Concrete Repair and Maintenance Ideas and Strategies

There are numerous materials that are ideal for construction of residential and commercial pavements. Asphalt concrete is a popular choice because it is versatile and can be utilised in creating durable surfaces. Basically, asphalt is a composite material that consists of mineral aggregate, and it is mixed and bound together using bitumen or other binders. When this mixture is compacted, the surface is dense and can support a lot of weight. If you are thinking about installing this type of material in your property, you will need to evaluate different asphalt formulations. Your choice will determine the load bearing capacity of the pavement. Here are the primary materials to consider selecting for your project.

Hot Mix Asphalt

The hot mix asphalt mixture is created by heating the binder intended to hold the aggregate together. The high temperature reduces the viscosity of the binder to allow efficient mixing of the formulation. Additionally, the mineral aggregate is dried completely because moisture can affect the binding capacity. The mixing process is performed at the high temperatures to create an ideal binder and aggregate formulation. The exact temperature of operation will depend on the exact ingredients utilised. The asphalt is poured and compacted to create the surface while still hot. As the material cools, the density increases and the pavement built will be highly resilient. This formulation is expensive, but it is ideal for your project if the pavement will experience high traffic.

Warm Mix Asphalt

You should consider choosing warm mix asphalt if the financial and labour demands of the hot mix alternative are not ideal. This type of formulation is produced by mixing asphalt binder with other materials prior to the mixing procedure. Basically, when materials such as zeolites, waxes or even water are added to binder, they will allow your contractor to create consistent asphalt mixture at lower temperatures. This means that your project will not demand high amounts of energy to heat the binder. You will enjoy lower project costs and contribute to a healthier environment since there will be fewer noxious emissions.

Mastic Asphalt

You can select mastic asphalt, which is also known as sheet asphalt, for your paving project. This formulation is created in a mixer or green cooker. Generally, you will need hard grade bitumen, and this will be heated in the mixer to create a viscous fluid. The aggregate will be added to the bitumen, producing the paving mixture. The formulation will be poured on the worksite, and the pavement will be thick and impenetrable after the asphalt dries.

For more information about your asphalt options and help in selecting the best option for your needs, work with a local asphalt paving contractor.