The Quickest Ways to Improve the Look of Asphalt

With spring here and summer around the corner, we will be spending much more time outdoors. Whether you are a home or business owner, your paved asphalt surfaces will play a large role in property value, curb appeal, comfort, water runoff, and mostly importantly, safety. Maintaining the quality of your pavements is something that should be made a priority, not only to protect your investments, but also to abate liability. But not everyone has time for an asphalt overhaul. In this case, you can rely on some easy methods that can give your paved surfaces an instant upgrade.

If you wish to spruce up your asphalt pavements without the need for a large, invasive project, simply implement some of these more efficient options for asphalt restoration. Continue reading to learn the quickest way to improve the look, and even the performance, of your asphalt.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair
Indianapolis Asphalt Repair 317-549-1833

Fast and Effective Asphalt Enhancement

There are several services and do-it-yourself tasks you can implement to instantly improve the look and performance of your asphalt pavements. Here are some of the most recommended considerations to try this spring:

☑ Pavement Sweeping

For parking lots, lot sweeping services are great for eliminating the many layers of dirt, gravel, sand, and other solid debris veering your asphalt surfaces. You will be surprised to see how much of a difference this service can make in just one round.

☑ Weed Clearing

If your asphalt surfaces are tainted by weeds and other types of overgrowth, eliminating it will instantly improve the way your asphalt looks. This is also good for abating pests like bees, gnats, flies, and other insects. Use a safe, non-toxic weed killer to prevent future growth, and reapply as the manufacturer instructs.

☑ Sealcoating and Marking

To make your asphalt look new again, you can have a company provide professional sealcoating services. This will give the asphalt a rich, dark color that looks smooth and even. Follow sealcoating with new line striping and markings to really make your lot look great.

☑ Crack Repair

Although larger-scale damages, like potholes, alligator cracking, crumbling, and more, require professional repairs, you can implement some basic crack repair yourself to improve the appearance and performance of your lot. Crack filling can also help protect your asphalt against freeze thaw cycles, wear and tear, and similar affects. See our blog, “3 Types of Pavement Cracks and How to Fix Them” to learn more about crack repairs.

☑ Asphalt Pavement Maintenance and Repair

Although there is plenty you can do to restore and protect your asphalt surfaces, there are some things that should be left to a professional paver. Damages like surface warping, crumbling curbs, and large potholes should be repaired by a licensed and insured paving company.

Professional Asphalt Repair in Indianapolis

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt pavement repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our team of licensed and insured pavers provide a wide range of asphalt and concrete paving services for commercial, industrial, and municipal properties. Most importantly, we always offer our services at the right price for all commercial property owners and companies. Don’t choose a rookie asphalt company; instead, trust our licensed pavers to meet all your paving needs. Request a free estimate, today!

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

What is Asphalt Skin Patching?

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Asphalt skin patching is a short-term, economical pavement repair solution for small asphalt surfaces. It works by covering an isolated, damaged area of asphalt with new asphalt material. Once the new layer of asphalt is poured, it is compressed using specialized construction equipment, like vibratory rollers or vibra-tamping compactors. Asphalt skin patching is a great solution for many types of asphalt surfaces, including those with slurry seal and micro-surfacing.

Continue reading to learn more interesting facts about asphalt skin patching, and who to call for expert installation you can trust.

Short-Term Asphalt Repair

There are many signs that indicate an asphalt surface should be patched. These signs include potholes, crumbled pavement, alligator cracking, pooled water, stained pavement, and other forms of concentrated deterioration or corrosion. Skin patching is a great short-term solution for these kinds of asphalt damages, but keep in mind that it is not meant as a forever remedy. It is merely a cost-effective and efficient, short-term fix.

For instance, asphalt surfaces that are paved with flow lines experience more water pooling since flow lines are there to direct water drainage to curbs, wells, ditches, and ponds. Attempting to patch over conditions like these can raise the surface area, thus creating a dam effect. This just leads to excess standing water, pooling water, and poor drainage. Therefore, asphalt skin patching would only be a quick-fix for this example.

Asphalt Repair Options

When it comes to asphalt damage, there are several workable solutions to choose from. The type of asphalt repair you need depends on a long list of factors that your licensed paver will know very well. Be sure to consult your Indianapolis asphalt repair contractor for answers to your asphalt repair questions and concerns.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc. at 317-549-1833 for affordable asphalt repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Lindsey Lewis, retains a highly trained, licensed, bonded, and insured team of paving contractors who are fully-equipped to undertake any commercial pavement project, regardless of size or scope. We offer repairs, replacements, seal coating, winter patching, and much more. Call 317-549-1833 to request an estimate, today.

The 3 Components to Pavement Preservation

Any asset of value requires a certain degree of maintenance to preserve its worth, function, or appeal. And asphalt pavement is no different. Without the proper care, asphalt can deteriorate and fade over time. To prevent losing on your investment, it is wise to establish an effective preservation program for your asphalt pavements.
Continue reading to learn the 3 most important components to preserving pavement.

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Asphalt Concrete Paving 317-549-1833

Preventative Maintenance

The first step toward preserving asphalt is preventative maintenance. Asphalt hardens the more it is exposed to air. In order to keep asphalt from hardening, and eventually deteriorating, it is necessary to reduce the amount of air exposure and circulation. A seal coat does the trick. Proper sealcoating can drastically increase the life and strength of asphalt pavement by providing an extra layer of protection against natural wear and tear, as well as, traffic, inclement weather, stains, and more.

Routine Maintenance

The second part of proper pavement preservation is simple routine maintenance. This includes daily debris removal, trash pickup, occasional sweeping, proper seasonal salting, snow and ice removal, and more. Talk to your local asphalt pavement contractor for advice on routine asphalt maintenance.

Minor Repairs

Making minor repairs as they come is the third most important component to preserving the function and quality of asphalt pavement. This includes crack sealing, crack filling, pothole repair, and much more. A licensed and insured pavement repair company is your best bet for quality service at an affordable price.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair and Maintenance

Asphalt & Concrete Service 317-549-1833

Asphalt & Concrete Service 317-549-1833

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc. at 317-549-1833 for information about commercial pavement repair in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Owner Lindsey Lewis, and his team of licensed, bonded, and insured pavers, have decades of experience and come fully-equipped to get the job done right the first time, every time. Call 317-549-1833 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis asphalt repair and maintenance, today.

Thicker is Not Better When it Comes to Asphalt Sealer

Without a sealcoat, your pavement will quickly become dry and brittle, which will eventually result in cracks, crumbling pavement, discoloration, and many other damages. Sealcoating asphalt pavement costs pennies per square-foot, yet repairing asphalt pavement costs dollar per square-foot. So you can see that preventative maintenance is more cost-effective. Continue reading to learn how to properly assess your sealcoating needs, and why thicker sealcoat does not necessarily mean it is better.

Commercial Sealcoating 317-549-1833
Commercial Sealcoating 317-549-1833

Sealcoating Benefits

A paved driveway or parking lot is an important investment. And in order to maintain and protect your investment, routine asphalt care is required. One part of routine asphalt maintenance is sealcoating. Sealcoating delivers an attractive, crisp look, and is a critical component to preserving the function and stability of asphalt pavements. Not only does regular sealcoating protect against water penetration, it also protects against sun damage and chemical erosion.

More Reasons to Seal Coat:

• Prevents Water Penetration
• Protects Against Harmful UV-Rays
• Resistant to Oil and Chemical Spills
• Protects Against Premature Cracking and Erosion
• Enhances Appearance
• Increase Longevity and Stability

Although sealcoating is the right choice for your asphalt pavement, choosing to sealcoat is only half the process. For the best results, you must also ensure that the sealcoating work is carried out correctly. Improper sealcoating is one of the most common issues behind failing asphalt pavement. And one of the most common mistakes made during the sealcoating process is using too much product.

When it comes to sealcoat, thicker is never better. In fact, it is a bad idea. You can tell when pavement has excessive layers of sealcoat if it looks like it has no texture at all, and asphalt should always have texture. If it’s too smooth and has no visible dynamic, then the pavement is over-sealed. Not only does too much sealcoat take too long to cure, it doesn’t cure properly, resulting in unevenness and irregularity. It can also lead to surface cracks and track marks.

Commercial Sealcoating Services in Indianapolis

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt sealcoating in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. 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.

What Causes Fatigued Cracking in Asphalt?

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. There are several reasons why asphalt pavement can be affected and damaged in this way, all of which involving inadequate structural support.

Continue reading to learn more about fatigue cracking in pavement, and who to call for professional paving repair service you can trust.

Indianapolis Asphalt Repair
Indianapolis Asphalt Repair 317-549-1833

Thin Pavements

In thinner pavement, the bottom of an HMA layer is where the flexible stress is the highest. Fracturing begins here, and then spreads to the surface in the form of longitudinal cracks. This type of cracking is also known as “classical” or “bottom-up” fatigue cracking.

Thick Pavements

In thicker pavements, the top layers have the highest tensile stress levels due to tire activity, asphalt-binder aging, and other types of wear and tear. For this reason, fatigued cracking usually begins at the top. This form of fatigued cracking is called “top-down” cracking.

Causes

As mentioned, inadequate structural support is the umbrella cause for fatigued asphalt cracking. Inadequate construction, structural design, compaction, drainage, and more are just a few common examples that lead to the formation of fatigue cracks. Other possible causes include a decrease in sub-grade support or base stability from water infiltration and freeze-thaw cycles. It can also occur from improper stripping on the bottom HMA layers.

Solutions

The formation of fatigued cracking is unique and easily distinguishable. Many agree it somewhat takes on the appearance of alligator skin or distressed leather. To be sure, it is important to have a professional paver assess the cracking in your asphalt pavement to accurately diagnose the damage, identify the cause, and implement safe and effective solutions. This process involves digging a hole or pit to evaluate the structural makeup of the pavement. This method also helps determine if subsurface moisture is contributing issue. Fatigued cracks cannot simply be sealed as a means of repair. Instead, they must be patched or overlaid, depending on their size.

Commercial Asphalt Maintenance and Repair in Indiana

Call ACI Asphalt and Concrete at 317-549-1833 for professional asphalt maintenance and repair in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding locations. 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 Crack Sealing and Crack Filling

All asphalt pavements will eventually require some sort of restoration, repair, or maintenance. This includes crack repair. But there is more than one way to treat cracks in asphalt pavement, and many people confuse them for one another. Cracks in asphalt pavement can either be sealed or filled, depending on several variables. Many people confuse the two terms as being the same task, when in fact, they are two separate methods to crack repair. It is important to understand their differences to accurately match the most effective and durable crack treatment.

Continue reading to learn the difference between crack filling and sealing, and when to use one over the other.

Indianapolis Concrete Repair 317-549-1833
Indianapolis Concrete Repair 317-549-1833

Working Cracks

In order to understand the methods behind crack sealing and filling, you need to know what the term, “working cracks” refers to. 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. The method of crack repair that should be used largely depends on the movement criteria of a crack.

Crack Filling

Non-working cracks, crack movements less than 2.5 millimeters, are better repaired using the crack filling method. During this process, specially-manufactured non-rubberized materials are placed within non-working cracks. Examples of such material includes crumb rubber, asphalt emulsion, AC-3, and more. This not only reinforces the pavement, it also drastically reduces water infiltration which can cause cracks to expand. Generally, longitudinal cracks are the most common types of non-working cracks, but in some cases, diagonal cracks and block cracks fit into the
non-working category as well.

Crack Sealing

Crack sealing is a method of crack repair for working cracks, like transverse cracks. In this process, special material is applied on top of, or above, working cracks, not inside. It is applied in a unique configuration to give the pavement less permeability, stopping water infiltration, salt, and other debris. Just like crack fillers, crack sealants are also rubberized products. These bend, stretch, and flex along with the surrounding pavement’s movement, preventing further cracking.

So in short, if you have cracks that are not really moving or expanding, then crack filling is the right treatment for your pavement. But if your cracks are in motion, then you will need to think about crack sealing services instead.

ACI Asphalt and Concrete Inc.

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

Facts about Permeable Pavement

When it comes to commercial properties and complexes, choosing the right type of pavement is vital for a successful and effective paving job. Sub-par paving projects are almost always accompanied by undesirable consequences; such as poor drainage, cracking, crumbling, and expensive repairs or replacements. Rather than concrete or cement, it is suggested that porous asphalt is the right fit for commercial pavement projects.

Continue reading to learn more about permeable asphalt, porous pavements, and who to call for accurate and honest industry advice.

Indianapolis Asphalt Installation and Repair
Indianapolis Asphalt Installation and Repair 317-549-1833

Porous Asphalt Pavement

Porous asphalt is referred to by several names; such as permeable pavement, permeable asphalt, porous asphalt, and pervious asphalt. Now that you are familiar with the variety of titles for porous asphalt pavement, you can easily follow along when reading about their advantages. Pervious asphalt and regular asphalt are very much the same; however, they have one significant difference. This difference is the presence or lack of fine aggregate. You see, permeable asphalt lacks this fine aggregate material fund in common asphalt pavement. This small, yet significant, difference can make or break a paving project.

The main advantage and primary reason why porous asphalt is a suggested option for certain commercial paving projects is its permeable characteristics. Pervious asphalt allows water to flow right through, and into the ground beneath. It retains small channels and tubular avenues that allows this to take place. The benefit of this is so water cannot accumulate and buildup on the surface of asphalt pavement. This means less water accumulation and puddles in parking lots and streets. It also prevents damaging water run-off and flooding.

Not only can water pass through porous asphalt, this channeling system also filters undesirable and harmful materials as well. Oil, grease, residues, and more are swept up by channeling water, and pushed through the pores of the asphalt. This leaves the surface cleaner and retains proper traction. It also greatly reduces general wear and tear, ultimately protecting your investment.

Asphalt Paving in Indianapolis, Indiana

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