Asphalt Paving and Sealcoat  Blog

Replace Asphalt...Really? New Idea: Solar Roads

I just want to share a video I came across on Youtube today. What do you think about turning our roads into a power grid? This idea would create jobs and no doubt improve the roads we are driving on. 

Click here to watch this asphalt solar road video on Youtube. Let me know your thoughts. Would you vote for this?

Fabric Asphalt Trench Overlay

Here is a recent trench we completed in Newark, CA on Cedar Blvd. Check out the quick video shot of our crew working.

 

 

Common Misconceptions about Asphalt

We all have certain misconceptions that we've heard over time, read on a blog, seen on TV, or just believed we had reliable information. I'd like to address some common misconceptions about asphalt, and the paving industry, that I've heard before.

Misconception 1: There shouldn't be any rocks showing in the asphalt.

When asphalt is made it has a few ingredients in it. It has crushed rocks and a mix of petroleum composites that are produced in oil refineries. The asphalt ingredients are heated up and then mix together. After the asphalt is placed on the ground, it can be different sizes. Typical rocks in asphalt are ¾ inch, some are ½ inch, and some are 3/8 inch. The different sizes will obviously have different appearance once it is spread and compacted. Because concrete usually has high sand and water content and is smoothed with a steel trowel it is a smooth surface appearance.

Misconception 2: Asphalt should be like concrete.

Some consider that most pavement surfaces are alike, when in reality they are made with different mixtures, ingredients, chemicals, and rocks. Asphalt is petroleum based and concrete is water based. There are different installation procedures, various equipment used, and concrete is more labor intensive than asphalt.

Misconception 3: The black top asphalt color will come off on my shoes?

Some people think that because it's hot, black, and looks like clay sometimes, that it will cling to your shoes. Asphalt, once installed and compacted should not get on your shoes. Seal coat, however when freshly applied will get on your shoes, so don't walk on it for 24 hours.

Misconception 4:Paving contractors always try to give you a change order.

We have been in business more than 20 years and the jobs that have kept us in business are not from change orders. The times a change order arrises into the project is when an unforeseen problem develops that was not part of the original scope of work. Paving contractors do not create the change orders, the issue that comes about as a surprise to everyone creates the change order. We are in business for the long term, not to make a quick dollar on a change order. We use high quality materials, well-trained employees, and well-maintained equipment and we are considered by current and previous customers as a reputable contractor. Feel free to read some testimonials.

Of course many misconceptions arise when expectations are unclear. To learn more visit www.hotmix.org

COMMON ASPHALT PROBLEMS part1

Cracking Repairable with Sealant or Fill

Asphalt cracks that form in the pavement surface can allow many harmful substances - including water, salts and engine oils - into the base and subgrade, effectively leading to the failure of the pavement surface. There are many types of asphalt cracking and many causes for these differing problems. In many cases, cracks develop because of the expansion or contraction of the base or subgrade or because of voids that form between the layers or courses of pavement. These cracks can form randomly or in the following specific forms. In all cases, if repaired while still within ¼" to ½", these cracks are easily repaired and maintained.

Transverse cracking

Transverse cracking, or cracks that occur across the pavement surface about perpendicular to the parking lot center, are often caused by the asphalt expansion and contraction due to temperature changes and or this movement due to asphalt aging. Initially, these cracks will be relatively equally spaced depending on traffic but will eventually become more prevalent in the parking lot or roadway. In some cases, as these cracks become more prevalent, block cracking forms where the Transverse cracks develop into squares throughout the pavement.
Also, these cracks may extend either entirely or partially across the pavement area or roadway.
Transverse cracks begin as "hairline" cracks - or cracks up to ¼" wide - but will widen to ½" or wider with age and lack of proper repair. Because these cracks are allowing water into the pavement base and subgrade, lack of proper asphalt repair or maintenance will lead to more cracks developing parallel to the original transverse cracking. If not properly repaired, these transverse asphalt cracks will be appear with greater prevalence and the cracks will become wider; eventually, the cracks will be so prevalent that entire areas will be broken or "alligatored" (see Alligatoring section) leading to a more serious, cutting and patching asphalt repair.

Next we'll cover longitudinal asphalt cracking... 

Source: U.S.Pavement Services 

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Life-Cycle Costs Benefits

• Reduces costs for initial construction.
• Requires less maintenance over the life of the pavement.
• Repaired and maintained cost-effectively with HMA overlays instead of complete removal and reconstruction with concrete.
• When maintenance is needed, HMA offers the widest variety of alternatives geared to solve the precise problems on the surface.
• Can be overlaid to add structural capacity to account for increased traffic loading. 
• Eliminates the need for costly reinforcing materials, which are subject to corrosion, which lead to more frequent and more costly repairs. 
• Properly designed and constructed HMA pavements will last 50 years or more with occasional resurfacing, relieving road agencies of the need for costly, time-consuming and disruptive reconstruction. 
• HMA can be recycled (milled and replaced along with fresh materials), saving dollars and preserving nonrenewable natural resources.

The Benefits of Seal Coating

When it comes to protecting your asphalt pavements against deterioration. There is no greater value than a correctly applied emulsion. Sealcoating substantially reduces maintenance costs and at the same time extends the life of asphalt pavements by as much as 300%. The cost of sealcoating is truly a minor expense when compared to the cost of pavement replacement.

A few of the benefits of sealcoating: 

Appearance
The dark charcoal black color of newly applied pavement sealer improves the appearance of new and old asphalt pavements. Unprotected asphalt surfaces gradually lose their rich black color due to oxidation and weathering. We can preserve the smoothness and resilience of asphalt surfaces and help hide rough spots, small cracks, patches and some surface depressions. Pavements coated with a pavement sealer look cleaner because rainfall washes dirt and debris easily from the smooth, non-porous surface. Traffic lines become more visible.

Stops Oxidation
Actinic rays in sunlight can oxidize the Asphalt oils in pavement, causing brittleness and resulting loss of aggregates which may rob up to 50% of the original asphalt thickness in just five years. A pavement sealcoated will resist oxidative degradation and retain its value.

Reduces Costs & Increases Value
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates it deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.

Resists Fuel Penetration
Resists gas, oil, salt and chemical penetration. Asphalt is a petroleum derivative, soluble in distillates such as gas, jet fuel and oil drippings. Sealcoating prevents damage from distillates and chemicals.

Prevents Water Penetration
The intrusion of moisture into asphalt pavement structure accelerates its deterioration and is strongly related to pavement distress. The sealing of well-cured asphalt prevents the seepage of moisture from snow and rain, thus preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles.

Protection
We only use the best OVERKOTE sealer that is specifically designed to protect bituminous pavements. It forms a tough, durable and flexible coating that protects asphalt pavements from the damaging elements of weather, water, salts, gas and other petro-chemicals.

Application
Asphalt sealer must be applied to structurally sound pavements by experienced applicators. Asphalt pavement should be protected by two coats; however, the quantities and coverage rates must conform to manufacturer's detailed specifications. Average coverage rates are 0.18 to .20 undiluted gallons per square yard. A latex rubber additive and silica sand may be added for increased traction and durability.

You can trust ALANIZ CONSTRUCTION to maintain and custom blend only the best possible mixture of sealer to meet the specific need for you pavement. We usually recommend a one (1) or two (2) coat squeegee application.

 

Asphalt: The Choice of Engineers

There are many reasons to use asphalt for your pavement surface. One of the reasons is its cost effectiveness, which right now is a great reason to use asphalt. Often asphalt is 1/2 or 1/3 less than Concrete. 

Today's Hot Mix Asphalt is a high-tech product that can withstand enormous traffic loads ranging from 18-wheelers to commercial airliners. It is a highly versatile product that can be used for many applications-from Interstate highways to airport runways, parking lots, bicycle trails, and private driveways. 

There are seven reasons why most engineers who have closely studied the new high-performance asphalt are convinced that it should be the pavement of choice for designers of future roadways... 

Click here to read the 7 reasons. 

Cost Saving Facts About Asphalt

1. A well-surfaced and striped asphalt parking area demonstrates your care for overall safety and aesthetics of your property. Maintaining a healthy parking area attracts and retains tenants and customers.

2. Sound maintenance of asphalt extends the life of a parking facility, decreasing your overall repair costs and improving the return on the investment of your property. Just as the exterior of a building or any painted surface needs preventative maintenance to prolong its life and reduce the cost of ownership the same is true with asphalt.

3. The constant weight of a parked or slow moving vehicle is greater than a faster moving vehicle. Stresses placed on asphalt in parking lots often exceed the loads experienced on highways and streets. Stay educated about distress signals and take appropriate remedial action.

Stimulus Funds will be Awarded to All States

Every state has committed at least half its highway stimulus funds so none will lose any of its allocation, the Obama administration said Thursday.

States had until June 29 to obligate the funds or risk losing half the leftover money. Only a month ago, some 14 states had yet to satisfy that goal. Hawaii was the last to meet the mark, hitting it on June 19.

Maine has secured 100% of its funds and 15 states have more than 80% of their money committed.

 read more 

Environmental Benefits of Paving with Asphalt

Recycling 

Hot Mix Asphalt gives the best return on investment of any paving material. But beyond just having that fact that it saves money, it also has environmental benefits.

Because the main ingredient in asphalt is oil, its price has increased dramatically in the last several years. Five years ago, government agencies paid $35 to $40 a ton for asphalt. However, now the price has escalated to over $90 a ton, and it is predicted that the price of asphalt will continue to climb. This has led to an increased demand for recycled asphalt which is lower in price and widely available. Asphalt and tar recycling has also become more popular because of environmental concerns. Recycled asphalt simply produces a less negative environmental impact because it is not being placed in landfills. 

Hot Mix Asphalt(HMA) pavements are 100 percent recyclable and are America's most recycled product. Approximately 80 million tons of Hot Mix Asphalt are recycled each year. Compare this to any other recycled products. Hot Mix Asphalt pavements are truly environmentally friendly.

HMA pavement recycling is more cost effective than using only virgin or new materials. The quality of a recycled asphalt pavement is as good, or even better, than brand new pavement.

Hot Mix Asphalt pavement recycling not only conserves our precious natural resources and speeds construction, it also saves American taxpayers over $300 million a year.

HMA pavements which are not recycled must be disposed of, usually in a landfill. Transporting old asphalt pavements to landfills does not make best use of a product that can be recycled. HMA pavements can be recycled numerous times.

Currently, even most new asphalt has between 15 and 20 percent of crushed, recycled asphalt mixed into it. Because of this, asphalt has now surpassed aluminum as the most widely recycled material in the world. 

ASPHALT IS AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PRODUCT

 

Environmental Liners

Asphalt paving materials have been used to line the surfaces of everything from fish hatcheries to industrial retention ponds. In the case of fish hatcheries, an inert material was needed that would not chemically react with the water. This allows fish and game experts to precisely monitor and control the environment during the delicate stages of incubation and early growth for various fish species.

- For example, Oregon and Washington state fish and wildlife agencies began using HMA to line their fish rearing ponds in 1987. Typically 1/2-acre in area, the ponds are home to chinook salmon and other fry for about 18 months before the fish are released into rivers and streams. Both the Washington and Oregon state agencies are pleased with the effectiveness of the HMA liners and plan to use them for additional fish hatcheries in the future.

For decades asphalt paving materials have been used as liners for water reservoirs.

- For example, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWDSC) has been using HMA-lined water reservoirs for more than four decades. Currently, the California Water Resources Board is completing construction on the Devil's Canyon Reservoir to store MWDSC drinking water. The 1 9-inch thick asphalt liner for the huge facility will hold 800-acre-feet of water. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in Oakland, California, has also been using HMA to line domestic water supply reservoirs since the 1 950s. A total of ten reservoirs store water in the EBMUD system.

Asphalt binders have also been used to line water pipes that supply potable water to humans.

When used for industrial retention ponds, the inertness of asphalt paving materials keeps liquid industrial waste material from percolating into the soil. This gives industry time to treat the liquid waste, and if needed, provides a platform with which to bring in mobile equipment to move the material to a processing location.

The ability of asphalt paving materials to be both chemically inert and strong enough to provide a structure for heavy equipment accounts for its use as both a landfill liner and cap. In landfills lined with asphalt paving materials modified earthmoving equipment can be employed to organize and compact landfill waste without fear of breaking the impermeable shell between the solid waste material and the soil.

Clean fill

Many states have tested discarded asphalt pavement and determined that it should be categorized as clean fill.

Even the Environmental Protection Agency's Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test, their most extreme and rigorous test for determining the toxicity of a substance, failed to show any appreciable quantities of toxic materials from asphalt pavement material.

Recreational Uses

HMA pavements are a perfect fit for the recreational industry. For years HMA has been used to pave running tracks, bicycle and golf cart paths, in addition to its traditional use for basketball and tennis courts.

Recently, there has been a move in the recreation marketplace to combine exercise with nature. Throughout the country old nature paths and abandoned rail lines are being converted into thoroughfares for bicyclists, roller skaters and roller bladers, besides the occasional pedestrian who wants to view nature while they exercise.

Asphalt pavements provide a safe and durable surface with which to accommodate both wheeled and foot traffic.

Other Uses

HMA is also used to pave cattle feed lots, poultry house floors, barn floors, and greenhouse floors. Asphalt not only provides an all-weather platform, it also provides protection against disease from waste materials. Asphalt is easy to clean and prevents pollution from getting into water supplies.

Asphalt mixtures are also used in sea walls, dikes and groins to control beach erosion. Its strength, waterproofing capability and inertness to sea water helps prevent the eroding action of tides and waves.