The best thing you can do as a consumer of asphalt paving is to educate yourself on the process. If you don’t do your research, any contractor can leave out a step or overcharge you for something that isn’t typical for your needs. As defined by the National Asphalt Pavement Association, asphalt pavement is an “engineered mixture of aggregates with liquid asphalt cement”. This mixture is then heated in order to form a liquefied mixture to add to your parking lots and driveways. At Cassidy Paving we understand the scientific and professional standards that paving should adhere to. Let’s help you understand how the entire process works:
Step 1: The Demo Stage
The first step in any paving job is to remove the existing surface. Maybe you’re completely overhauling your current drive or starting fresh. Regardless of the surface type, it must be prepped. If there is an existing surface such as asphalt, concrete, or pavers, our team will use machinery to dig up, break down, and remove the existing drive. This is a process that cannot be done halfway. You need a fresh start in order to ensure that the new pavement will be functional and lasts for many years. Our contractors also follow all environmental and safety guidelines for the proper removal of the debris.
Step 2: Prepping the Area
This next step is where the recently demoed area will be prepped by grading and/or sloping. The degree of slope, such as deep, hillside, or shallow, will determine how much leveling will be necessary to prep the area of your asphalt pavement. Professional determination should be made depending on the need of the individual customer. No two areas for paving are the same and an experienced contractor will be able to tell you what the benefits are for certain grading or sloping plans. Another reason that this step is so important is that proper work should be done to ensure that water will be able to drain from the area. You will not want water pooling frequently on your new asphalt pavement.
Step 3: It’s All About That Sub Base
Sub bases have a long history of importance in roadways dating all the way back to the Romans. The sub-base is very important, and arguably the most integral part of the paving process, because it helps the pavement bear loads of heavy trucks and vehicles frequently traveling across the surface. During this step, we will apply the base material and compact it in order to provide the stability your pavement will need for years of use. Also, once the sub base is applied, a binder layer is applied.
Step 4: Adding the Asphalt
After all of the support is laid, the top layer of asphalt will be poured. This will be the fresh, black, and smooth ride that you expect. Your contractor should also make sure that the new asphalt pavement works seamlessly with the old surface and any curbs. Special attention will be paid so that the new construction doesn’t cause harm when driven across to transition to the old surface.
Step 5: Roll it Out
The last step, and one that most people are familiar with, is the rolling process where the asphalt is compacted and made smooth with heavy machinery. Cassidy Paving works to get out all the bumps and lumps in the new surface for that smooth ride you expect.
Hire a Pro
The Cassidy Paving team is proud to offer services across Massachusetts. We also recommend if you use another contractor, you pay attention to the steps they are taking to make sure they are following this order. Give us a call today for a free estimate at 866-978-9788.