Asphalt is a trusted material for pavement projects such as roads, driveways, and parking lots. The combination of rock, sand, and bitumen creates an oil-based binding agent that holds everything in place, ensuring its longevity. Accurately laying asphalt is essential for preserving your paving solution effectively.
So how asphalt is laid? Read more as we’ll talk about the process of laying asphalt and other related information in today’s article.
The Steps Involved In Laying Asphalt
Here are the steps you need to take to get it right:
- Prepare The Area – Before any asphalt can be laid, the paveable area must be properly prepared first. This means taking out anything that could prevent a smooth asphalt pavement installation process, such as vegetation and large stones. Once this has been done with precision, the paving process can commence.
After the groundwork is completed, it is essential to develop a flat surface so that when the asphalt is laid, it can settle evenly with no dips or bumps.
To achieve a perfectly smooth surface, use something like a laser leveler. After the plane has been thoroughly prepared and leveled, you can move forward to the next step.
- Applying Sand And Tar Emulsion – To properly bond various asphalt paving layers, sand and tar emulsion must be mixed together. To ensure even coverage throughout the area before applying any asphalt, a spreader machine should be used to evenly distribute the sand material across it. Doing so will guarantee an optimal installation process and result in better adhesion between all layers laid down.
- Pour Asphalt – After taking the necessary precautions and double-checking for any large stones, it’s time to pour your asphalt mix across your space. An essential step before doing this is to ensure that no obstructions, such as large stones, are present; if so, the process of laying pavement can be much simpler.
After ensuring that everything is up to standard, you can then proceed with using a hand tamper or roller compactor accordingly, based on the amount of ground area needing asphalt. When these machines have completed their tasks – voilà! You are now ready for the next phase.
- Finishing Off The Job – To ensure a successful asphalt paving job, it is essential to compact the edges around its perimeter. By using either a hand tamper or rubber mallet, along with sandpaper if needed, you can be certain that all areas have been sufficiently compressed without leaving any imperfections – guaranteeing your pavement’s longevity and pristine visual appeal.
All that is left for you to do is bask in the beauty of your freshly laid flat blacktop and savor it for as long as possible.
How Long Does The Paving Process Usually Take
Depending on the dimensions and intricacy of your asphalt driveway, completing construction may take anywhere from a few days to an entire week.
Apart from that, the asphalt requires time to cure and settle. Allowing it to do so is essential for its long-term longevity and durability. Curing provides an opportunity for the asphalt to properly solidify, fuse with underlying layers, as well as enhance resistance against traffic loads and temperature fluctuations.
If the new asphalt is not adequately cured, it can experience fracturing and warping due to shifting under the ground or extreme weather. Furthermore, allowing adequate time for curing ensures that all of its volatile compounds have fully dissipated, thus avoiding pollution of nearby air or soil.
It is important to let asphalt set properly before using it, as this guarantees that the paving surface can adequately bear vehicles and other tools. Asphalt requires a minimum of 24 hours for it to cool down and harden after being laid. Depending on the temperature or humidity levels, however, up to 72 hours may be necessary to ensure optimal strength of your asphalt pavement.
Why Hire A Contractor
If you desire to have an asphalt driveway installed on your property, make sure you get in touch with a trustworthy paving contractor for advice. This way, the job will be done correctly and provide a durable surface that can endure years of use and abuse. Don’t let yourself miss out on this opportunity—contact a reliable paving company today.
It is highly advisable to hire a professional contractor for your asphalt project, as the complexity of the job is beyond what an average individual can do. Aside from that, here are some other reasons why you should hire one:
- Expertise and Experience – Expert contractors have the expertise to guarantee that your asphalt paving job is done right and on-time. With an in-depth knowledge of all kinds of asphalt, as well as industry regulations for the asphalt pavement installation, they can ensure a quality outcome every time.
- Quality Equipment – Professional paving contractors have access to the most up-to-date equipment and tools available, which enable them to perform their tasks with accuracy, efficiency, and safety. These items include compaction machines, asphalt mixers, and other specialist machinery for laying pavement.
- Time Savings – Experienced contractors can be a tremendous asset, as they are well-versed in the process and skillful enough to finish projects quickly. By entrusting them with your project, you will save yourself precious time that could otherwise be spent on other important tasks.
Overall, it is highly suggested to enlist a professional contractor for your asphalt paving. With experienced and proficient workers on the job, you can be guaranteed a superior longevity and performance from your asphalt driveway or pavement. You can rest easy knowing that their expertise will ensure your investment lasts for many years to come.
With proper installation and maintenance, your asphalt surface should last between 12 and 20 years – so make sure you hire the right people to do the paving process for you.