When you hire an asphalt paving company to lay down some pavement, the asphalt paving they apply should come out with a nice, smooth surface. But how?
In this article, we’ll go over how our asphalt pavers achieve smooth, even asphalt surfaces, and how asphalt maintenance can keep your asphalt in great shape for years to come.
A Look at Asphalt’s Unique Properties
Asphalt pavement is made up of two basic parts. The mixture of gravel bits and sand that form the solid part of the asphalt is called the aggregate. The other part of the pavement mix is the actual asphalt. The asphalt is the hot, tar-like liquid part of the mix.
A good asphalt paving contractor will start with the aggregate mixture, then add a generous portion of liquid asphalt to bind the aggregate together as it dries. If applied well, the asphalt surface should come out smooth after it dries. The smooth surface will help the sealcoating adhere to the surface layer of the pavement more consistently. A consistent sealcoat will be more effective at protecting your asphalt surface from the elements.
Keeping your asphalt smooth is more than just cosmetic. Rough asphalt with loose rocks is a telltale sign of wear which means your asphalt is in danger of more severe damage.
Asphalt becomes rough when part of it begins to wear away. That wearing will slowly happen but can happen more quickly if the asphalt isn’t correctly installed or maintained. Once you notice the asphalt has gotten rough, the protection of the sealcoating has already begun to lose effect. Left untreated, water will seep into small crevices between the particles in the aggregate mix. At night, the temperature can drop rapidly. The water that found its way deep into the asphalt can then freeze, expand and create cracks in your asphalt.
How Our Asphalt Contractors Achieve a Smooth Asphalt Surface
Morgan Pavement is a full-service asphalt paving company which means we’re experts in making asphalt smooth.
When we install an asphalt driveway or parking lot, we have the experience to get the asphalt mix just right. When applying the asphalt, it should be a soupy consistency that allows it to spread like a thick liquid. That way, it can be carefully smoothed when applied, similar to concrete.
Spreading and smoothing asphalt paving means moving hot, sticky liquid across large surface areas. It requires special trowels, squeegees, and other tools to handle the heat and the reach. The tools must also grip the asphalt mixture enough to move it around but not stick so much that it creates crests when you remove it from the liquid asphalt’s surface. It also takes some experience to master the technique.
Before the initial application, we ensure the ground surface is compacted correctly to provide a solid base for your concrete so it won’t collapse. After we apply the asphalt and it begins to dry, it will also need to be compacted.
Properly compacting the asphalt removes air bubbles in the mixture and ensures it applies in a solid, consistent layer throughout.
We have the gear and expertise to properly lay out your asphalt, creating a smooth and reliable paved area. We’ll also set you up with an asphalt maintenance plan so your asphalt will stay smooth. By maintaining your asphalt, you won’t just keep it looking great; you’ll be extending the life of your pavement by ensuring the sealcoating remains effective.
Choose Morgan Pavement for Smooth Asphalt and More
Morgan Pavement is more than a reliable asphalt paving company; we also offer asphalt repair and other paving services, including concrete. We can handle all of your pavement needs.
Contact Morgan Pavement today for a bid on your pavement project.
