The type of asphalt mixture differs depending on the specific times of the year such as winter and summer.

Did you know that various types of asphalt are used across the paving industry? To the untrained eye, asphalt pavement looks the same. But to experienced asphalt contractors, the texture, gradation, and material ratios significantly differ in the type of asphalt mixture used during specific times of the year.

What is Hot (Summer) Asphalt?

Hot or hot mix asphalt is usually used for summer paving projects. It’s typically available from April until December. Also, hot mix asphalt is ideal for paving large surface areas like long residential driveways, commercial parking lots, and major and minor side roads. Plus, the asphalt mixture must remain at its mixing temperature of around 270-275 degrees Fahrenheit or higher so it can stick entirely to the ground.

What is Winter Asphalt?

In contrast, winter asphalt is composed of cold mix aggregate. It’s typically available during the coldest months of the year in the Northern hemisphere: January, February, and March. Winter is also the season for patch jobs in the asphalt pavement industry. Patching requires smaller batches of asphalt than paving a whole parking lot, driveway, or road.

Moreover, asphalt paving projects halt during winter since the snow and ice don’t make for excellent working conditions. Unlike summer asphalt, winter asphalt doesn’t have to remain at a specific temperature to be usable. If your asphalt parking lot needs maintenance work due to winter damages, then you can schedule to have repairs done during your closing or off-peak hours to reduce your downtime.

Selecting the Right Asphalt Mixture for Your Property

In addition, three primary factors determine the asphalt type mix you need for your property.

·  Whether you need winter or summer asphalt depends on the time of year.

·  The type of the paving project impacts the applications of hot and cold mix asphalt.

·  Your exact location also makes a difference because countries in various time zones have different summer and winter climates.

So, are you ready to call on the help of a professional asphalt paving company for your project?

Call Tristate Paving. We’re a seasoned hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you turn your backyard into the perfect retreat quickly and affordably. Our experts will work with you to find a design and layout for the outdoor kitchen and dining area that you’re sure to love for years and years to come.

Our area numbers are:

West Chester: 610.563.9456

Oxford: 610.932.3566

Delaware: 302.757.4100

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt, or hardscaping work.

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The post How Does Summer Asphalt Differ from Winter Asphalt? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.

Asphalt patches come in a variety of forms.

Cold Patch   

Cold patch is incredibly available and easy to install. This type of patch can be bought in 50 pound bags from retail home improvement chains. Cold patch can be installed easily with a shovel and square hand tamper. This temporary method of repair is used to remove the risks of safety hazards or car tire damage until professional repairs can be done to address the extent of the asphalt damage.  

Infrared Asphalt Restoration

This is an effective ‘green’ asphalt repair method. First, an infrared heater heats the pot hole to 400 degrees. Then the pot hole is scarified with a steel tooth rake. Fresh plant mix asphalt is installed and a rejuvenator is applied to older asphalt. Finally, this is compacted with a vibratory roller. Hot boxes are used to keep the fresh mix asphalt at the proper temperature.  

Infrared Asphalt Restoration is convenient because it can be done entirely independent of the asphalt plant schedule, as the hot box keeps the asphalt heated. Infrared asphalt restoration can repair all types of damage permanently, except for alligator cracking. This method is both convenient and environmentally friendly.

Saw Cut and Removal

Saw cut removal is an in depth method of asphalt repair. It is used to fix alligator cracked pavement. Saw cut and removal involves marking areas of asphalt failure with marking paint, snapping a chalk line, saw cutting the perimeter, excavating to a depth of 2-6 inches, replacing it in 1-2 lifts of new plan hot mix asphalt, and compacting with a vibrancy roller. The new saw cut joint is sealed with a hot rubberized crack sealant to prevent water from doing further asphalt damage.   

Skin Patching/Surface Patching

Skin patching, also referred to as surface patching, is a temporary asphalt patch which is more long lasting than cold patch, but not permanent like saw cut removal or infrared restoration. This method is utilized when emergency repairs need to be made in high-traffic areas.

Get In Touch With Tristate Paving Today  

We are an experienced hardscaping company based in Maryland and have the experience and knowledge to help you correct any winter weather asphalt damage.

Contact us at any one of our here locations: West Chester at (610) 563-9456, Oxford at (610) 932-3566, or Delaware (302) 757-4100.

Check back here for weekly updates on current projects, important paving facts and info, and smart ideas for homeowners interested in concrete, asphalt or hardscaping work.

The post What are the Different Types of Asphalt Patches? appeared first on Tristate Paving Company.