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NY paving faqs New york asphalt contractor
All County Asphalt has provided service to the New York region since 1994. We are a family owned and operated business providing services such as installation, asphalt overlays, milling, replacements, and even demolition. We use state of the art technology and equipment while providing professional and courteous service for our clientele. You may have seen a large piece of equipment rolling down the street with that new dark asphalt, but do you really understand why we use asphalt?
What exactly is Asphalt pavement?
It is one of the most recycled materials in the U.S. How is that for Green Living? Asphalt Pavement is a highly durable compound made of 90-95% stone, sand, additives and 5-10% liquid asphalt (bitumen) that is mixed and compacted by specialized paving equipment to create a smooth pavement surface. The liquid acts as the binding agent and leads to the creation of great pavement. The flexibility of the liquid asphalt allows for contraction and expansion during the seasons resulting in less cracking.
What exactly is Asphalt pavement?
It is one of the most recycled materials in the U.S. How is that for Green Living? Asphalt Pavement is a highly durable compound made of 90-95% stone, sand, additives and 5-10% liquid asphalt (bitumen) that is mixed and compacted by specialized paving equipment to create a smooth pavement surface. The liquid acts as the binding agent and leads to the creation of great pavement. The flexibility of the liquid asphalt allows for contraction and expansion during the seasons resulting in less cracking.
What are the benefits of Asphalt?
Asphalt is resilient and durable with strength that endures many years of high volume traffic. With a great asphalt pavement application installed and maintained properly roads, parking lots, driveways and airstrips can last 25 to 30 years. Asphalt provides a smooth driving surface, costs less to install than other pavements, less to maintain, has rich color offering contrast against traffic lines, making it more safe! It is also a lot quieter than other pavements, and recyclable!
What causes asphalt pavement to fail?
Water. At first, asphalt pavements are extremely resistant to water and actually keep water out of the structure due to the flexibility and water-repellent nature of the liquid asphalt in the mix. However, over time, asphalt begins to lose its flexibility due to UV rays from the sun. This causes the liquid asphalt to harden which results in its inability to expand and contract with seasonal weather ailments. The result is cracking that allows water to seep into the structure. As the water gets underneath the pavement it causes potholes, cracking, depressions and upheavals.
What causes asphalt pavement to fail?
Maintenance. Your driveway or parking lot requires maintenance. Without the proper maintenance you will spend thousands of dollars in repairs. If you set up a maintenance routine within the first year of placement then you can double the life of your new pavement. Simply beginning with a seal coating within the first year and every 2 to 3 after can help extend the life of your pavement. Once any cracks, potholes, depressions or upheavals are noticed have them repaired right away. As the asphalt ages, these will only worsen over time. It is more cost effective to repair and extend the life-cycle of your original placed pavement than to have to replace entirely.