Little Rock Asphalt Paving Mistakes That You Should Know About
Little Rock asphalt paving is a substantial investment, but it can benefit your property for decades! No matter your property’s purpose or size, asphalt paving makes it safer and more accessible while enhancing curb appeal. All that said, asphalt paving in Arkansas is more complex than most realize.
A lot can go wrong with asphalt paving. Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes that could happen during a paving project and why you should turn to experienced Little Rock paving companies to get the job done right.
Why is Base Preparation so Critical?
Any reputable Little Rock paving company will know just how important sub-base preparation is for your new surface. Your asphalt paving needs a strong and reliable foundation to sit on. Otherwise, it can suffer from structural integrity issues. The problem is that raw soil is rarely ready to accommodate the weight of asphalt and traffic.
Sub-base preparation is a crucial part of the Arkansas asphalt paving process. Little Rock paving contractors should assess the soil and develop a plan to achieve the load-bearing capacity your pavement requires. Typically, sub-base preparation involves amending the soil with additional aggregate. Then, teams must compact the material to build a solid foundation.
This step involves precise engineering, and Little Rock paving contractors must spend enough time getting things just right.
How Do Skilled Little Rock Paving Companies Ensure Proper Drainage Management?
Asphalt is tough, but it can quickly deteriorate with frequent water exposure. Your asphalt’s biggest enemy is standing water caused by a lack of proper drainage. Water can degrade the material, causing cracks that allow moisture to seep into the foundation. Before you know it, that water erodes the soil, resulting in potholes, alligator cracking and severe integrity issues.
A skilled Little Rock paving company will spend time creating the proper elevation. Asphalt needs a subtle slope to direct water into the appropriate drainage infrastructure. Like sub-base preparation, achieving the right elevation is crucial. Little Rock paving companies that fail to prioritize drainage management may leave you with a surface destined to fail in only a few short years.
How Does the Thickness and Material Formulation Impact Paving?
The thickness of your asphalt paving and the materials used directly impact strength, load-bearing capacity and more. Little Rock asphalt contractors will engineer your surface to meet your unique needs. For example, pavement in parking lots must be substantially thicker than surfaces on residential properties, ensuring it can accommodate the weight of non-stop traffic.
The same applies to the material mix. Little Rock asphalt companies must choose the right aggregates and material ratio. Improper thickness and material mix may cause pavement to buckle under the weight of traffic.
Does New Arkansas Asphalt Paving Require Sealcoating?
Sealcoating is a crucial part of maintaining asphalt paving in Arkansas. Typically, you must hire Little Rock paving contractors every three to five years for a fresh coat. But what about the first one?
Failing to seal your Arkansas asphalt paving will make it susceptible to water penetration and oxidation caused by UV rays. There’s also an increased risk of corrosion caused by leaking vehicle fluids. Experienced Little Rock paving companies will return to your property roughly three months after your paving project to apply the first coat of sealer.
Timing is paramount. Your asphalt paving in Arkansas needs several months to cure fully before sealcoating. Your contractors should time application accordingly for optimal protection.
Want to avoid these mistakes and more? Turn to Straight and Narrow Striping! We’re a faith-based Little Rock paving company founded with a dedication to quality work and fairness. Our team works hard to do the job right, providing excellent customer service and great communication from start to finish.
We’re available for all your asphalt paving needs, including sealcoating, crack filling, repairs, parking lot striping, power washing and surface cleaning. Get your free quote today by calling Straight and Narrow Striping at (501)208-6399, emailing Sandnstriping@gmail.com or using our online contact form.