There’s no doubt about it: asphalt is an incredibly strong surface. But if careful preparations are not made before asphalt is poured, the surface won’t be nearly as strong and durable as it should be. Here are the steps that should be taken before your new asphalt surface is poured.
- The old surface should be demolished and removed. If you have existing old pavement, it needs to be completely torn up and removed prior to new pavement being poured. (In some instances, if the pavement is not too damaged, you may be able to repave it. But in many cases – particularly those in which your pavement has extensive cracking and potholes – you’ll need to have the surface completely replaced. Ask your paving contractor for an assessment.)
- The surface will need to be sloped and graded to allow for adequate drainage. Remember that water can severely damage asphalt, so it’s important that your surface has adequate run-off.
- The sub base will need to be compacted. This is an extremely important step in the process. If the sub base underneath your asphalt surface is not adequately compacted, it won’t be stable enough to support the new asphalt, and it will make your new pavement more susceptible to water damage and the freeze/thaw cycle in the winter.
- The binder layer will need to be laid. Think of the binder as the backbone of the asphalt surface. This mixture of aggregate and oil provides the strength that your asphalt will need to last for many years.
- Finally, the asphalt surface will be poured. Once the base is prepared and the binder layer has been laid, it’s time for the asphalt itself to be poured. Asphalt that is properly poured is completely smooth and black in appearance.
- The asphalt surface will be smoothed out even more and compacted. For most large-scale pavement projects, the paving contractor will use a roller truck to further smooth out and compact the surface of the asphalt.
As is the case with nearly any construction project, preparation is the key to a high quality end result. The same holds true for asphalt. While it’s true that these steps may seem like overkill to the untrained person, a qualified paving professional knows that without proper preparation, your asphalt will not last nearly as long as it would otherwise. To find out more about the steps involved in your paving project, talk to your paving contractor.