Sunday, March 16, 2014

Install Paved Driveways With Help Of Asphalt Company Maryland Area

By Jaclyn Hurley


A properly installed asphaltic driveway and parking lot creates a good impression in your home and business. If you want to install quality driveways or parking lots, you can consult asphalt company Maryland area. The life expectancy of asphalt pavements is determined by the kind of materials used, and the skills applied. If well constructed, asphaltic pavements can have a life expectancy of about 25 years or even more.

The driveways are designed of materials such as sand, asphalt, and aggregate stones, which make them more durable and flexible. The structures will contract and expand easily thus minimizing structural stress. A new asphalt material has more flexibility because it has not dried up completely. In addition, the material contains lighter hydrocarbon oils, which make its DNA structure.

Crushed gravel stones or aggregates make the foundation, which supports the blacktop. The foundation has to be compacted properly in order to support heavy loads. Properly constructed foundation promotes stability of the structure ensuring that it lasts for long. If the contractors lay about five to eight inches of crushed stones beneath asphaltic layer, this offers greater stability.

When the gravel is laid in a thickness of about five to eight inches, it supports the blacktop pavement materials and allows the structure to last for long. A good foundation allows the driveways or parking lots to last for many years without experiencing major structural defects. Once you have constructed your pavements, you need to seal them in order to protect the blacktop.

The outer surface of asphaltic materials is vulnerable to effects of sunlight and water. The ultraviolet rays from sunlight increase the rate of oxidation meaning that the material dries up fast than intended. Usually, asphalt undergoes a natural oxidizing process that lasts its lifetime. This means that, if the process of oxidizing is accelerated, the material will age fast and fail prematurely.

In order to preserve its quality, it has to be seal coated. Applying a sealcoat on asphaltic material restores its visco-elasticity. It also helps protect the material from effects of sunlight and water. Sunlight heats the paving material and makes it dry fast. The oxidation process of that material is accelerated due to ultraviolet rays meaning that it ages fast than desired.

Before sealing, the new asphaltic material has to cure and dry out the excess oils. Applying sealing products in an uncured material will not adhere well to the surface. If the surface is sealed too quickly, the hydrocarbon oils will make the materials to be too flexible. Applying a sealant product on driveways before the blacktop cures makes the material to be too flexible. This means that it will show greater marks over time.

You will need about 6 to 12 months before the new blacktop cures properly to allow for seal coating. If you apply a seal coat too quickly, the surface will be too flexible, and it may form highly visible marks over time. When paving the driveways, you need to put at least two coats of quality sealer and the process is repeated after every 2 to 5 years. If you take good care of your asphaltic pavement, it will definitely add character to your home or business.




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