Specialists in Driveways
Parking Lots
Streets
All About Asphalt
• NEW CONSTRUCTION
• REPAVING EXISTING ASPHALT
• MAINTENANCE / SEALCOATING
• REPAIRING ASPHALT
Layout
Most jobs begin with an engineered set of plans. Although most commercial jobs are laid out by the builder, there are many times a residential job is laid out by the asphalt contractor. All of the owners at Metro Paving are skilled in reading plans to achieve the engineered layout. There are some industrial jobs, and many homeowner jobs, that do not have a plan. Here is where our 45 years of experience will help you achieve a finished job that best fits your needs.
Excavation
Most commercial and residential specifications are excavated to a depth that allows for a 6" rock base and a 2" asphalt surface. Most industrial and some commercial service entrances are excavated to a depth that allows for an 8" rock base and 3" asphalt surface.
Constructing Rock Base
The thickness of the rock base will vary depending on the project. Some industrial specifications require an 8" to 10" compacted rock base. Most residential and commercial specifications require a 6" to 8" compacted rock base using the smaller stone through out.
Constructing Asphalt Surface
The thickness of the asphalt surface will vary depending on the project. Residential, and most commercial jobs, will call for a 2" compacted asphalt surface. Where as industrial and some commercial projects will call for a 3" compacted asphalt surface. Some industrial and street projects may require applying multiple asphalt layers, such as 4" compacted asphalt base installed in two 2" applications. The first being type "X" mix or base mix asphalt. The second being a finish grade type "C" mix asphalt. Some projects, such as streets, could require as much as 11" of compacted asphalt by installing multiple layers of base mix asphalt.
Removing Existing
Some jobs require removal of existing asphalt surface around sidewalks, garage floors and street entrances to allow for proper drainage. If you do not allow for proper drainage you could unknowingly end up with severe water damage.
Clean area
The existing asphalt to be repaved needs to be cleaned properly. First, we remove loose or badly broken areas in the existing asphalt surface. Second, we remove the vegetation from the edges and out of any cracks in the existing asphalt surface. Last, we remove the fine particles of debris by using a high-speed power blower.
Apply the prime coat
Metro Paving, as with most asphalt contractors in the area, uses SS-1 asphalt primer. The difference is in the application. This asphalt primer is designed to be spray-installed to cover 100 percent of the existing asphalt area to be repaved.
Wedging
Wedging is needed when there is a low or badly broken area that was previously removed. These areas will be filled with hot mix asphalt to establish a finish grade that allows for the new asphalt surface.
Installing new asphalt
The new asphalt layer can consist of a minimum thickness of 1" all the way up to 4" of asphalt after compaction, depending on the weight of the vehicles driving on the new surface. Most applications require a 2" asphalt surface after compaction.
Benefits of sealcoating
Sealcoating will beautify and restore that black as night original look. It will prevent oxidation by blocking out the damaging effects of the sun and ultraviolet rays. It minimizes spill damage by keeping gasoline, oil, diesel fuel or fuel oil leaks from penetrating the surface. It preserves your investment by making sure your property is safer, cleaner and more attractive. It also increases snow melting and makes for a longer lasting wear surface.
Clean area
The existing asphalt surface needs to be cleaned properly. First, we remove vegetation from edges and out of any cracks. Than, we remove the fine particles with a high-speed power blower.
Crack filling if needed
All cracks 1/4" and wider are filled with a rubberized or trowel grade crack filler prior to sealing. Most cracks smaller the 1/4" are filled with the asphalt sealer.
Apply Seal Coat
We use a specially designed MAC 52 residential sand slurry sealer. We apply the sealer with a squeegee undiluted with additional sand added for a better application with less tracking, slightly more traction and a longer-lasting surface. When installed in this manner you should expect 3 to 4 years of life under normal usage.
Repairing Asphalt
When repairing asphalt some areas may only require a patch over the existing asphalt. The badly broken areas such as asphalt buckling or disintegrating will need to be excavated to a depth needed to stabilize the area under current traffic conditions. Residential may only require a 2" to 3" thick asphalt repair. Where as commercial and industrial may require a 4" to 6" thick asphalt repair. Extreme load conditions, such as a dumpster pick up stations, need a minimum of an 8" thick asphalt repair.
Metro Paving Co. Inc.
13571 St. Charles Rock Rd
Bridgeton, MO 63044
(314) 739-3303
Fax (314) 739-7902
E-mail office@metropavingco.com
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