Preparing an outdoor surface that can stand up to the harsh Colorado elements can be a challenging undertaking, but technology has offered us a number of innovative solutions to overcome this. Asphalt seal coating is one of the most common methods for protecting driveways, walkways, and parking lots, and it’s likely only going to continue growing in popularity.
But what is asphalt seal coating, and how does it benefit you? Here’s a deep dive into everything you need to know from the experts at Asphalt Doctors.
Asphalt seal coating is an inexpensive process that helps to extend the lifespan of underlying hard surface material such as concrete or asphalt. This liquid coating is rolled or painted over the area, and once allowed to cure, it effectively seals (hence the name) the material from potential exterior damage. It comes in two forms: Coal Tar Emulsion and Asphalt Emulsion.
Seal coating is the most common solution to small damage, such as cracks or holes caused by freezing temperatures and frequent traffic. It also helps protect the underlying surface from excessive oxidation, prevents damage from spreading to other areas in the underlying structure, and defends against air, water, oil, gas, salt, chemicals, and ultraviolet rays.
It is a thoroughly effective and highly efficient method that offers protection and resiliency to surfaces to remain in good condition, even in extreme weather conditions.
As previously discussed, asphalt seal coating comes in two primary forms: Coal Tar and Asphalt Emulsion.
Coal Tar seal coating comprises a thick black liquid, a byproduct of bituminous coal. It is made of thousands of chemicals and is different molecularly than asphalt. Coal Tar seal coating is then created by mixing the bituminous coal byproduct with inert fillers, water, and emulsifying agents.
Asphalt Emulsion seal coating is made of asphalt, water, and a small amount of emulsifying agents.
Coal Tar is the industry's most commonly used asphalt seal coating.
Every asphalt company has a different asphalt seal coating process, but at Asphalt Doctors, our process includes the following:
Seal coating is completed during the spring, summer, and autumn - temperatures of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit are required.
Various other methods exist for installing asphalt or conducting an asphalt surface repair. One of the most common, alongside seal coating, is asphalt paving. This is a holistic renewal and new installation of asphalt, and it can be applied directly to materials such as concrete, gravel, or even existing asphalt.
Other methods for conducting an asphalt repair include:
Asphalt seal coating effectively and efficiently protects outdoor surfaces such as roads, walkways, and parking lots. This extremely quick process creates resistance to all types of liquids, chemicals, and even UV radiation so that your surfaces have longer lifetimes, even after incurring damage.
If you’re considering asphalt seal coating or any other type of asphalt solution for your project, be sure to contact the experts at Asphalt Doctors - we are committed to quality, ethics, service, and efficiency. Give our team a call today!
Recycled asphalt, or reclaimed asphalt, is among the most common surfacing materials for roads, parking lots, footpaths, and playgrounds. But what exactly is recycled asphalt, why is it important, and how does it work?
Read on to learn all about recycled asphalt from our team of experts.
Asphalt is a man-made material primarily composed of a binding substance (bitumen) and aggregates. Bitumen is a black, viscous by-product of oil, and aggregates are a mixture of crushed rock, sand, and gravel. Combined, asphalt is a durable and cost-efficient material for surfacing outdoor spaces.
There are many benefits of asphalt.
Asphalt is recyclable using advanced commercial equipment. While an existing asphalt surface can be crushed and recycled offsite, new techniques allow asphalt to be recycled and relayed onto the roadway or surface structure without being transported elsewhere. This can include additional recycled asphalt millings to supplement surface repair or as a sub-base material directly beneath the surface.
Recycled asphalt is an economically efficient and environmentally friendly way to repair surfaces, including road shoulders, potholes, utility cuts, etc. Asphalt is chemically composed of residue from the distillation of petroleum (resins and oils) along with compounds of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen - being able to recycle these chemical components has a significant impact by reducing the environmental footprint of acquiring more production material.
Asphalt is recycled through hot and cold methods, either offsite at a central processing facility or in-place recycling.
Recycled hot mix is often produced at a processing facility. The process produces a finished granular asphalt product processed to the desired gradation. This product is subsequently incorporated into hot-mix asphalt paving mixtures as an aggregate substitute.
Hot in-place recycling is a process of repaving that is performed as either a single or multiple-pass operation using specialized heating, scarifying, rejuvenating, lay down, and compaction equipment. There is no processing required before the actual recycling operation. One of the most common techniques is called ‘infrared patching.’
The asphalt processing requirements for cold mix recycling are similar to those for recycled hot mix, except the asphalt product is incorporated into cold mix asphalt paving mixtures as an aggregate substitute.
The cold in-place recycling process involves specialized plants or processing trains, whereby the existing pavement surface is milled to a depth of up to 6 inches, processed, mixed with asphalt emulsion (or foamed asphalt), and placed and compacted in a single pass. There is no processing required before the actual recycling operation.
Recycled asphalt is used to construct, repave, patch and repair driving surfaces along with walk and bike paths, parks, outdoor basketball courts, schoolyards, and more. Recycled asphalt saves money on time and materials instead of investing in an entirely new surface, extending the lifetime, safety, and good appearance of an existing asphalt surface.
Recycling asphalt is a process that requires both experience and commercial equipment, such as crushers, infrared heating machinery, screening units, conveyors, and stackers. In addition to these hurdles, asphalt contains potentially hazardous materials that are dangerous if not handled with the proper care, expert techniques, or safety equipment. It is recommended that recycling asphalt is left to professionals.
Recycled asphalt is the best method for repaving an existing surface because it is less expensive, faster, and more environmentally friendly than newly created asphalt admixtures alone.
Asphalt recycling may seem complex at first, but you don’t have to face it by yourself. If you manage an asphalt surface that needs repaving, don’t hesitate to contact the experts in recycled asphalt today!
Driving surfaces, whether parking lots or roads, are often made of one of two types of material: concrete or asphalt. Concrete and asphalt have their respective advantages, but is one material better to use than the other? Read on for our neutral comparison, and gain deeper insight to help decision-making on your own project.
Need professional help for your road, parking lot, or driveway project? Contact the experts at the Asphalt Doctors right away.
Concrete is made from a mixture of sand, cement, and gravel. This mixture is then poured and left to cure for approximately one week, creating a strong, durable, and long-lasting concrete surface. It is often gray in color.
Asphalt, on the other hand, is made from a mixture of sand, stone, and petroleum products to create a durable adhesive that is rolled out and cooled. It is often black in color.
Overall, many factors contribute to whether concrete or asphalt is the best option for parking lots and roads. Ultimately, it comes down to your project’s particular situation and needs, but for most situations, our team of experts recommends asphalt parking lots and roads.
If you have a project that needs a short-term solution, asphalt is great because it has a lower average cost ($2-4 per square foot vs. concrete’s $4-6 per square foot). Repairs are also easy, quick, and inexpensive compared to the alternative.
Additionally, in climates like Colorado, it’s smart to choose a product that can withstand the frequent fluctuations in temperature. Concrete can easily erode and crack with constant freezing, thawing, and the application of antifreeze chemicals. Asphalt, on the other hand, does well against highly variable temperatures and can, again, be easily repaired in case of damage.
Some projects, like major highways, must withstand up to 40+ years of wear and tear, making concrete a more economically viable solution. Similarly, if a project requires as little greenhouse gas emissions as possible, concrete could be the right choice for you.
If you are considering a new road, parking lot, or driveway, it’s important to work with the experts in Colorado. Contact the professionals at the Asphalt Doctors today to get started!
