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22 February 2015

How Asphalt Paving Los Angeles Should Be Handled

By Olivia Cross


Among the commonly used paving materials are bricks, concrete, stamped concretes, and asphalt. When you choose to install asphaltic pavements, it is crucial that the installation is done properly and regular preventive maintenance taken to extend the life of the structure. An asphalt paving Los Angeles will ensure you get quality pavements installed in your premises and timely restorative measures are taken when the structure is in bad shape.

The life of asphaltic pavements is determined by many factors including the quality of installation practices and the way in which they are maintained. Even with the best practices in installing these pavements, if they are not taken care of properly, they will degrade fast. It may cost you a lot in replacement or major repairs.

Besides, the ground is pressed with heavy equipment before the gravel stones are placed and compacted. The right thickness of asphalt cement is also applied. However, you may have quality driveways or parking lots but if they are not maintained properly, they will not endure for longer. You will need to carry out timely inspections to ensure the pavements are performing as required.

If you notice changes in color or development of cracks, you can seek help of contractors to make the necessary corrective measures. At first, you will not have many problems with your asphaltic pavements. But as time elapses, you will begin to notice some changes. The initially beautiful deep black color will begin to turn to gray. This is a sign that your pavements are losing their elasticity qualities.

Initially, you will find that your pavements are flexible and they can withstand the heavy weight of vehicles while also contracting and expanding due to changes in temperature. But when blacktop is exposed to UV light for a long time, it loses its elasticity meaning that it cannot expand or contract in a uniform way thus developing cracks. The change in color from initially deep black color to grayish color may signal that it is time to have your first sealcoating.

If the blacktop is damaged, soon you will experience problems with the sub grade layer and the entire structure. When the UV light heats blacktop, it makes it to become harder than before. It will start unraveling and losing its binders. With constant exposure to heat, cracks will form. If such cracks are not corrected, they will widen and begin to allow moisture to take its toll on the structure.

With cracks, moisture from rainwater or snow may penetrate deep into the structure. As more water settles inside the pavements, it will freeze in times of winter. This causes the cracks to enlarge, and when the frozen water thaws, it leaves some empty spaces that in turn cause the material in blacktop to crumble and fill those spaces. You may see potholes occurring.

Cracks should be sealed with crack fillers or other techniques such as overlays. Depending on the nature of cracks, various repair options may be chosen. An alligator cracking will need patching. If you have localized cracks that are deep, it may require a technique that will excavate the ground to remove the loose material and compact the sub grade to make it firm.




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