Smooth Paving

MILLING & RESURFACING

Asphalt milling and resurfacing are two important processes in the maintenance and repair of asphalt pavement. 

Resurfacing involves adding a fresh layer of asphalt to an existing road, driveway or parking lot surface, thereby restoring the pavement’s integrity and improving its appearance.

If it is time to mill and resurface your asphalt parking lot, road, or driveway, contact Smooth Paving today.

When do you need to resurface asphalt?

The lifespan of asphalt can vary depending on a variety of factors, including climate, traffic volume, maintenance, and quality of installation. 

When existing asphalt is still sound, but in need of repair, asphalt resurfacing is a great option. 

Generally speaking, a properly installed and well-maintained asphalt pavement  can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years.  

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    Should I resurface or replace asphalt?

    Asphalt resurfacing is necessary when the existing pavement has developed cracks, potholes, or other defects.

    These defects can be caused by a range of factors, including heavy traffic, extreme weather conditions, and poor maintenance. 

    If asphalt has reached the end of its useful life and is no longer able to provide a safe and comfortable driving surface, it may need to be replaced.

    Resurface:

    • More than 25% of the surface is covered in light to moderate damage
    • Cracks are narrow
    • You want your asphalt to have a uniform, like-new look
    • The asphalt has dips or divots
    • Asphalt is stained
    • Areas are uneven

    Replace:

    • Asphalt has large potholes
    • Cracks in the asphalt are wider than ¼ inch
    • Sections of the asphalt have failed
    • Asphalt has thinned
    • The base or sub-base are failing
    • Water is pooling
    Putting down asphalt

    Why is asphalt milling necessary?

    Asphalt milling (sometimes called asphalt grinding) works hand-in-hand with resurfacing. Asphalt milling is the process of removing the top layer of an asphalt pavement surface to make it smoother and more even. 

    To maintain current drainage patterns and/or reveal at the gutters, removal of existing asphalt is usually required.

    Depending on the situation, the entire surface may need to be removed, or we may perform milling only at the curb lines (edge milling) so that the new asphalt layer will lay flush with the existing elevation of the curbs and or gutter.

    Asphalt milling is done using a specialized milling machine, which grinds away the old, damaged layer of asphalt to a predetermined depth. 

    The milled material is then transported to a recycling facility where it can be reused in new asphalt pavement or other construction projects. 

    After the milling process, the pavement surface is left with a rough texture that provides a good bonding surface for a new layer of asphalt. 

    How Does the Process Work?

      1. The asphalt is first milled, removing the top layer.
      2. Following milling, the existing surface is machine-swept to clean the area.
      3. A tack coat is applied. The tack coat bonds the new layer of asphalt to the existing underlying layer of asphalt.
      4. The new layer of asphalt is installed. Typically 1.5 inches to 2 inches of asphalt is applied during resurfacing.

    At Smooth Paving, we own our own fleet of milling resurfacing machines to ensure the entire operation goes smoothly.

    How often should asphalt be resurfaced?

    How often asphalt needs to be resurfaced depends upon how heavily used the road, parking lot or drive is used and what type of vehicles are passing over it. 

    The following chart shows when typical asphalt surfaces need to be resurfaced.

    Asphalt Type How Often Resurfacing Is Required
    Driveway
    20-30 years
    Parking Lot
    15-25 years
    Quiet Residential Road
    20-30 years
    High Traffic Road
    10-15 years

    How do you extend the life of resurfaced asphalt?

    It’s important to keep in mind that regular maintenance, such as crack sealing and sealcoating, can help to extend the lifespan of asphalt pavement.

    At Smooth Paving, we also offer long-term maintenance programs and asphalt maintenance planning to extend the life of your asphalt.

    Contact Smooth Paving for any questions or to get started with your asphalt resurfacing or milling project. Interested in an estimate? Click here.