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Posts Tagged ‘liquid asphalt’
Friday, June 29th, 2012
You use asphalt every day. But have you ever stopped and wondered to yourself, “Hey, how is asphalt made?” If so, you are not alone. Despite being such an integral part of everyday life, few people know how asphalt is made.
So, without further ado, the process for making asphalt!
- Predose: A belt weigher is used to weigh the aggregate components of asphalt pavement. A belt weigher is used so that the materials can simultaneously be weighed and taken to the next step in the process.
- Drying: The asphalt components are dried in a rotary drying drum at roughly 300 degrees.
- Reweighing: Since drying can alter the weight of the aggregate, it has to be reweighed after drying.
- Storage: The dried components are then sifted and store in silos.
- Mixer: After being transferred to the mixer, binding element, or liquid asphalt is added to the aggregate. Both aggregate and binder are mixed thoroughly to form the paving material.
- Storage Round 2: After mixing, the asphalt is stored in a heated silo. If the asphalt mix cools it cannot be compacted.
- Application: The asphalt is transported by dump trucks to the job site for application.
Hopefully now you know a little bit more about asphalt than you did before!
If you have any further questions about Asphalt or if you 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 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.
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Tags: Aggregate, asphalt experts, binding element, Frequently Asked Questions, How is Asphalt Made?, liquid asphalt, maryland, My Pavement Guy, pavement projects, Predose, process for making asphalt, PTG Enterprises
Posted in General Asphalt Advice, Maryland Asphalt Contractor, Pavement News, The History of Asphalt Pavement | Comments Off on How is Asphalt Made? Frequently Asked Questions Answered by My Pavement Guy
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
There are several benefits to sealcoating, which we will address later. It does much more than just make your asphalt look like new.
When the liquid asphalt holding the aggregate together oxidizes, your asphalt becomes brittle and prone to cracking. Sealer helps to protect your parking lot or other asphalt surface from the harsh effects of nature.
So how often should you seal your asphalt? The general rule is every two years, but there are exceptions. For example, when an asphalt surface is new, it should be sealed the first two years (the first application doesn’t cover as well as the coats that follow). But be careful not to overdo it. When a surface is sealed too much, the sealer will build up and can begin to crack.
Your asphalt should look and feel like asphalt. If it starts to resemble a black skating rink, you’ve sealed to much.
The Benefits of Sealcoating Includes…
Beautifies Pavement
Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. As these photos show, the difference is quite remarkable. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.
Stops Weather Damage
Unsealed pavement allows water to penetrate in and through it. This leads to base erosion, freeze-thaw damage and ultimately pavement failure. sealcoating provides a protective barrier to stop water penetration.
The Asphalt Institute states: “The accumulation of moisture in pavement is probably the greatest cause of pavement distress.”
Prevents Oxidation
Asphalt pavement is made up of asphalt binder and little rocks called aggregate. As the pavement cures, the sun’s rays harden and dry out the asphalt binder and cause the surface to dry out. This causes the asphalt to become dry, brittle and break apart. This oxidation will cause accelerated raveling and erosion, and, if left untreated can reduce asphalt thickness by as much as half in five years.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here today!
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
Sources:
How Often Should I Sealcoat My Driveway? AsphaltAdvisor.com
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How Often Should You Sealcoat Your Asphalt?
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011
You have paid to have your parking lot re-paved with asphalt. So everything is perfect, right? Well, not quite. Replacing or repairing your asphalt parking lot is just the first step in the process.
It can take up to 12 months for liquid asphalt to fully cure. Until this time is up, you should use caution and avoid the following situations:
• When driving on your new asphalt, be conscious that your car should remain in motion as you turn the steering wheel. Turning your wheel while the car is stopped will cause your tires to skid across and grab your new asphalt, causing the surface to scar.
• You should also avoid parking in the same spot every day, as it could cause depressions where the tires sit.
• Anything parked on the pavement with kickstands or trailer jacks can sink into the asphalt. Make sure the surface is protected with a board to displace the weight.
• Gasoline, oil, transmission and power steering fluids can all penetrate into asphalt, softening it and causing structural damage.
Once the asphalt has been sealcoated a few times, the chances of penetration will be diminished.
Sealcoating is a widely used and accepted preventative measure that helps safeguard your parking lot against the harsh effects of gas, oil, salt, weather conditions and oxidation. This coating will significantly reduce the impact of these harsh effects. When applied properly, a sealcoat cures on your parking lot leaving a fresh black finish. There are many ways that sealer may be applied and material mixes may vary as well.
There are several different options available depending on the condition of the lot, previous maintenance schedules and budgets. The cost of sealcoating is only pennies a square yard versus repairs and rehabilitation, which can be as much as twenty times higher. The different types of sealer include:
1. Asphalt Based Sealer
This is the most common type of sealer. This is a tried and true method that has been around forever and is the most economical option. Asphalt based sealer is made from tar emulsion and clay and is applied at approximately 40% – 43% solids. Once applied to the parking lot it cures to a hardened, almost petrified state, and prevents water, oils, etc. from penetrating into the asphalt and deteriorating it. This type of material is best used for two reasons. If the lot has been sealed with coal tar in the past, there are advantages to staying with the same material. Secondly, asphalt based sealer is the least expensive material of the three. The material dries to a flat black and the client can expect a life cycle of 24-48 months depending on the current condition of pavement, volume of traffic and weather.
2. Polymer Modified Asphalt Sealer
Relatively new, this is an asphalt emulsion material that has distinct and ideal applications. It is blended with polymers and special surfactants for superior adhesion, flexibility and durability. Unlike conventional sealer, Polymer Modified Sealer is applied at 58-62% solids. The higher solids count produces several tangible advantages: it will last longer than standard sealers, and it dries faster with exceptional skid resistance in both wet and dry conditions.
3. Rejuvenator Sealer
This is a petroleum based penetrating material designed to absorb into the asphalt. It is best used when the asphalt has never been sealed. Pavement Rejuvenator/Sealer is applied in a one coat application. As pavement ages, essential oils are lost as they volatilize from the pavement leading to cracks and pavement failure. Rejuvenator penetrates the asphalt, restores essential oils, rejuvenates the asphaltic binder and repairs damage within the asphalt matrix.
Regardless of the material that is chosen, the property manager or owner can expect instant curb appeal. A fresh sealcoat will restore a fresh-black color to your lot and fresh paint will make it look new again.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Asphalt, Curing, and Sealcoating
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
Is your driveway in rough shape? Will repairs do the trick? Does it need to be resurfaced? Should you have it redone professionally? These are all questions that homeowners ask themselves when faced with a dilapidated driveway. Ultimately the best thing to do is the contact a professional like My Pavement Guy, but there are some things you can consider on your own.
According to this article on EzineArticles there are some important things to think about before consulting your contractor:
Maintenance is good medicine, but it’s not foolproof
Asphalt driveways don’t remain smooth and black forever. You can take steps to maintain your driveway by sealing and protecting it, but often the effects of heat, ultra-violet rays, and substances such as salt, oil, gas and grease take their toll. And if those don’t get you, then cracking and water penetration eventually will.
Your driveway may be corroded, worn out, or have cracks, which could all warrant a resurfacing job if the condition is severe enough. As a general guide, if repairs are needed on more than 25 percent of the surface, it is more cost-effective to do a hot mix asphalt resurfacing job over the entire driveway.
Say no to cracks!
Asphalt pavement is hard and brittle, and as a result, cracks will develop over time. Ranging from hairline to an inch wide or more, cracks are your driveway’s worst enemy because they let water in. In colder climates, freeze-thaw cycles can be very destructive, and can wreak havoc on your driveway if water penetrates the cracks, then expands as it turns to ice. And even in warmer climates, water penetration can cause serious damage. The larger the crack, the more serious the problem, and the sooner it needs to be fixed. Cracks that are left un-repaired will lead to serious deterioration of the pavement and even to the base layers, requiring complete replacement of the driveway – sooner rather than later in colder climates.
Can it be fixed or do you need a new driveway?
Whether you’ll need to rip out your existing driveway and install a new one, or if you can get away with resurfacing – or even some patchwork and crack-filling – depends largely on the condition of the base layers, or foundation. However, if cracking covers 3/4 of the driveway, the surface is too far gone to repair. The root of the problems may come from lower down, and a complete overhaul should be considered.
If your driveway has been resurfaced several times with hot mix asphalt and keeps deteriorating prematurely, it is likely a problem with the foundation, and you should consider installing a whole new driveway. Likewise, if there are areas that have depressions or mounds, they should be completely reconstructed from the base. If you have several of these areas, a new driveway might make sense.
For any of your asphalt needs or if you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on How to Repair Your Old Asphalt Driveway
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Your pavement will eventually fail. It doesn’t matter how well you maintain your paved surface, it will eventually deteriorate and crack. However, how you deal with those cracks will determine how long your pavement will last. Sealing and/or filling cracks in existing pavement is the single the most effective procedure that can be performed to extend pavement’s lifecycle. This will prevent water and other foreign materials – sand, dirt, et.c – from seeping down into the asphalt where it can cause major distress and failures by weakening the base and sub-base.
This article from PaveManPro.com explains how filling or sealing pavement cracks is the most cost effective way to extend the life of your asphalt pavement.
Crack filling and crack sealing, while similar in nature, offer very different benefits.
Crack filling is less costly and will require less initial investment, but this solution may only be a temporary fix. Once the crack begins to move or expand, the crack filling material will lose its effectiveness and the crack will need to be re-filled. For this reason, crack filling is more effective in milder climates with less temperature change.
Crack filling materials include liquid asphalt, asphalt emulsions and cutbacks.
Crack sealing is a more costly option, but provides a longer life expectancy than crack filling – lasting 8 years or more. Crack sealing – which utilizes a flexible, specially prepared hot pour rubberized sealant – is considered a permanent treatment and is the only effective treatment for active cracks that contract and expand between seasons.
Crack sealing materials include asphalt rubber, rubberized asphalt, low-modulus rubberized asphalt and self-leveling silicone.
So explain your situation and budget to your pavement specialist and come up with a solution that meets your needs and your budget. If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises aka My Pavement Guy by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Crack Sealing versus Crack Filling
Thursday, June 30th, 2011
If you are thinking about having any surface re-paved – driveways, parking lots, roadways, airstrips – asphalt pavement is the way to go. Known for its durability and resilience, asphalt pavement is the best option for most all paved surfaces. If laid properly by a professional pavement company, asphalt pavement should last between 25 and 35 years. But what is asphalt pavement?
This article from PavemanPro.com explains.
Asphalt pavement is made up of a combination of stone (aggregate), sand, additives and liquid (petroleum) asphalt. This mixture is about 90% aggregate and sand and 10% asphalt. This combination forms a highly durable material that still maintains superior flexibility, allowing the surface to adapt to changing conditions produced by weather and the constantly changing surface beneath it. On top of its superior flexibility, asphalt pavement is also highly resistant to water, making it even more durable.
Steps involved in laying asphalt pavement:
1. Preparation: Unless the asphalt is being laid over existing asphalt (overlay), it is the preparation of the ground beneath the pavement that is the most influential factor in the life of an asphalt pavement surface. Proper clearing, excavation, ground compaction and base materials require a great deal of expertise. Base materials can be compacted stone and/or an asphalt base with it’s own unique recipe. Regardless, without proper groundwork the life of the paved surface is greatly reduced.
2. Spray a thin coat of liquid asphalt binder (hot tack) onto the surface using an asphalt distributor. This helps the newly paved surface create a greater bond between it and the surface beneath it.
3. Lay the asphalt pavement using an asphalt paver and compacted using asphalt rollers.
4. A minimum of 24 hours is required for the asphalt mix to solidify before it can be used. If enough time is not allowed for solidification, then it will result in poor a quality pavement.
5. Asphalt maintenance – including cracksealing, pothole patching and sealcoating – can all be used to protect and extend the life of the already long life cycle of asphalt pavement.
If you have any questions or if you think asphalt pavement might be right for your next project, contact PTG Enterprises by calling 410-636-8777 or click here
Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Why Asphalt Pavement?
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Pavement ants, also known as house ants or sugar ants, can be quite a nuisance. They set up camp in your yard or inside the cracks in your pavement and eventually work their way into your home. The best thing to do when you find pavement ants is to rid yourself of the infestation as soon as possible.
But how can you do that? You are no exterminator and you don’t want to have to run to the hardware store to buy ant spray, right? Well, you can use one household item to help assist you in your quest for an ant free existence – salt.
That’s right, all you need is everyday salt. This article from eHow.com explains several solutions to rid yourself of those pesky pavement ants using nothing but common table salt.
1. Sprinkle ordinary table salt on cracks in the driveway, along the sides and where the ants are present. Make sure the driveway and surrounding areas are dry before applying salt for the best effectiveness.
2. Repeat weekly until the ants are gone. After consuming the salt, the ants will drink water or other moisture until they essentially explode. Be aware that the salt will also kill any weeds or plants present, so use caution.
3. Draw a line with salt at the end of the driveway on the pavement to prevent the ants from crossing over into the lawn or home.
4. If table salt is not effective, purchase a sweet ant bait trap that contains boric acid salt. (Boric acid is a hydroponic salt.) The ants are attracted to the sugar in the bait, consume the boric acid salt with the sugar, and then take the poison back to their home, where it spreads to the other ants.
5. Place the ant baits along the sides and ends of the driveway. Use caution when using ant baits because boric acid can be toxic to pets and humans as well as insects.
If you have any questions, contact PTG Enterprises by calling410-636-8777 or click here today!
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Posted in General Asphalt Advice | 3 Comments »
Saturday, February 12th, 2011
Practically every industry or business segment in this nation is represented by a local, regional, or national trade group. Ours is no exception. PTG Enterprises, Inc. — MYpavementGUY.com — belongs to the Asphalt Institute (AI), a trade association founded in 1919. Our membership in AI with petroleum asphalt producers, manufacturers, and affiliated businesses, helps us keep current on the engineering, research, and educational aspects of liquid asphalt use. In fact, AI’s members represent 90 percent of the liquid asphalt produced in North America.
This would simply be interesting information of questionable relevance for the average client were it not for the fact that our membership in AI yields specific benefits to the clients of MYpavementGUY.com. Foremost among these benefits are the technical support and environmental oversight that AI offers to its members. Through various committees and partnerships, the Asphalt Institute serves its members as a center of excellence for health, safety, and environmental matters — topics that, like us, our clients care about. AI promotes petroleum asphalt as a safe and environmentally friendly construction material for highways, streets, and roofing systems through a program of scientific research and technological developments. AI’s network of regional engineers throughout the U.S. and Canada provides technical support to member companies and users, and so we can tap fast and accurate information if we have questions about a particular project.
A thoroughly professional organization such as ours is happy to be affiliated with a trade group with the size and scope of AI, and we hope our clients understand how beneficial such an affiliation is when they entrust their projects to us.
Tags: AI, Asphault Institute, liquid asphalt, My Pavement Guy, pave, pavement, paving, paving contractor, PTG Enterprises
Posted in General Asphalt Advice | Comments Off on Info about the Asphalt Institute
