift” for a property with a dirt driveway. And it can be used almost immediately after installation. Yes, these are a few advantages of gravel, but again, these advantages do not make gravel a good choice for driveways.

Here’s why gravel is not so great for residential driveway installation:

Snow and Ice Cause Problems. Removing snow and ice from gravel driveways is not an easy, or even 100% possible, task. Not only does the act of physically removing snow from gravel disturb the placement and elevation of the rock, it is back-breaking work. It can cause sinkholes and more in certain areas of the driveway that are equally as hazardous as potholes in the street. Sand and salt are the only practical options for snow and ice removal on gravel, and this could be an environmental concern for some.

Elevation Issues and Sinkholes. Sinkholes and dips in gravel form overtime from standard wear and tear. Not only does this require routine gravel re-fills and raking, it means that there is an increased chance of tire and vehicular damage, as well as, pedestrian injuries. Gravel is not always a safe walking platform. If not properly raked and filled, loose gravel can cause cosmetic damages to vehicles, like dents, scratches, nicks, and more. And it can also clog certain areas of a vehicle’s undercarriage.

Dust and Dirt. Especially in the warmer months when the ground tends to be drier, gravel driveways can lead to an abundance of dust, dirt, and debris in the surrounding air. This dander is spread and lifted even more when vehicles drive on the gravel. You can expect the exterior of your home to be dusty, as well as, all exterior commodities, like porch swings, furniture, lawn décor, and more. This certainly increases your personal power washing duties each year!

Poor Appearance. Gravel, if not artistically raked everyday, will retain tire marks and more. This doesn’t look pretty. And even with a grid installed beneath, weeds and grass can eventually grow upwards and through the gravel if the grid cracks; also not very pretty. It can make a home or property appear less refined and modern, thus reducing the property’s perceived value.

Learn why asphalt is a good choice for driveways, and decide for yourself which is a better fit for your home and property. Contact a local pavement contractor for answers to your driveway installation questions and more.

ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc.

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt paving 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 bids and consultations, flexible scheduling, references upon request, and more. Best of all, our work is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rest assure that your investment is sound. Request a free quote, today.

The Few Occasions When Mixing Concrete and Asphalt is Okay

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Which material is better for building, concrete or asphalt? This is one of the most common and reoccurring arguments in the paving industry. Various debates, discussions, online forums, and lunchtime conversations have risen over and over again about this very topic. You can also endlessly debate whether or not concrete is better than asphalt or vice versa; or you can ask yourself how to get the best of both worlds. That’s right; there are times when it can be useful combining asphalt and concrete paving to get superior results.

Continue reading and catch up on three examples in which contractors can use both concrete and asphalt for paving construction.

Commercial Pavement Repair
Commercial Pavement Repair 317-549-1833

Paving with Asphalt and Concrete

Paved asphalt for smaller cars and trucks can be damaged by larger vehicles and cargoes. Alligator cracking, large fissures, splintering, and crumbling can begin to appear once asphalt paving has become compromised by heavy vehicular traffic. It can be very expensive and time-consuming to repair or replace asphalt paving, so finding additional cost-effective alternatives can be helpful. One cost-effective solution to this problem is installing concrete reinforcement pads. They are installed on top of asphalt pavement. Their main purpose is to absorb the weight that leads to cracking and breakage. For commercial properties, they are generally placed in front of dumpster pads and loading docks where heavy vehicles frequently park or drive.

Another instance where using both asphalt and concrete comes in handy has to do with asphalt protection. Curbs and edges are seen all over the state, but very few acknowledge their purpose. Concrete curbs are frequently installed at the edges of asphalt paved roads in order to protect their base. Concrete curbs and edges provide two types of protection; water protection and damage control.

As for water, it can seep into the base of asphalt pavements. This weakens the structure overtime, causing more damage and need for costly repair work. Curbs stop this water leakage from occurring, reducing the amount of deterioration in the base of the asphalt. Curbs also protect the edges of asphalt paving from overexposure to weight and traffic. Edges are more vulnerable to damage and crumbling. To eliminate this threat, curbs are installed to cover and protect these edges from parking and traffic alike.

Using concrete for the base of an asphalt lay has great advantages. Contractors can choose to use a pure concrete base, or a custom asphalt-concrete base mix. It provides additional support for heavy traffic and vehicles at an affordable cost.

Indianapolis Asphalt and Concrete Paving Services

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete today at 317-549-1833 for information and estimates regarding industrial and commercial paving services 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.