Q: What's
a better pavement, asphalt or concrete?
A: Concrete is better by far.
Q: Why
do people use asphalt, if concrete is better?
A: Asphalt is 20-40% cheaper than concrete. The smaller the job is, the closer
the price gets.
Q: What
is the most critical factor in a good asphalt job?
A: The base is the most important factor in an asphalt job. If the base is
not installed thick enough it will not bear the load and the asphalt on top
of the base will also fail. Nine times out of ten, if the asphalt is cracking,
the base is too thin.
Q: How
thick should base be?
A: 4 - 5 inches for residential, 5 - 7 inches for commercial, 7 - 10 inches
for industrial.
Q: What
types of bases are available in the Houston area?
A: Limestone and recycled concrete are the two main products used for the
base in the Houston area. These products can also come stabilized (Portland
cement added).
Q: What
does the base do?
A: The base will interlock and spread the load of the vehicles weight.
Q: How
thick should the asphalt be?
A: 1 ½ inch is usually sufficient.
Q: How
long do you have to work asphalt when it is layed down?
A: Only a few minutes before it starts to cool down and become unworkable
Q: What
size roller should be used on hot asphalt?
A: 1 - 2 ton on patch work, 3 - 5 ton on new work.
Q: What
is in-place stabilization?
A: This is a process of grinding up your old base and asphalt. Portland cement
is then added and wet down. New asphalt is then installed on top of this new
base.
Q: What
is asphalt sealer coat?
A: Sealer is a water base coal tar emulsion that is applied to asphalt.
Q: What
does sealer do?
A: It protects the asphalt from drying out (oxidation). It also protects the
asphalt from water and oil damage. Sealer works much the same way as when
you paint wood.
Q: What
are the most critical factors for a good seal coat?
A: First, the asphalt needs to clean. and next is the rate of application.
I recommend fifty square feet to the gallon