Frequently Asked Questions

Sealcoating is the process of applying a protective material to the surface of asphalt pavement — much like using paint on the wood siding of a house. The sealer material is a watery mixture of emulsified asphalt, water, mineral fillers, and possibly various additives such as latex and modified polymers designed to speed the drying process and strengthen the dried sealer. Sealer is applied directly to the surface of an asphalt pavement using a rubber squeegee, broom, or mechanical spray.

Because cracks are the most lethal problem a pavement can have, all cracks ¼ inch wide or broader must be sealed to prevent water infiltration and protect the life of the pavement. Small cracks (less than ¼ inch wide) are generally not sealed because the material will not penetrate the surface. A number of materials are available for sealing cracks but the most well known and most cost-effective is hot-rubberized crack sealant. Cold-pour crack repair materials also are available but these are usually considered short-term solutions.

R&R (removal and replacement), or "digouts," is generally used to repair damaged pavement where the damage is caused by failure of the base or subbase material beneath the asphalt. R&R involves cutting around the edges of the failed asphalt, removing the old pavement and base material down to structurally sound material, and then reconstructing the patch with new base and hot mix asphalt. Patch paving is typically used during stages 3–4 of a pavement's lifecycle. Not only does it improve the structure of the pavement, it's a targeted repair that avoids the cost of replacing an entire area.

As its name implies, an overlay is a new layer of hot mix asphalt, generally 1½–2 inches thick (after compaction), constructed over the top of an existing asphalt or concrete pavement. Often, a paving fabric interlayer is placed between the pavement and the overlay to strengthen the bond and reduce reflective cracking. (Some people refer to fabrics as "Petromat," but Petromat is a brand name of one of a number of brands of fabric.) When constructed properly and at the appropriate time in a pavement's life cycle, an overlay helps extend the life of your original pavement, giving you a greater return on what you have already invested in your road or parking lot.

A grinder (also known as a pavement planer, pavement recycler, asphalt milling machine, or roto-mill) is a construction machine used to remove bituminous pavement or asphalt concrete from roadways, resulting in a somewhat rough, even surface that can be immediately opened to traffic. This is accomplished by bringing a rotating mandrel or "head" into contact with the pavement at an exact depth or slope. The mandrel has hundreds of hardened spikes on its surface, which bite and tear away at the roadway's surface. The surface material that is removed is normally fed by conveyor into a dump truck, but can be left in place or windrowed to be removed at a later date or recycled.

Generally, asphalt lasts about 15–20 years. However, pavement life can vary greatly depending on conditions, traffic volume, type of traffic, and how well it is maintained. A regular maintenance program — including sealcoating, crack filling, and prompt repairs — can significantly extend the service life of your pavement. Moreover, regardless of age, asphalt can be recycled, making it one of the most environmentally friendly paving materials available.