Choosing the right repair strategy is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. Among the different approaches to asphalt repair, full depth reconstruction stands as a preferred choice for its comprehensive and durable results. This superior service revitalizes damaged pavement from the base up, ensuring enduring performance for years to come.
Signs of Damage to Your Industrial Asphalt
Industrial asphalt is subjected to a myriad of stresses. The daily onslaught of heavy vehicle traffic, exposure to varying weather conditions, and even the occasional oil spill can all take a toll on the pavement surface. Over time, this strain can manifest as visible signs of damage, such as surface-level cracks, raveling, rutting, or more alarming issues like subsidence or structural failure.
By accurately identifying these early signs of damage, industrial facility managers can take prompt action to prevent further deterioration, ensuring safety and averting expensive, large-scale repairs down the line. This may involve full depth reconstruction, but it may not. You’ll only know once the damage is assessed.
Read More: Mill and Overlay vs. Full depth Reconstruction
Common Industrial Asphalt Issues
One of the most apparent signs of asphalt damage is the presence of cracks. These can occur in various forms, including alligator cracks, edge cracks, and longitudinal cracks, to name a few. Alligator cracks, characterized by a series of interconnecting cracks resembling an alligator’s skin, often signify subgrade degradation. On the other hand, edge cracks, found along the pavement edges, could suggest poor edge support, while longitudinal cracks, running parallel to the pavement’s centerline, might indicate issues with the asphalt mix or aging.
Potholes are another common sign of asphalt damage. These are formed when water penetrates the asphalt surface through cracks, leading to the erosion of the underlying material. The surface layer then collapses under the weight of passing vehicles, resulting in potholes. Not only do these sneaky surface holes disrupt traffic, but they also pose safety risks and indicate a need for urgent repair.
Rutting and raveling are two other issues you might see in your industrial pavement over time. Rutting refers to the deformation or depressions in the wheel paths of the pavement. It can be caused by compaction of the asphalt layers or deformation of the subgrade or base layers. Severe rutting can create safety hazards and drainage problems, necessitating repair.
Raveling is the disintegration of an asphalt surface, which results in loose gravel on the surface. It’s typically a sign of aging asphalt and often indicates that the bond between the asphalt binder and aggregates has weakened.
Assessing the Extent of the Damage
Once you’ve identified the damage, an essential step is to gauge its extent. Not all damage warrants drastic measures like full depth pavement reconstruction. If the deterioration is confined to the surface layer, a simple asphalt overlay or patching might suffice. However, for damages extending deep into the foundation layers of the pavement—undermining its structural integrity—a more thorough method like full depth reconstruction becomes necessary.
Full depth reconstruction involves the comprehensive removal and replacement of the existing pavement structure, extending down to the base layers. It’s a method aimed at fully restoring the pavement’s structural integrity and functionality, rendering it capable of withstanding the demanding conditions of industrial environments. It’s essentially all about getting to the root cause of the issues rather than paving over them. Full depth reconstruction can be used on such industrial projects as roadway repaving, damaged driveway apron replacement, damaged sidewalk replacement, and even ADA-compliant curb cut and ramp installation for intersections on your property.
Calculating the Cost of Full Depth Reconstruction vs. Overlaying
Though full depth reconstruction might seem costlier than a simple overlay upfront, this perspective can be misleading. It’s crucial to consider the long-term implications of each method. If your asphalt damage is extensive and merely covered up with an overlay, it could very soon resurface, necessitating recurrent repairs and accumulating high costs over time.
In contrast, full depth reconstruction, while requiring a larger initial investment, offers a lasting solution to pavement distress, resulting in lower maintenance costs and longer pavement lifespan, thereby proving more cost-effective in the long run.
Material Options for Full Depth Reconstruction Material selection plays a pivotal role in full depth reconstruction. The full depth reconstruction process involves using top-quality materials that can stand up to the rigors of industrial asphalt usage. These materials need to offer superior load-bearing capacity, high durability, and resistance to weather elements. The new pavement is typically created using a blend of hot-mix asphalt binder and aggregate, ensuring a firm and reliable surface primed to withstand heavy traffic and harsh environmental conditions.
The aggregate is a crucial component of the asphalt mixture, usually consisting of crushed stones, gravel, sand, or recycled concrete. It forms the bulk of the asphalt pavement, providing it with the necessary strength and stability. The base layer, placed below the asphalt pavement, provides a solid foundation that supports the pavement under loads. Base materials can include crushed stone or gravel and can sometimes be stabilized with cement or asphalt for additional strength.
In an effort to promote sustainability and cost effectiveness, many companies, like Cassidy Paving, may make use of recycled asphalt pavement or RAP. RAP is generated when existing asphalt pavement materials are milled, crushed, and screened.
Preparing for Full Depth Reconstruction of Industrial Asphalt
The preparation for full depth reconstruction is a meticulous process that requires careful planning and precise execution.
You’ll need to work closely with an asphalt repair and paving company that can advise you on the best times to execute such a project based on climate, scheduling, and other considerations. Communication about the project to your stakeholders and anyone utilizing your industrial property will be key.
Calculating Your Return on Investment (ROI) for Full Depth Reconstruction
When considering full depth reconstruction, the upfront costs may seem substantial. However, when calculated over the lifespan of the reconstructed pavement, it offers a high return on investment (ROI).
Unlike simpler repair methods that may require frequent repetition due to recurrent damage, full depth reconstruction offers a more long-lasting solution. This can help minimize future repair expenses, downtime, and disruption to operations, thereby increasing ROI.
Call Cassidy Paving for Your Full Depth Reconstruction Project
Industrial full depth reconstruction is one of the premier services offered by Cassidy Paving.
Our team can help execute your full depth reconstruction project at a time that requires the least downtime and is appropriate based on the climate.
Cassidy Paving is a family-owned and operated asphalt paving company headquartered in Haverhill, MA. We know all about New England weather and can plan accordingly. We serve clients in Massachusetts and throughout New England, with a full-time crew that has over 100 years of combined experience and is bonded with full liability and full workers’ compensation insurance. We even offer a satisfaction guarantee on all new paving services.
Read more about making industrial asphalt repairs this year: