Whether you choose concrete or asphalt paving, your pavement will suffer from the loads it must bear as well as the forces of nature. Sometimes, the damage can be mitigated through a proactive maintenance plan, or it can be repaired using a variety of methods. However, in other cases, your only, or your most cost-effective solution, will be a full-depth asphalt paving reconstruction.
What Is a Full-Depth Asphalt Paving Reconstruction?
Basically, a full-depth asphalt paving reconstruction is the demolition of your existing pavement before an asphalt paving company rebuilds it from the ground up. When reconstructing asphalt paving in Chicago, the pavement, its foundation, and, in some cases, a certain depth of the underlying soil will be removed. If asphalt paving contractors need to remove some of the soil, they will replace it so that the subgrade can be properly compacted to provide the pavement with a stable, strong foundation. Typically, Chicago asphalt paving reconstruction also requires the contractor to rebuild the base, which provides the opportunity to increase its strength if necessary. Contractors then install multiple courses of fresh asphalt paving, compacting each before proceeding, so that the depth of the asphalt matches the design specifications.
How Do I Know Whether I Need a Full-Depth Asphalt Paving Reconstruction?
There are some factors that may influence the need to rebuild an asphalt pavement, including the pavement’s age, initial construction quality, and lifetime care. However, there are two factors that are the most useful when deciding whether to reconstruct your asphalt pavement. These are the type of damage and its extent. More than likely, you will need the assistance of a Chicago asphalt paving contractor to fully assess your pavement’s damage. Experienced asphalt paving contractors will know how to identify the cause of the damage as well as how far it extends beneath the surface.
1. Certain types of damage often indicate the structural failure of your asphalt paving. These can include alligator cracking, sinkholes and potholes, longitudinal cracks, severe rutting, or widespread subsidence. In some cases, the source of the damage can be traced back to its original installation. Perhaps the original asphalt paving company failed to compact the soil, base, or asphalt sufficiently, or the company chose the wrong mix. The engineering design may have been flawed, so the pavement could not support the weight of traffic it had to bear. On the other hand, the original installation could have been flawless, and the damage is the result of what happened after construction. For example, the pavement’s use could have changed, so it was forced to support heavier or more numerous vehicles. Maintenance and repairs might have been neglected, allowing water to enter the structure and destroy the supporting foundation. There are many potential causes of damage to asphalt paving in Chicago, but identifying them usually requires an experienced professional. It is essential to identify and correct the cause so that your new pavement will not suffer the same fate.
2. When asphalt paving contractors refer to the extent of the damage, they are not just talking about what you can see on the surface. Instead, they are thinking in three dimensions. You can see the length and width of the damage, but you cannot see its depth. For example, does a crack stop after it reaches a depth of four inches, or does it continue all the way to the base? Has the base been compromised, or is it still largely intact? The answers to such questions are especially critical if the type of damage could be attributed to widespread structural failure. However, they can also help asphalt paving companies determine whether you might be able to salvage your pavement rather than reconstruct it.
Whether you own a local business or represent a national chain, Black Hawk Paving is ready to help you with all your asphalt paving needs. We offer asphalt paving reconstruction and construction, asphalt repairs, hot crack sealing and routing, asphalt sealcoating, asphalt fabric installation, parking lot striping, excavations, pavement markings, sewer repairs, site grading, car stops, and traffic signage. We also offer concrete repair and installation services, including curbing, ramps, truck docks, and other concrete flatwork services. We have provided asphalt paving in Chicago since 1975, establishing an exemplary reputation for professionalism, workmanship, honesty, and service. For a free quote, submit our online request form, or send an email to Info@BlackHawkPaving.com. Call us at 708-479-0400 for a free quotation!
