Posted on 3/20/2018 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Spring is almost here! This means you may begin to notice that the condition of your asphalt pavement is less than optimal. Minnesota winters are hard on asphalt parking lots, roadways, and trails, causing cracks to form or expand through freeze-thaw cycles. Spring is an excellent time to assess the condition of your asphalt pavements so you can start budgeting and preparing for any maintenance or rehabilitation your pavement may need this summer.
Posted on 2/21/2018 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Water is one of asphalt’s “natural enemies.” Puddles of water on an asphalt pavement will slowly break down the asphalt and cause a pothole to form. Water deteriorates asphalt by breaking the bonds between the asphalt binder and the rocks and sand. Asphalt binder is a by-product produced from crude oil during gasoline production, and water and oil don’t mix.
Posted on 2/6/2018 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Winter is a “hard” time for asphalt pavements, literally. Asphalt pavements are produced and constructed at high temperatures when the asphalt binder is a liquid so it can be easily mixed with the rocks and sand. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, asphalt is flexible and stretchy in the warm weather, helping to prevent cracks from forming. However, as temperatures decrease during winter, the asphalt becomes harder and stronger, but also more brittle. Extreme cold temperatures can cause pavements to crack, but the most damage to pavements is caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
Posted on 1/16/2018 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Bituminous Roadways, Inc. specializes in asphalt repair and maintenance. In fact, we spend as much time maintaining older asphalt pavement as we do paving new asphalt. Why? Because over time asphalt experiences wear and tear and may become worn out. Asphalt needs to be maintained and repaired from time to time, allowing it to keep its resilience for up to 25 years. Developing a maintenance plan for your asphalt surface can help prevent serious damage and increase your pavements longevity.
Posted on 1/2/2018 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Asphalt pavements are widely used for roads, parking lots, industrial surfaces, recreational surfaces, and walking trails. Asphalt pavements are made by combining rocks and sand to a particular recipe and then adding asphalt cement as the black sticky glue that holds the pavement together.
Posted on 12/19/2017 8:00 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Every year, Bituminous Roadways, Inc. produces over half a million tons of asphalt for paving new roadways, athletic surfaces, trails, and parking lots. We work closely with our clients on every project. This way we can help our customers avoid common mistakes costing them extra time and money. How can we save you both? Read our short guide below on how you can prepare for your upcoming asphalt paving project.
Posted on 3/23/2017 8:46 AM By David Farris, P.E.
Since 1937, Minnesota has enforced spring load restrictions each year as temperatures begin to rise. These spring load restrictions are determined for each state, county and city road, and they restrict the weight of a single axle to less than 5-10 tons. This restriction will not affect any commuter vehicles, but it does have a big impact on commercial vehicles.
Posted on 2/1/2017 8:57 AM By David Farris, P.E.
With air temperatures last week in Minneapolis and Saint Paul reaching 40°F in January, and now a cold front sweeping in, we thought it would be appropriate to highlight some of the seasonal weather effects on asphalt pavements.
Posted on 10/20/2016 9:22 AM By David Farris, P.E.
The American Chemistry Society (ACS) has designated this week (Oct. 16-22) to be National Chemistry Week. All across the United State, “local ACS sections, businesses, schools, and individuals are invited to organize or participate in events in their communities with a common goal: to promote the value of chemistry in everyday life.” Bituminous Roadways, Inc. is contributing to this common goal by providing some simplified insight into the chemistry of asphalt.
Posted on 10/13/2016 9:28 AM By David Farris, P.E.
We are fast approaching the winter season – with leaves falling and the temperatures dropping, the time for getting your last minute parking lot repairs completed is NOW! Potholes and cracks are serious business, particularly once the snow and ice take over.