Everywhere you go in Lehigh Valley and other places in the United States, you drive and ride on asphalt highways, interstates, and other roads. You also see driveways, parking lots and walk on asphalt walkways. But how much do you know about this common paving material? Here are some things you should know about asphalt.
Asphalt is popular
More than 90% of roads in the US are surfaced with asphalt, making it the paving material of choice. And not just in the US. In the rest of North America and all over the world, home and business owners and municipal and state governments prefer asphalt to other materials.
Asphalt is good for the environment
Asphalt is the material to go for if you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint, whether as a business owner or individual. It is one of the most recycled materials on earth today. While new asphalt is available, recycled asphalt is commonly used for projects. So with asphalt, you can be sure you’re not negatively impacting the environment.
Asphalt requires regular maintenance
Although asphalt is durable and requires little maintenance, it needs regular maintenance to last a very long time. You can seal coat your asphalt pavement every 3 - 5 years.
Also, fixing cracks and holes immediately will prevent the damage from worsening and prolong the life of your asphalt. You can also resurface failed sections instead of replacing your pavement.
It’s best to lay asphalt in the summer
While it’s possible to lay asphalt in the winter or fall, the best time to put down asphalt is during the summer when the temperature is consistently above 55 degrees. You should only mix asphalt in the winter for emergency repairs. And because asphalt mixed in the winter doesn’t cure, you may need to replace it as soon as the weather begins to warm up.
Asphalt projects can be completed quickly
Asphalt materials are few and easy to source locally, so projects can commence quickly. In addition, compared to concrete, the cure time for asphalt is also swift. So whether it’s a residential, commercial, or municipal project, you can drive on asphalt pavement sooner than you would with concrete.
Asphalt paving requires a professional
While asphalt paving is possible in some circumstances, it’s best left to professionals for the most part. It requires equipment such as excavators, dump trucks, compactors, and other equipment you may not have.
Even if you have access to these tools, you may not have the know-how to safely and successfully operate them. In addition, a professional asphalt contractor possesses the skills and experience to install quality and durable asphalt pavements.
Ready for your next asphalt project? Hicks Paving provides the highest quality residential and commercial asphalt paving services in and around Lehigh Valley. Contact us to request a FREE estimate.
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