5 Steps Involved in Replacing Asphalt Pavement

When your asphalt finally wears out and routine repairs and maintenance are no longer able to provide a safe, smooth, and attractive surface, then it’s time to have that pavement replaced. At Stripe A Lot, our paving experts have the tools, equipment, and expertise to provide a wide range of residential and commercial repaving services upon request. Contact us today if you have questions or need your West Michigan driveway, road, path, or parking lot affordably serviced!

The asphalt replacement and repaving process generally involves 5 steps:

Step 1. Demolition

Existing asphalt or concrete surfaces must be removed as the first step. This requires heavy machinery to break up the worn out pavement, load it up, and haul it away. It gets noisy, and it’s not something the average homeowner can handle by themselves.

It’s important to note that old asphalt pavement can often be reclaimed and recycled to use as new pavement, keeping construction materials out of the dump and ultimately benefiting the economy and the environment.

Step 2. Grading and Sloping

Once the ground is clear, it is graded and sloped for proper water drainage and flow. This grading process is vital for directing water away from the driveway, road, or parking lot and helps avoid flooding or long-term water damage once the project is complete.

Step 3. The Sub Base

If the ground is not properly stabilized prior to paving, it can move and shift, tearing and breaking down the asphalt laid over top. So, before asphalt is brought in, a sub base is installed to provide a stable surface able to support the pavement above. The thickness and level of compaction of the base will vary from project to project, and is determined by the anticipated use and wear level of the pavement.

Step 4. Tack Coating

Tack coat is a bonding layer made from an asphalt emulsion mix. It goes over the sub base and helps to create a strong bond between the sub base and the incoming asphalt layer.

Step 5. Asphalt Installation

Asphalt is famous for offering a smooth, clean, dark-black surface that works well for any driveway or parking lot. The asphalt is poured out hot and smoothed over, compacted using a heavy roller, then allowed to cure for several hours. This curing process requires a great deal less time than concrete, which should not be used for several days.

Once ready, the asphalt can be striped and opened to traffic. Just remember to follow the recommended maintenance schedule for sealcoating and crack filling and your new driveway, road, or parking lot will be ready to reliably serve your needs for decades to come!