Commercial Paving for the greater Chicagoland and Midwest Area!
Commercial Paving for the greater Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area!
Whether you had a contractor build an entirely new pavement or install an overlay, you expected it to have a smooth surface. If your pavement has a surface that is uneven, bumpy, or rough, this is virtually always a sign that your asphalt paving contractor made a mistake when constructing or resurfacing your pavement. These mistakes usually involve either the asphalt mix or the compaction of the asphalt.
There are two mistakes that a paving company can make when preparing a mix that can affect the smoothness of an asphalt pavement.
1. Whether they are preparing a residential or commercial paving mix, they must use enough asphalt to thoroughly coat the aggregate and bind everything together. The contractor providing your paving services may have made this error if you notice chips or lumps in your pavement.
2. A paving company must choose the correct aggregate mix. A good mix will contain crushed rock as well as sand or other small particulates so that compaction will knit everything into a strong, stable pavement. Although it may sound counterintuitive, the rocks in the mix should not be rounded or have smooth edges. Smooth, round rocks are extremely difficult to compact properly because they allow more space between them. The pavement’s integrity is impacted, and it can deteriorate easily, leaving the surface rough and uneven.
Proper compaction is critical, especially on commercial paving projects. If the surface of your pavement is littered with loose rocks, has a rough texture, or foot traffic is removing bits of aggregate or asphalt, a compaction error is a likely cause. Each layer of asphalt must be compacted while it is hot, including the surface layer. When performing asphalt paving Chicago contractors must schedule the deliveries of the hot asphalt carefully, and they must have the right equipment and sufficient staffing to place and compact the asphalt efficiently. Whether they are building a new highway, making a parking lot repair, or installing an asphalt overlay, contractors must ensure that the asphalt is thoroughly and correctly compacted.
Errors in the mix design and compaction can apply to both new construction and an asphalt overlay installation, but there are some issues that are limited to overlays. Here are some tips to help avoid a bumpy overlay.
1. If a parking lot maintenance company has applied sealcoating to your pavement, it is best to wait at least a year before you install an asphalt overlay.
2. If crack sealant is present, an overlay should not be installed until the sealant is properly cured, which usually takes a minimum of six months.
3. Your contractor may need to apply a tack coat to ensure strong adhesion of the overlay.
4. Make sure that your contractor has the right rollers and skilled operators. The goal is to make as few passes as possible with the roller, use a slower speed for the final compaction, and avoid the use of a breakdown roller whenever possible.
Black Hawk Paving is a Chicago paving contractor and we have been providing exceptional paving services since 1975. We offer a full range of services, including asphalt repair and paving, concrete flatwork, asphalt overlays, parking lot striping, site grading, asphalt milling, traffic signage, and parking lot maintenance. We are known for our remarkable craftsmanship, professionalism, and exemplary service. If you would like to request a free quote, simply complete the online form, or you can email Info@BlackHawkPaving.com. If you want to call us, call 708-401-6689 if you are in one of the southern suburbs, 847-240-2560 if you are in one of the northwestern suburbs, or 773-378-2390 if you are in Chicago.
Our team has provided commercial and industrial paving installation and maintenance services to our clients in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs for more than 46 Years in Business- 1975.
