Asphalt is a commonly used surface for parking lots, driveways, bike paths, walkways, and many other purposes. It’s a preferred material thanks to its affordability and durability, and maintenance can be used to lengthen the lifespan of asphalt. When you’ve invested in asphalt, it makes sense to focus on its quality as the years go by. After all, the exterior of your business or HOA is significant regarding aesthetics and value. Nobody wants to look at an area littered with holes, cracks, and crumbling asphalt.
Even with the best maintenance practices from top asphalt contractors in the area, there may come a time when a site needs some involved attention. A professional can assess the property to determine what kind of asphalt paving services are necessary for improvement. Two options that you have are asphalt resurfacing and asphalt overlay. While they have similarities, they are used for different scenarios. Let’s look at these processes, when you would use them, and what to expect.
What is Asphalt Overlay?
An overlay process is used when only minor problems exist with the surface of asphalt. This can include cracks, rifts, the start of potholes, and more. As long as the subgrade slab and the integrity of the asphalt are intact, an asphalt overlay should be adequate. No milling will be needed, making the process much simpler and faster. Of course, some other asphalt paving maintenance may be necessary before the overlay can be applied. This can include filling holes, smoothing over cracks, or cleaning the area.
A typical overlay will be about one to two inches deep. The thickness can increase as the condition of the original asphalt decreases. Some overlays can be as thick as three inches while still being able to avoid milling. This process is preferred by many property owners not just because of its affordability but because it’s a much faster process to complete. Just be sure that you’re working with trusted asphalt contractors that will confirm that the integrity of your asphalt is intact and will benefit from an overlay.
What is Asphalt Resurfacing?
Upon inspection of the area, professionals may determine that your asphalt is compromised at a subgrade level. To repair issues, asphalt milling and resurfacing will be needed. This can occur when a large number of cracks are present, and they are very deep. Pooling water, de-lamination at a sub-level, and potholes can also lead to severe deterioration. If you’ve had several overlays applied, this can lead to issues with drainage or height. Resurfacing may be needed to start fresh without having to do a complete replacement of the area.
Asphalt milling and resurfacing addressed damaged areas by actually removing some of the surface layer without having to excavate everything. Once the site has been cleaned up, your asphalt contractor can add a new surface layer. An inspection by asphalt contractors will determine just how deep the resurfacing needs to go to make a difference in the structure and appearance of your asphalt. This is a bit more involved, but it’s still a more affordable option than removing all of the asphalt and starting from scratch.
Southern Asphalt Engineering
If you would like assistance with your asphalt project, reach out to us here at Southern Asphalt Engineering. We are a licensed and insured engineering firm proudly serving the Miami-Dade & Broward counties. We provide asphalt paving services that include asphalt milling and resurfacing, including asphalt overlay. Our team is comprised of individuals that have been working in this field for over 50 years, and we are the go-to paving company for property managers and associations to work with. We’re confident that we can provide you with the services you’re looking for at an affordable price. Request an estimate of services on our website, and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible to provide details for your project from start to finish.