A pavement's life cycle starts when it is first constructed, with the aggregate base correctly graded to the design thickness and the asphalt pavement properly installed. Over time, distress slowly deteriorates the pavement until it becomes unusable or so deteriorated that routine maintenance would be ineffective.
Pavement repair is integral to a pavement's life cycle by extending its service life. As your local expert in pavement solutions in Mendota Heights, Bituminous Roadways, Inc. understands how to restart the clock on your pavement investment.
We’re here to explain six ways to repair your asphalt pavement:
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Asphalt Pavement Overlay
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Mill & Overlay
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Remove & Replace
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Asphalt Reclaiming
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Stabilized Full Depth Reclamation
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Full Reconstruction
Let’s dive in!
1. Asphalt Pavement Overlay
There are several effective pavement repair techniques to consider. They all address common problems like cracking, erosion, and structural failure, ensuring your asphalt surfaces last longer and perform better.
Overlays refresh the pavement's surface and curb appeal but are only recommended for pavements still performing well. If the project has curbs, the pavement will be edge-milled so that the new asphalt surface matches the existing curb.
Asphalt overlays are susceptible to reflection cracking caused by the existing cracks in the pavement (below the overlay).
2. Mill & Overlay
A mill and overlay refreshes the pavement's surface, much like a normal overlay, but also allows for correcting drainage issues.
This repair method uses a milling machine to remove two or more inches of the existing pavement surface, and then the milled surface is overlaid with new asphalt pavement.
A mill and overlay project is susceptible to reflection cracking, and areas with fatigue cracking or potholes should be corrected before performing the mill and overlay.
3. Remove & Replace
The “remove and replace” repair technique does exactly as the name indicates: It removes the existing asphalt from the aggregate base and replaces it with new pavement layers.
Because the existing asphalt is completely removed, the new pavement will not be susceptible to cracking. Additional material may need to be added or removed from the aggregate base layer to replace any loss during the removal process or to adjust the grade for proper surface drainage.
Pavements ideal for this technique have a high-quality, strong aggregate base layer with a severely cracked or deteriorated asphalt surface.
4. Asphalt Reclaiming
Reclamation is another method of repairing asphalt, and it’s the most eco-friendly method on our list. It involves grinding up the entire layer of asphalt and some of the material beneath it, mixing them to form a solid base for new pavement.
Asphalt reclaiming is considered a green option because it recycles the old asphalt on the spot, saving money on transportation. As a bonus, it tackles problems beneath the surface, extending the life of your parking lot by up to 30 years!
5. Stabilized Full Depth Reclamation
Stabilized full-depth reclamation is similar to regular reclamation, but it uses cement or asphalt emulsion to strengthen the base. Once mixed, the base is quickly smoothed out before it hardens, forming a solid foundation for laying asphalt.
This technique works well for roads with weak soil underneath or drainage issues.
6. Full Reconstruction
Full reconstruction means completely removing the old road surface, including the asphalt and the layers underneath it, down to a depth equal to or greater than what the new road will need. After that, the road is rebuilt with fresh base layers and asphalt.
This method is best for roads with a poor design or that are too worn out to fix.
Expert Asphalt Repair in Minnesota: Bituminous Roadways, Inc.
Repair should be included in any pavement management plan. However, sometimes, repair isn't an option for asphalt. If your pavement has a poor foundation or lacks a structure supporting the intended traffic, reconstruction may be necessary.
Bituminous Roadways, Inc. has over 75 years of experience building, maintaining, and repairing asphalt pavements. If you feel your pavement has reached the point of no return, contact us at 651-686-7001 or complete our online consultation form.