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High-Quality Asphalt Overlay in Lee’s Summit, Missouri
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Asphalt Overlay
When your parking lot needs repair, you don’t need to replace it entirely. An asphalt overlay can solve this problem. Let the experts from Lee’s Summit Asphalt help you with your asphalt overlay needs.
We proudly serve all properties throughout Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Raymore, Missouri, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Raytown, Missouri, and Blue Springs, Missouri. We are the area’s leading paving contractor. We provide our customers with the highest level of customer service, professional workmanship, and services.
Asphalt Overlay Process for Properties in Lee’s Summit, Missouri
An asphalt overlay is a paving method in which a new layer of asphalt is applied over the existing surface. Instead of completely tearing out the old asphalt, an overlay uses the existing layers as a base for the new pavement.
Our experienced asphalt overlay contractors will inspect the existing surface carefully to determine if there is a stable layer of underlying pavement or subgrade before we start this process. The existing pavement surface is milled until the sublayer is reached. Once that sublayer is at the proper height and drainage levels, a new layer of asphalt can be overlayed.
The process is faster and more efficient than a new asphalt installation. However, it depends on having an existing asphalt surface that is in overall good condition.
How to Choose Between Asphalt Overlay and Complete Asphalt Replacement
When your driveway or parking lot needs repair, it obviously needs repair. However, the question is what type of repair is necessary? Do you just need a small asphalt patch, an asphalt overlay, or does the entire surface need to be replaced?
Below is a guide that you can use when choosing between an asphalt overlay and complete asphalt replacement. Our goal is to help you understand the differences between an asphalt overlay and asphalt replacement.
Asphalt Overlay
When you are looking for an effective solution to asphalt pavement surface deterioration, an effective solution is an asphalt overlay. Often, this type of asphalt repair is an option for minor to medium-range cracks, fissures, and potholes in your parking lot and driveways.
When the subgrade of the parking area is in good condition, an asphalt overlay can be placed over the existing surface. Cracks, holes, and depressions are cleaned and filled, and then a fresh layer of asphalt is applied to give the entire area a refreshed look and a longer lifespan.
An asphalt overlay consists of a new layer of asphalt applied over the existing asphalt surface. The thickness of an overlay usually ranges from 1.5” to 2”. If you want to change the grade of the existing asphalt surface and if standing water and drainage has been a problem, it may be milled.
In this process, a machine is used to plane the pavement surface to an appropriate depth before it is covered with the new asphalt layer. Once the milling is finished and the overlay is completed, the surface is left with the appropriate grade so that water is directed to drains and ditches. Your parking lot’s brand-new surface is now ready for pavement striping.
Asphalt Removal and Replacement
When your asphalt has severe subgrade deficiencies, it may require the complete removal of part or all of the pavement and base material. Water is one of the main reasons why asphalt and subgrade deteriorate.
If your parking lot is riddled with potholes and potholes repairs, cracks, depressions, and even standing water, complete asphalt removal and replacement may be necessary.
If your parking lot or driveway needs complete replacing, your paving contractor will excavate and remove the asphalt and correct any pre-existing conditions in the subgrade such as excess moisture, shallow utility lines, missing aggregate base, or incorrectly prepared subgrade may require additional steps in the base preparation. Once these pre-existing conditions have been corrected, new aggregate will be installed and compacted with rollers to finish the process, leaving the area with a smooth, flat surface.
What are the Benefits of Asphalt Sealcoating?
When your driveway or parking lot has seen better days, you might want to spruce it up with some seal coating. Below are some of the benefits of seal coating.
Protects Asphalt from the Sun
One of the most common images of asphalt in popular culture is that long desert highway with the sun beating down on it. The asphalt is usually cracked and faded.
That’s exactly what happens to asphalt that is not protected from the sun. The harmful UV rays can break down several things and the binders and aggregate in asphalt are no exception.
Asphalt seal coating helps to provide long-term protection from the harmful parts of the spectrum, making asphalt last longer in the wild.
Protects from Moisture
A lot of people tend to forget how much damage water can do to things. Asphalt is no exception, especially in areas where freezing is normal. Moisture can work its way under the asphalt and the expansion of water as it transforms into ice can lead to cracks that disrupt the surface integrity of a large piece of road.
Even without freezing, asphalt can be eroded by water during the rainy season. Where there’s a complete washout, you can even end up losing the underlying base rock and gravel, causing substantial damage in a short period of time.
Promotes Longevity
Asphalt has a limited lifespan. It weathers more quickly than concrete and it’s more prone to damage both from the elements and from vehicles that pass over it.
Asphalt seal coating can significantly extend the lifespan of a project constructed with asphalt when applied properly. That means the road, driveway, or parking lot will last much longer after it has been sealed than it would otherwise since it helps to prevent damage that would naturally accrue over time.
Keeps Asphalt Black
Sun-faded and worn roads are everywhere. Even if there’s no significant damage, several property owners despise the look of faded asphalt. While it’s not quite as important for roadways, most homeowners want their homes to look good.
Sealcoating helps asphalt to maintain its aesthetic for a longer time. Even if your driveway is aging, it will still look like asphalt instead of particularly dusty concrete.
What are the Benefits of Asphalt Overlay?
The benefits of asphalt overlay are almost the same as those of getting an entire new pavement. The biggest benefit lies in the appearance of the paved surface. An asphalt overlay can provide a dark, solid, and smooth surface similar to what you have seen there several years ago during the application of the original asphalt.
This work can help reduce noise levels, enhance ride quality, and reduce the competitive life cycle values of the surface. The moment the asphalt surface starts to age, there is a high chance that it will start to crack and become unstable.
An asphalt overlay can restore the ability of the surface to handle all heavy traffic on its sealed and smooth surface. The dust and loose stones from the old asphalt will also be minimized and covered beneath the underlay. Aside from the improved surface, one more notable benefit of overlaying commercial areas is the reduced amount of construction time.
An asphalt overlay doesn’t need any curing time, so there will be minor traffic delays. It is also more affordable compared to asphalt replacement or asphalt resurfacing. There is less downtime to complete your project.
When is the Best Time for an Asphalt Overlay?
If you want to get the best asphalt laying weather in Missouri, wait for July, August, September, and October. These are the best months for asphalt projects because the rainy season is over.
Asphalt is easiest to lay down in warm weather, on a day without wind or rain. Poor weather can cool the asphalt as its being laid, which can cause problems. That said, our team has the equipment and expertise to work in a range of weather conditions, so if you have an asphalt project, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Call Us Today!
When your parking lot or roadway is mostly in good condition, you may be eligible for an asphalt overlay. This can simplify the repair process and give you the results that you need.
