Asphalt is also, and commonly, known as pavement or blacktop. It is widely used as a road surface in many places around the world. It is a material actually made of asphalt itself mixed with mineral aggregate and then pressed together. It is put down in layers and then compacted to make a smooth riding surface for any type of vehicle. It is used in driveway repair, road repair, parking lot repair, and in many other capacities of construction and repair. It is a fact that of all the parking lots in the U.S., over 90% are constructed of asphalt. More than 18 billion tons of asphalt have been used in the construction of the roads across America.
In the business of building and repairing anything constructed from asphalt, for instance roads, parking lots, and airports, licensed contractors must be hired to handle the job. Very often in the case of an asphalt driveway, years will have taken their toll and the driveway may begin to sink. This could easily happen if the foundation underneath the driveway has a water pipe running underneath that has been leaking for a length of time, or if the foundation was not put down properly. An asphalt driveway, typically, if constructed well and has been protected over time, may not need any major repair work for anywhere from 25 to 50 years. However, there are many unforeseen circumstances that could take place before the end of the driveway’s normal lifespan, under which circumstances contractors would need to do some inspection and repair.
Contractors who build and repair roadways made of asphalt must be licensed and trained in the rules and regulations involved in their construction. When building or repairing driveways, they need to have knowledge of the measurements required that must be adhered to when performing this work. They must know every guideline set down by the government pertaining to their work in order to do their job properly. Well informed contractors will be able to give their customers educated advice about the work that needs to be done before they begin, so that the customer feels confident in the choice of company they’ve chosen to trust with their property.
A new driveway or one that has been recently repaired, will show attractive curb appeal and will blend well with the home. Customers want not only something that is nice to look at, but also a driveway that is durable and will remain that way for years to come. Basically, what they want is a work of art not only to the naked eye, but from below the ground, up. When driveway contractors are called by a customer, they can easily give an over the phone guesstimate; however, if the contractor is thorough in their work, they will physically inspect the property in order to have a better idea of the amount of work involved in the construction or repair. Educated contractors know and understand, for instance, what kind of affect water will have on the concrete poured for the project. They will know that the more water that is mixed into the wet concrete, the thinner the finished product will be, which can only spell disaster not to far into the future. If the asphalt driveway is too thin, it will crack and buckle, and expensive repairs will be necessary long before they should have been.
Contractors will, in addition, understand all of the ins and outs of the business. For the life of the customer’s driveway, a thorough contractor will take the time necessary to be sure that the foundation is laid properly before the actual concrete is poured. The soil underneath needs to be compacted and then another substance laid on top of that, a substance that is crushed and tightly packed. The newly built or repaired driveway not only needs to stand the test of time, but will also be tested every day by the vehicles sitting on top of it.
