FAQs

Have questions about asphalt repair, installation and maintenance? Take a look at the list below for answers to frequently asked questions.

Don’t see your question? Contact us for more information.

Asphalt Paving

Asphalt and blacktop are different names for the same thing – kind of like soda and pop. To put it simply: asphalt is the actual pavement, installed in layers and compacted for strength. Sealcoat, is the protective top coat that is applied over the asphalt pavement.

Asphalt is a combination of aggregate and sand held together by asphalt cement (binder).

Asphalt “courses” are the layers that solidify your asphalt surface. Courses are made up of different mixes of aggregates to provide stability and smoothness to the asphalt. Each layer is compacted to achieve proper density with our pavers and vibratory rollers. Professionally-laid asphalt is typically composed of subbase course, base course, intermediate course and surface course. Depending on the use and load requirements of the lot, the mix of asphalt base materials and surface course that we use will vary.

With proper maintenance and installation, new asphalt will last between 10 and 20 years depending on weather conditions and traffic.

Maintenance is extremely important to maximize the life of your asphalt. This includes:

  • Repairing potholes ASAP
  • Crack sealing annually
  • Sealcoating every 3-5 years
  • Restriping when fading

Regular maintenance not only addresses damage before it escalates, but also keeps your asphalt looking its best. ASO’s paving experts can advise you on a maintenance plan.

Depending on what’s going on, you may have more than one option. One of ASO’s pavement consultants will do a professional analysis and talk through your options with you. We may be able to do an overlay of the existing asphalt, or we may need to mill and pave, or in some cases, if the base is failing, we will remove and replace the existing asphalt.

Asphalt typically lasts 10-20 years, and should be repaved or replaced when extensive repairs are required, the subbase is deteriorating, or pavement has aged out. Asphalt longevity depends on traffic patterns, weather conditions and maintenance. Learn more about when to resurface or replace asphalt.

Yes! We know how important it is to minimize the inconvenience of a construction project, so we work hard to make the process as painless as possible.

Most paving contractors can complete a project in a couple of phases to minimize disruptions to your property, or even conduct work on the weekend so the work week isn’t affected. ASO has flexible scheduling options to accommodate retail, industrial and commercial clients.

We normally recommend staying off new asphalt pavement for at least 24 hours, but during really hot weather you may have to stay off longer. Your ASO consultant will advise you on this based on weather conditions.

DIY asphalt maintenance and repairs are not recommended. The work is extremely time consuming without the proper tools, and usually ends with less-than-professional results. Working with a professional paving company like ASO ensures you receive the best-possible products (like commercial-grade asphalt with additives for longevity and adhesion) along with the know-how and equipment for a quality job.  

What you can do yourself to maintain your asphalt is address damage promptly, remove snow and stay on a regular maintenance schedule.

Concrete

ASO concrete services include: drive lanes and other flat-work, concrete approaches, dumpster pads, concrete curbing, catch-basin and collar repair.

Our concrete projects begin at $1,500. 

We usually recommend waiting seven days for vehicular traffic, but foot traffic is usually allowed on new concrete within 12-24 hours. There are also additives available that can shorten the curing time, if needed.

Yes, and our concrete is sealed immediately after pouring. It should be cleaned and resealed every three years.

If prepared and poured correctly, concrete should last 20-25 years. Cleaning, sealing and minimizing the usage of salt will also extend its life.

Sealcoat & Crack Sealing

Sealcoat is an asphalt-based liquid product that is applied to the surface of asphalt pavement to preserve, protect and extend the life of the asphalt.
Asphalt pavement is mostly rock and/or stone and gravel, along with a binder. The rock, or aggregate, is held together with this binder known as asphalt cement. Maintaining this binder is essential to preserve the service life of asphalt surfaces. Rain, U.V. rays, and chemicals, as they are introduced into the asphalt, will degrade the binder and thus begin the degradation process of the asphalt. This process will continue and create a surface that turns brittle unless sealcoat is applied.
How often you should sealcoat your asphalt depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the following:

• Quality of pavement sealer
• Proper sealer mix design
• Number of coats applied
• Amount of material applied
• Amount of daily traffic
• Geographic area

We recommend two coats of sealcoat six months to one year after your surface is paved and then one coat every 3 years thereafter to provide adequate pavement protection as well as attractive curb appeal for your commercial property or home.

That depends on the number and size of the cracks. For instance: if the pavement surface looks like an alligator’s back, you may need something more extensive than seal coat and crack-sealing. Contact us for a free evaluation.

There is not an exact formula, but generally, cracks in asphalt that are ¼” or wider need to be sealed with crack seal. They should be filled as soon as possible to prevent moisture from seeping beneath the asphalt pavement and into the base.

We recommend staying off fresh sealcoat for at least 24 hours, but during really hot or humid weather you may have to stay off longer. Your ASO consultant will advise you on this based on weather conditions.

Still have questions? Contact us for more information.