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Posts Tagged ‘Asphalt cement’

Asphalt Pavement Deterioration: Maryland DC, & Virginia Asphalt Contractor

Friday, September 14th, 2012

Asphalt is used everywhere, from roads and parking lots to runways and more. And why not? Asphalt boasts several benefits, including:

  • Asphalt has excellent waterproofing properties.
  • Asphalt has excellent binding (or cementing) properties to hold the aggregates in the pavement.
  • Asphalt pavement has a long life & resurfacing is quick.
  • Asphalt is America’s most recycled material.
  • Asphalt is the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly pavement on the market.
  • And more!

Still, asphalt has a few major deficiencies as well. Asphalt has very poor resistance to weathering and is easily attacked by chemicals, gasoline, oils, and deicing salts. All of these elements work together to break down the asphalt, degrading the asphaltic oils from the surface as chemicals dissolve them away. And with the loss of asphalt cement, the aggregates in the top layer begin unraveling and develop the first sign of pavement deterioration; the appearance of minor surface cracks.

Over time, cracking will become more prevalent. And if not repaired, these cracks will allow water to penetrate sub-base and base layers, causing them to lose their ability to effectively bear traffic loads. Eventually, this will cause the asphalt pavement to fail.

To prevent further erosion of your asphalt pavement, or to fix a problem so it does not get any worse before winter, call PTG Enterprises for a property evaluation. You can expect a fair proposal, professionalism and quality work.  A good contractor is hard to find!

Discover the difference with PTG Enterprises!

If you have any further questions, please contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777, or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of Maryland, DC, and Virginia pavement projects and have the experience you need.

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Crack Sealing: An indispensable pavement protection procedure

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

There is no argument that all asphalt cement (AC) pavements crack. Cracks in asphalt pavements are inevitable. Neglect and lack of proper maintenance lead to accelerated cracking and/or potholing, further reducing the serviceability of the pavement. There are numerous reasons, which can be broadly categorized, in four distinct classes.

  • Pavement Construction: Examples in this category include flaws in the selection of the right type of asphalt mix, poor mix design, engineering defects, unsuitable ambient conditions, etc. If all of these factors meet design criteria, bpoor workmanship may be considered as a cause for premature failure of the pavement.
  • Traffic Frequency & Load: Fatigue cracking and rutting are the two principal considerations in the pavement design process because they are the primary mode of deterioration of asphalt pavements.
  • Deterioration of the asphalt cement binder, primarily due to weathering under the degrading effects of ultraviolet radiation.
  • Climatic conditions, and pavement expansion and contractions due to temperature variations, and freeze thaw cycles.

Once cracks develop, water easily penetrates into the base and sub-base of the pavement and damages the structural integrity of the aggregate materials. Pavement joint and crack sealants are designed to protect the pavement by minimizing water infiltration and by preventing the accumulation of debris. It has been amply demonstrated and documented that sealing cracks in flexible pavements is a sound preventive maintenance procedure, which adds many years to the life of the pavement, especially when used in conjunction with other preventive techniques such as slurry seal, chip seals and sealcoating.

  • Crack sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to prolong the pavement life, as much as 3- 8 years.

To help prolong, improve or replace the pavement in your world, contact the experts!

If you have any further questions about Asphalt Crack Sealing or have a project that you need completed, then contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy today by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today! The asphalt experts here have managed hundreds of pavement projects and have the experience you need.

Give me the opportunity to impress you. I can be your one stop ‘Pavement Guy,’ for any pavement project regardless of size or scope.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!

Asphalt Pavement Frequently Asked Questions

Friday, October 7th, 2011

At PTG Enterprises, we get tons of questions about asphalt pavement. What is it made from? Can it be recycled? Is it cost-effective? Well, we will answer those questions and more. Below you will find the most Frequently Asked Questions about Asphalt Pavement:

Q: What is Asphalt Pavement made from?

A: Asphalt pavement is made from heated Asphalt cement mixed with crushed, dried stone called aggregate.

Q: Isn’t Asphalt pavement made entirely of price-sensitive petroleum products . . . crude oil.

A: No. Only about 5-6% of asphalt pavement is actually petroleum based.

Q: Is Asphalt Pavement cost-effective?

A: Yes. When compared to other pavement types, asphalt is the economical choice in both the short and long run. When you combine asphalt’s strength and durability with its affordable installation and maintenance, asphalt just blows other pavements away.

Q: Does Asphalt production contribute to greenhouse gases and global warming?

A: No. Asphalt has the smallest overall carbon footprint of any pavement and neither the asphalt itself nor its production are major sources of green house gasses.

Q: Can Asphalt pavement be recycled and reused?

A: Yes. It is by far the most reusable pavement material in the U.S.

Q: Is Asphalt good for anything other than roads?

A: Yes. Asphalt can be used for parking lots, airports, sidewalks, driveways and basketball courts…just to name a few of its uses.

If you have any additional questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777or click here today!

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!