Do you have questions or concerns about the quality of your newly paved asphalt surface?
Perhaps a local asphalt paving company has just installed a new parking lot for your business, provided an addition to your property, or resurfaced your ranch driveway.
In any case, you want to ensure that your asphalt surface was installed to the standards that were agreed upon by both parties. Even more importantly, you want to be sure that your asphalt surface is going to last for years to come!
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to quickly and easily assess the quality of your asphalt. Just follow the four tips below!
1. Look out for cracks, holes, and bumps
Cracks, holes, bumps, and other blemishes are some of the earliest warning signs of a poorly paved asphalt surface.
The truth is that, if your pavement is relatively new, the first few years should involve very minimal asphalt repairs beyond basic preventative maintenance—such as cleaning and sealcoating.
If you notice cracks and other blemishes beginning to form, the reality is that there may be issues at the foundation or with the asphalt mixture itself. In any case, it’s important to address these problems as soon as they arise. Neglecting them will result in constant maintenance and asphalt repairs for years to come.
2. Keep an eye out for standing water
A high-quality asphalt surface should last for a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years or more. Poor drainage, however, is an issue that causes many asphalt surfaces to break down prematurely—long before their due date.
Fortunately, you can quickly and easily assess your own pavement’s drainage with the help of a little precipitation. After rainfall, go outside and take a close look at all areas of your pavement.
Proper drainage will cause water to seamlessly run off your surface, while poor drainage will result in standing water.
3. Look for a smooth transition between new and old pavement
If your paving contractor has provided an addition to an existing parking lot, roadway, or driveway, part of their job is to create a smooth and seamless transition between old and new pavement.
Take a look at the edge of your new asphalt to determine whether the two sections are level and connected. Then, if possible, slowly drive over the transition with your vehicle. It should be relatively smooth and you should notice little difference between the new and old asphalt!
4. Ask about the thickness of your asphalt
For pavement to last as long as possible, it must have enough asphalt to support heavy traffic and equipment. Unfortunately, certain asphalt paving companies will provide the bare minimum in order to conserve materials.
Ask your paving contractor to confirm the thickness of your pavement. Driveways should have at least four inches of asphalt, while parking lots should have even more—depending on your pavement’s load requirements.
Do you need top-notch commercial asphalt paving for your Toronto business? Call Empire Paving today. As one of the premier Toronto paving companies, our commitment to quality and professionalism is unmatched!
We were very pleased with the professional job done by Empire Paving this fall.
Luciano and his team were very reliable, knowledgeable and able to handle all issues that arose during completion of this project. We would highly
recommend Empire Paving for any paving job!