Asphalt Paving for Municipalities
No one on the municipal level enjoys being in charge of asphalt or road repair as it can be a costly and complex process. However, keeping roadways safe and free from impairment impacting drivers is essential to city planning and infrastructure growth. Working with a company with experience in municipal paving undertakings and sealcoating in Lodi, CA, can save time, funds, and some massive headaches.
When to Repair Asphalt
Weigh repairing roads and public parking areas about 2/3rds of the way through their life expectancy — which will be decided when the initial paving occurs. This indicates that pavement that should survive ten years needs restoration at about six to seven years. But, of course, it could happen faster than that based on the magnitude of traffic and environmental circumstances.
Paving Options
Municipal paving tasks are much different than residential undertakings. Of course, asphalt contractors must explain these alternatives to project managers, but here are a few choices available:
- Stone-Matrix: Also called stone mastic asphalt, this is mainly designed for high-traffic roads to oppose rutting from wear and tear. It's also a savvy choice for lowering noise pollution. Composite is constructed from gap-graded aggregate with a modified asphalt binder.
- Perpetual Pavement: This consists of a robust subsurface supporting multiple layers of stable asphalt. This type of pavement discourages cracks and delivers a smoother driving surface that can go years without requiring restoration or repair.
- Porous asphalt: Explicitly designed for optimized water drainage, porous asphalt is perfect for city planning. It's cost-effective and sustainable, with a life expectancy of up to 20 years. Using porous asphalt doesn't demand any special training or tools, either.
- Open-graded friction course: To improve friction in wet driving circumstances, open-graded asphalt exteriors are added to help empty water away from the road. This also something aids in noise pollution reduction.
Prolonging Municipal Asphalt Lifespan
Aside from selecting an asphalt contractor with experience in municipal paving, the best preventive measures for expanding pavement longevity start with having cracks filled when they grow as wide as they are deep. Cracks are water magnets, and moisture and debris will collect and impair the subsurface — the support system for the pavement. Water can also freeze during colder months, leading to more severe issues and larger cracks. Consider routine sealcoating to maintain the barrier between the pavement and factors beyond your control, like climate or traffic.
Predicting Pavement Challenges
There should be no unwelcome surprises if the pavement is established correctly, but one of the most familiar issues is cracking, simply due to everyday use. UV exposure, varying temperatures, heavy traffic, and friction can contribute to cracks. However, if cracks unfurl quickly, that's a sign that the asphalt wasn't accurately installed and can lead to a complete replacement.
Potholes are, of course, another problem that commonly occurs on municipal roadways and parking area surfaces. These result from unrepaired cracks exposed to heat and humidity, collecting standing water that can degrade the pavement's subsurface. Along with steady motorist complaints, potholes can lead to deterioration and injuries that boost road danger and liability for property owners and managers.
We hope this municipal paving information helps you better understand the process. Contact us today for more information on commercial and residential paving and sealcoating in Modest, CA. We are here for you!