The majority of paved surfaces in the world around us are made of asphalt. The substance known as asphalt is composed of hydrocarbons left behind by the manufacture of common fuel such as gasoline and diesel. Once a surface has been smoothed for paving, a prime coat may be applied to the surface.
The prime coat is usually made of a thinner version of the same type of asphalt that will be used in the final layers. This prime coat, applied prior to the actual asphalt layer, is the initial step in Pavement Maintenance in MA. The prime coat will help bond loose sand, gravel and other materials on the ground and will help protect the paved surface from moisture. A prime coating also provides a firm base for the asphalt to adhere to.
After the prime coat has hardened, asphalt will be heated to form a thick, liquid substance. Often, it is mixed with sand or crushed gravel. The asphalt mixture will then be applied over the prime coat. Asphalt surfaces may be as thin as two inches or thicker than four inches, depending on what the surface will be used for. In many cases, what is referred to as a tack coat should be applied between layers of asphalt for added stability.
Much like the prime coat, sealcoating is a key element of Pavement Maintenance in MA. The prime coat protects a paved surface from moisture seeping in from beneath whereas sealcoating protects against moisture from above. Asphalt is naturally a porous substance that inevitably contains crevices.
When water penetrates these small openings, it can cause cracks to form and spread, eventually leading to potholes and breakdown of the entire paved surface. In addition to moisture, fuel and oil leaking from vehicles can erode asphalt as well. The sun’s ultraviolet rays and exposure to oxygen also hardens asphalt, leaving it brittle and prone to crumbling.
Sealcoating is generally applied after asphalt has hardened, to make cleaning and other acts of routine Pavement Maintenance in MA easier and more effective. Over the years, sealcoating should be applied regularly to prolong the life and beauty of paved surfaces such as highways, parking lots, tennis courts and driveways.
