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New construction paving and  site-development

• This type of paving requires engineering, design and usually blueprints that layout the site, and detailed specifications required to complete the project. Most new construction starts with a plan upon which all phases of construction will be based and bid. The plan will include all specifications of mixes and materials required, permits, surveys, and a detailed site plan. The paving work will generally require prior excavation and grading of the site to prepare for installation of all base gravel. The subgrade conditions will be checked and verified at all phases. Once all subgrade and base conditions are installed the paving will start. This requires installation of base asphalt followed by an additional layer of surface asphalt.

Complete paving re-construction

• This type of paving requires excavation of deteriorated asphalt and installation of new. Excavation can be performed with many different types of equipment including, skidsteers, backhoes, front-end loaders, etc. This excavation process can also be done by milling or pulverizing the existing asphalt and hauling it off site. In most cases the asphalt is removed from site by loading it into dump trucks which haul it to an asphalt plant where it is stockpiled and later recycled into new asphalt material. This process may be required if the current conditions are severe enough that new asphalt cannot be installed over existing or if there is obvious subgrade failure. All subgrades can be verified and corrected after excavation of asphalt is completed. Paving or resurfacing can be started once all basework has been checked, regraded and compacted. This requires a proof roll to check for softness and if necessary, additional gravel installed to strengthen. Paving for commercial applications is generally installed in separate lifts consisting of #301 base asphalt and #404 or #402 surface asphalt. These lifts or layers are installed using a machine called a paver which lays the material down on the prepared base. The paver is operated by workers who set the proper depth of asphalt and drive it as the asphalt is supplied from dump trucks. The material is dumped into the hopper which mechanically feeds it through and out the bottom of the machine. Skilled workers will rake areas as needed and roll the asphalt to compact it to the proper density. This process requires teamwork and several skilled operators who must constantly work in sync with one another to achieve a smooth continuous finished job.

Overlay resurfacing re-cap

• Similar to the paving as detailed above, this method typically only requires one layer of asphalt installed. The surface asphalt is laid over existing pavement. There is usually a lot less excavation required. Typically only at adjoining surfaces the asphalt is removed or milled down to allow for level transitions after resurfacing. This minimal excavation can be completed by machines which can cut out, mill or grind the old surface. The material is swept up, loaded, and hauled from the site. The existing pavement can be thoroughly cleaned and in most cases a liquid binder known as tack is applied to the surface. This tack will help with the adhesion of the new asphalt material being installed. The average overlay resurfacing project is put down at 2? in depth and if necessary a level course can be installed prior to even out any low spots. As with all contractor paving, the existing pavement should be checked for any failures or damage and corrected as needed, prior to resurfacing.

What is the cost of paving a new asphalt driveway vs. concrete?

The cost will vary depending upon the size of the job, location, and type of concrete you want. Generally concrete costs will run about 2 times higher than asphalt to install. The excavation costs are also greater to remove old concrete surfaces. How long will it take to pave my driveway? Do I need to do anything to prepare?

• Most driveways can be excavated, asphalt hauled from site, and additional base added in one working day. After this is complete, paving can start. Depending on the size of the job and location, it may be accomplished in one full day. Weather can also play a factor in scheduling. Ask your contractor what he needs from you. In most cases your garage door may need to be open for equipment access and a water source should be available to cool.

How long will I have to stay off the new driveway?

• New asphalt does require time to set up or “cure”. This process naturally occurs over time as the material dries and solidifies. Most paving contractors will advise you to keep cars off for a minimum of 3 days or longer, in hot weather. It is advisable to keep a close eye on new asphalt to eliminate any tire marking or indentations. Scarring can occur by turning around in tight areas and turning your steering wheel when your car isn’t moving. It is advisable not to park your car in the same spot every time to avoid indentations. Also all heavy or sharp objects such as kickstands, lawn chairs, tongue jacks on trailers, and even high heals should avoid the asphalt until it has time to cure. Remember, the edges of your driveway are the weakest part due to lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges as they will crack and crumble in time.

Are there any benefits to sealing or sealcoating my driveway?

• Without a doubt any untreated asphalt will reach a point of drying out. At this time it is a good choice to apply a quality sealant to the pavement. Not only will it prolong the life of the asphalt, but it will aesthetically enhance the look of the pavement and your exterior landscape. In addition, it will protect your driveway from water, oil, fuel, oxidation from the sun, and other harmful elements. The benefits of proper care and maintenance can save you a lot of money in the future.

posted in Residential | Edit | 0 Comments17th March 2008

Looking for Pavement information in the Cincinnati area. Pavement Made Easy .com was developed with the purpose of providing useful paving information to the greater Cincinnati area. When you are looking to repair and maintain your investment in Asphalt, Blacktop or Concrete, or sealcoating information, come back to our site to find updated helpful information so that you can make the most informed decision possible. In greater Cincinnati . . .Welcome to Pavement Made Easy. Please go to our Home page and you can search for the topic you are most interested in today ! More Coming weekly or even daily!

The ultimate place to unwind, enjoy, and relax is your own backyard. Whether you enjoy having that early morning cup of coffee or just relaxing in the sun, a well laid-out patio is the way to go. Like a vacation in your own backyard, the comfort of stepping outside to enjoy your one of a kind backyard oasis is a luxury you can experience.Most homes have the original square builder installed patio. A small postage stamp type layout in concrete or wood decking. You now have thousands of options when it comes to designing your extended living space. Study your landscape and visualize what you will be doing in regards to entertaining, grilling, or just relaxing after a long day at work.Start by drawing some rough plans and ideas of what you’d like your backyard oasis to look like. Cut out pictures and research online. Your patio needs to be proportionate to your backyard. It should incorporate your landscape and your family’s needs. Most of all it needs to increase your property value and add to your quality of life!The next decision is choosing what surface you like. The following paving materials are only some options available:

• Natural stone. Imported exotics or native to your region. Irregular, split or cut stone.
• Paverblock. Interlocking concrete pavers in many different colors, patterns, and sizes.
• Concrete. Standard concrete with tooled joints and edges. Several finishes available.
• Colored concrete. Offers a variety of color options and multiple designs with contrasting colors.
• Stamped concrete. Unlimited design options with many paving patterns and colors.

The custom design choices and options are endless. Whether a combination of materials, colors or patterns……creativity is key! Add a hot tub, wetbar, sportcourt, firepit, built-in-grill, fountain or a pond. Ultimately the choice for paving is yours.Early spring is the best time to start your project. You will enjoy the finished product all season long. Most of all you can have the patio of your dreams right outside your door!

Blacktop “Goes Green” as America’s Biggest Recycling Effort

If you took a poll and asked “What product has the highest recycling rate in the United States?”, chances are very likely that you would not hear the word “asphalt”. However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Highway Administration, about 90 million tons of asphalt pavement is reclaimed each year, and over 80 percent of that total is recycled. This means that all the asphalt pavement removed each year during widening and resurfacing projects is reused as part of new roads, driveways, parking lots and walkpaths. In contrast, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the recycling rates are 60% for aluminum cans, 56% for newsprint, 37% for plastic soft drink bottles, 31% for glass beverage bottles and 23% for magazines. Relatively few people outside the pavement industry know the extent of asphalt pavement recycling.In a survey commissioned by the National Asphalt Pavement Association, Americans ranked asphalt pavement as being recycled the least among these other nine materials: aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, rubber, steel, wood and yard waste. Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) can be recycled into pavement that is as high, or even higher in quality as pavements made of all-virgin materials. In fact, it reuses the most costly part of the pavement, the asphalt cement, in the same way it was originally used – it is the glue that holds the pavement together and when recycled, retains it ability to function as the glue or cement. Asphalt can be excavated or milled then taken to an asphalt plant where they are stockpiled, crushed and graded. The aggregates (rocks, sand, and gravel) in the original pavement are also conserved. Many pavements that are more than 20 years old are actually worth more now than they were when originally constructed. When Americans drive by these plants they see along highways and city streets, the seldom realize that they are witnessing a part of our country’s biggest recycling effort!It’s estimated that recycling of asphalt pavements saves the American taxpayer $1.8 billion per year. It also saves hundreds of acres of landfill space each year. For the asphalt pavement industry already to have an 80 percent recycling rate is quite impressive. It is considered a “perpetual pavement” because of its recycle-abilities and reuse characteristics. When layers of base asphalt can be saved by removing and resurfacing the surface layers it saves time and money. New developments over the past 30 years have given asphalt increased uses. Pavements today are engineered for greater durability, enhanced skid resistance and an overall smoother ride. Where would we be without the black stuff we call asphalt? We walk, drive, cycle, and play sports on it everyday. Aircraft land on it!

Pavement contractor, Doug Rogers, owner of Rogers Pavement Maintenance in Cincinnati, OH, is a strong advocate for recycling and conserving resources. “It’s important to me and my company that we take these measures to recycle and try to save our valuable natural resources.” Doug adds, “ I’m also a concerned parent who wants my kids and those of future generations to be able to enjoy our planet and all it has to offer.” Doug also notes that not only does his company recycle asphalt material, but also uses recycled gravel. “We have the option of buying recycled gravel, which is old concrete ground up to meet all the same specifications as crushed limestone base gravel. This eliminates strip mining at gravel pits and further disturbance of our land”.

As you can see, the recycling of asphalt materials has both economic and environmental benefits for taxpayers and concerned citizens. For more information on asphalt recycling efforts, please visit www.rogerspavement.com