FAQ

Asphalt is the most widely used material for paving projects around West Virginia and the world. Asphalt paving contains a mix of aggregates, fillers and a petroleum byproduct called bitumen. When cured, it forms a long-lasting surface that offers many benefits, including: 

• Cost-Efficiency: Asphalt is more affordable than alternatives like concrete, making it an economical choice for surfaces big and small.
• Durability: With strategic engineering and proper construction, asphalt paving can withstand decades of wear, resist the damaging effects of weather and more.
• Easy Maintenance: Maintaining and repairing is easy and cost-effective. Proper maintenance can prolong the life of asphalt and mitigate damage.
• Environmental Friendliness: Asphalt is one of the most recycled materials in construction, with even decades-old materials gaining new life in fresh paving.
• Curb Appeal: Asphalt's rich black color and smooth appearance provide a sleek, aesthetically pleasing look to any property.

Asphalt overlays are brand-new layers of paving material added to an existing foundation. It's the final step of an asphalt resurfacing project. Overlays reuse an existing foundation, essentially creating a blank slate. While not all surfaces will benefit from overlays, resurfacing and overlaying can save money on reconstruction costs while addressing recurring repair issues.

Generally, overlays are appropriate when surfaces have limited foundational issues and surface-level damage no greater than 30 percent of the pavement's square footage. An overlay is often a great solution to repairing crack-prone pavement older than ten years. Overlays can improve aesthetics, improve load-bearing capabilities, restore surface wear and more.

Parking lot construction is a multi-step process.

• Site Preparations: After excavation, compact the soil and grade the surface. Depending on the condition of the soil, preparation may involve adding new materials and aggregate to provide foundational stability.
• Design and Layout: Asphalt paving professionals design and engineer surfaces to meet your needs. They consider expected traffic, space optimization and local code compliance.
• Base Construction: Before paving with asphalt, contractors build a base foundation using aggregates and other materials. This step is crucial to achieving appropriate load-bearing capacity and long-term structural integrity.
• Surface Installation: Paving companies use asphalt mixes specifically formulated to a lot's approved engineering plans. They spread and compact the material, grade it for proper drainage and allow it to cure.

From there, contractors can proceed with additional services, such as line striping, to prepare your parking lot for use.

Asphalt paving can experience many forms of damage, the most common being cracks and potholes. Crack filling and sealing can restore paving while preventing water penetration that could damage the surface's foundation. Potholes require immediate attention due to their safety risks. Contractors can address potholes using patching compounds.

Other damage that require repairs include alligator cracking, raveling and unevenness. It's important to seek professional repair services whenever damage occurs to avoid worsening problems, safety risks, and liability issues.

Parking lot striping is a requirement for any parking garage or surface lot. Stripes play a vital role in maintaining safety, accessibility and traffic efficiency. Furthermore, local, state and federal codes have specific requirements to ensure code compliance. 

All new lots need parking lot striping and design. However, property owners and managers should also get striping services whenever lines fade. The service is also necessary after sealcoating, resurfacing, traffic flow changes, etc.

Milling is a process that involves pulverizing upper layers of asphalt to a specific depth. It is necessary in several instances.

• Resurfacing: Milling is the first stage of asphalt resurfacing. Contractors mill the surface to remove material and prepare the foundation for an overlay.
• Reconstruction: Reconstruction projects often involve milling to address severe damage. The process provides controlled material removal.
• Slope Correction: When pavement experiences drainage problems due to improper slope parameters, milling can help correct grading or removal material for a new overlay.