Common Asphalt and Paving Terms
Unlike concrete, an asphalt pavement is both strong and flexible. It is also a cost effective choice over other paving options. Asphalt pavement is known for its durability and resilience. It is this strength which makes asphalt pavement the best and most popular choice for a variety of applications including: driveways, roadways, parking lots and airport take-off and landing strips.
Should asphalt repairs or asphalt patching be required, an experienced asphalt paving company should be able to affordably provide these asphalt services. So that you are familiar with some of the jargon used within the asphalt and paving industry, here are some common terms and their meanings:
Subgrade – The subgrade is the soil, or foundation, that is prepared to support the asphalt pavement.
Base – The base is the material installed on top of the subgrade prior to the asphalt paving company installing the asphalt pavement. Recycled based, consisting of asphalt or concrete that has been crushed, works for a great subbase.
Asphalt pavement – Sometimes called blacktop, asphalt pavement is made up of aggregate (stone), sand additives and petroleum (liquid) asphalt. The liquid asphalt is what is used to bind the materials together in asphalt pavements. Once mixed, the pavement consists of up to ninety-five percent aggregate and sand and five to ten percent asphalt which is also sometimes called bitumen.
Asphalt Mat – During the laydown and compaction phase of construction, the asphalt mat is a term most commonly used to refer to the new asphalt surface behind the paving machine.
Asphalt Rolling or Compaction – Before the newly laid asphalt mat can cool down, the final step of the paving process is to compact or roll the asphalt pavement with an asphalt roller. This is a very important step for local asphalt paving companies to manage, as the final quality of the asphalt pavement relies heavily on this process.
Asphalt Overlay – A new layer of asphalt that is placed on an existing asphalt pavement surface making it look brand new is called an asphalt overlay. An asphalt overlay can be done when the existing asphalt is in good overall condition but may have some problem areas. Depending on the degree of cracking, crumbling or sunken areas, those areas can have asphalt repairs or be fixed through asphalt patching. However, an overlay should never be done on an asphalt pavement that is severely cracked, crumbling, wavy or has sinking, soft sports otherwise the new layer will exhibit the same signs very quickly.
About ABC Paving and Sealcoating
With more than 20 years of experience, ABC Paving and Sealcoating is Florida’s leading paving contractor. ABC Paving and Sealcoating provides commercial organizations with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship and services including: asphalt paving, asphalt repairs and prevention, pothole repairs, sealcoating, line striping and marking, thermoplastic, crack filing, signs and safety devices, concrete sidewalks, concrete curbs and site preparation. We use our experience and the latest equipment available to get the job done right the first time in a timely, cost effective manner. For more information about ABC Paving and Sealcoating, visit our website at https://pavingandsealcoating.com or call 866-934-7623 for a free estimate.