Asphalt is an affordable material with multiple advantages for homeowners, yet paving requires specialized equipment and labor. Asking the appropriate questions of your paving contractor will reduce miscommunication and help ensure you achieve the desired results. Uncover the best info about paving in Greensburg, PA.
Before beginning their asphalt installations, contractors install a subbase layer of load-bearing aggregate mixed with oil.
Cost
Asphalt paving costs can depend on several factors, including the type and space requirements of the driveway, additional features like color or stamping options, and regional factors. Homeowners should ask specific questions when getting an estimate to prevent miscommunication and save money.
Construction involves excavating and replacing an old surface with compacted asphalt at an estimated cost of $5 to $7 per square foot, plus any necessary demolition of previous driveways. It also involves clearing any tree stumps or rocky soil from the site.
New asphalt surfaces typically last 15-20 years, with proper care and sealing helping extend this timeframe. If they become worn over time, resurfacing can easily be completed, while regular maintenance and sealing help extend their life even further.
Asphalt is an inexpensive material with numerous advantages over concrete. Installation is quick and effortless for sloped or curved areas, providing more durable protection and superior skid resistance. It is also more cost-efficient and provides better skid protection.
Recycled asphalt driveways are environment-friendly and easy to maintain, so they have long been popular as residential driveways. Their noise absorption properties also make them excellent noise reducers, particularly helpful if the driveway is located close to living spaces like bedrooms or patios.
Durability
Asphalt driveway paving materials provide durability and smooth surfaces while being environmentally friendly, able to withstand heavy loads, and reducing traffic noise by 50% or more. To ensure the long-term reliability of pavement surfaces, professional installers must install your driveway correctly—otherwise, damage could occur down the line.
The type of asphalt used is also an integral component in the longevity of your driveway. There are various options, each offering different advantages and drawbacks: hot mix asphalt concrete is often preferred as its durability makes it suitable for high-traffic areas like roads and airport runways; porous asphalt absorbs moisture more slowly into the ground rather than running off onto its surface, making this option slightly more costly but potentially lasting longer than traditional pavement.
Maintaining an asphalt driveway regularly is vital to extending its lifespan and saving money over time. A professional paving contractor should inspect it every six months and make sure there is sufficient drainage. Water that pools on the surface can weaken it from below and lead to cracks or potholes; any issues identified should be repaired promptly, as this will save money over time.
Noise
Asphalt is an exceptionally versatile material for pavement projects of all kinds. It provides durability and strength against high volumes of traffic while remaining safe for pedestrians. Asphalt’s smooth surfaces reduce highway noise levels while keeping pedestrians safe on sidewalks.
Hot mix asphalt is the most commonly used form of pavement. When heated to between 270 and 325 degrees Fahrenheit, a black mixture forms, which is then spread onto roads. A typical mix may contain aggregates, cement, and stabilizing agents, making it an economical and attractive paving choice that boosts curb appeal.
Porous asphalt pavements offer another solution to noise pollution caused by tire-to-pavement contact, but clogging of the pavement’s pores could hinder this feature and decrease sound absorption ability.
Noise pollution from traffic can have significant adverse health and economic ramifications. Studies have demonstrated that exposure to loud noise levels can lead to fatigue, decrease productivity and efficiency, disrupt sleep patterns, and cause an increase in cortisol (a stress hormone), potentially leading to weight gain, increased blood pressure, or heart disease as a result of prolonged exposure.
Maintenance
An asphalt driveway will need regular upkeep for at least the first several years after its installation. Keep debris, leaves, and weeds off its surface as much as possible and regularly sweep it to extend its lifespan and avoid cracks or potholes from forming. This also enables early damage detection, which makes repair easier.
As well as traffic volume, it is also important to monitor other activities that might alter the quality of your pavement surface. Tire tracks and power steering scuffs from car tires can accelerate surface deterioration faster in high-traffic areas than it would with lower traffic volumes; installing barriers might prevent too many cars from entering and exiting too quickly from your driveway; using snow removal equipment on asphalt surfaces with de-icing chemicals could corrode its material and compromise its integrity.
Asphalt pavement requires regular sealcoating to preserve its appearance and protect it from sun rays, water, and road salts. Sealcoating will also increase traction on your driveway and lower the risk of potholes, car traffic, and freezing temperatures. Sealcoating should be applied every six months to avoid costly repairs in the future. Please remember that asphalt must first be dry and clean prior to sealcoating being applied, and refrain from performing maintenance work during wet or hot days!
