The Process of Paving

How many times have you been driving and you're stopped by construction that has been going on for what feels like months? In Michigan that is most roads or subdivisions you turn on. Why does it take so long? What is the process for paving? The process is about 7 steps.

Seven Steps to Asphalt Profection

Step 1:Recycle any old Pavement and Clear Debris

The First thing you want to take care of when installing new asphalt is to remove the old, damaged surface. Whether it's asphalt or concrete, start stripping it all away to start with a fresh canvas. This is where the company brings out their equipment like dozers and bobcats. They then remove all debris and make sure the surface is completely clean and clear before continuing.   

Step 2:Grade the Slope to Ensure Correct Drainage

Now that the site is clean, the surface has to be prepared for appropriate water drainage. Effective drainage will help prevent your pavement from  collapsing prematurely. The surface needs to be graded to let any water run off to the sides. Proper drainage is necessary for any asphalt pavement as without it, major damage can occur including cracks, crumbling and potholes. 

Step 3:Prepare Your Sub-Base

The sub-base gives the pavement a stable foundation and is the main support, making this a crucial part of the process. When installing sub-base, it needs to be compacted correctly- if not the surface of your asphalt will suffer. It most likely won't last through many seasons and you'll see cracking and weathering a lot quicker. In the winter the sub-base acts as a frost barrier that reduces damage from repeated freezing and thawing.

Step 4:The Proof Roll

As soon as the sub-base is fully graded and compacted it's time to proof roll. Proof rolling ensures that the underlying matrix is strong enough to support the asphalt and the loads on it. If the base flexes during the rolling process, it may not properly support the pavement. Stronger material will provide the base with the extra support it needs. 

Step 5:Adding Your Binding layer

Once the sub-base is laid down, soft areas are repaired, and rolled properly, its time to add the binder layer. The binder layer is made up of a mixture of aggregate and oil which will help support the asphalt and create a stronger, more durable pavement.

Step 6:Installing New Asphalt

After all this time and preparation, its time to install asphalt! Surface asphalt is made up of sand, oil, and small aggregate. The combination of these three materials creates that jet-black asphalt look and when installed correctly it provides a smooth, shiny and attractive finish. 

Step 7:Finishing Touches

Depending on the project being done, there's final details to all.This is the final step where roadways are connected to driveways or parking lots for a smooth transition. Striping is now ready to come in to take the blank canvas and turn it into structured spaces. Wait 24 hours to cure and you have yourself a new blacktop! Drive and enjoy your smooth ride.

 Bonus Step: Sealcoat… but not yet!

Sealcoating (or asphalt sealing) is very important for extending the useful life of the paved area. The fresh pavement needs time to fully cure before applying any sealing product. We would recommend at least 3 months to a year before sealcoating.

Sounds like a lot of hard work and time. At Titan Pavement, we provide high-quality asphalt paving, asphalt repair, and maintenance to residential, commercial, and industrial clients. If you're in need of some help paving, then get in touch today.

Preparing Your Parking Lot for Line Striping

The first thing your customers, residents, or tenants will see about your property is likely your parking lot, which means it’s critical to give it the proper attention that it deserves. This upkeep can mean anything from regular maintenance services to parking lot sealcoating when the time is right. However, some of the most critical aspects of your parking lot are the lines and traffic markings in your lot. Without these, you run a significant risk of accidents and other mishaps.

While fresh line striping is an easy solution, you will need to make sure all the boxes are checked off when planning your lot. Some factors include making sure it looks presentable and serves its intended purpose without compromising any existing parking. With that being said, there are a few major points that you should keep in mind when you prepare your parking lot for line striping.

Fresh Paint Improves Traffic Flow

One fairly obvious goal of a high-quality parking lot is to maximize parking options as much as possible. You may also want to improve your curb appeal, as the bright, fresh pain makes your property look clean and properly maintained. However, an arguably more significant aspect of your pavement markings is to improve your traffic flow and prevent any vehicular accidents that you may or may not be held liable for.

One of the chief concerns of your lot’s functionality is ensuring the safety of anyone visiting your location. For instance, you need to have clearly marked entrance and exit points, as well as directional arrows to control traffic flow, clearly marked loading zones and fire lanes, and anything else that can help you maintain a semblance of control in your lot. You must also ensure that you comply with any ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) guidelines, which means having accessibility spots that are easily visible for cars to park in.

What Do I Need to Have Ready?

Prior to your scheduled parking lot line painting, you should make sure that every aspect of your lot is ready for contractors to get the job done. One of the first things you should do is let anyone who regularly visits your property know that line striping is in process. Titan Pavement can help you prepare any notices, phasing plans, or maps that you will need to distribute to any residents, tenants, or customers who need alternative parking arrangements.

As far as the asphalt itself, we recommend making sure the areas that are going to be painted are clear of traffic throughout the duration of the project. You may also need to perform some basic asphalt maintenance to make sure the pavement is clean and dry, as it will need to be free of any dirt and water, or else the newly painted lines will come out worse for wear. Finally, you should keep in mind that while your lines should be dry within a few hours after completion, temperatures and sunlight may alter this timeline.

Choosing the Right Parking Lot Striping Contractor

When looking for a sealcoating and line striping company to handle your job, there are a few characteristics that companies will have that set them apart from others. For instance, you want to make sure that they are using the proper painting materials. We use only certified paint specifically designed for pavement and handling the amount of traffic your lot will see throughout a given period of time. 

These paints are applied with proper airless spray brush machines — which means no brushes or rollers. We also use professional, high-quality vinyl stencils to keep any ADA symbols, directional arrows, and other markings uniform with each other, keeping your lot as presentable as possible.

For over 20 years, Titan Pavement has been the name that metro Detroit area trusts for asphalt sealcoating and maintenance for commercial properties. We’ve handled line striping projects as small as a local condominium complex and as large as the Detroit Lions Practice Facility, which means we can take on your lot and keep it safe and presentable to visitors. Get in touch with us today to receive your free quote!

Bumpy Pavement? That’s Not Good!

If your asphalt surface isn’t smooth and level, then there’s a real problem.

If there’s one thing we can’t stand to see, it’s a bumpy paved surface. That’s because if that pavement isn’t smooth, then it wasn’t installed correctly, and there’s simply no excuse for shoddy work like that.

What Really Wrinkles the Work

The problem with rough asphalt and uneven paving is that there are going to be gaps and crevices in the surface that will collect water. Over time, that water is going to completely destabilize the pavement. Cracks and potholes will form, and the whole area will just be a mess.

There are a few main reasons why asphalt paving will come out uneven, and they are all avoidable. We at Titan Pavement do the preparation necessary to ensure we don’t fall into any of these pitfalls.

• Using the wrong aggregate mix. The aggregate should be a mix of crushed rock and small particulates, such as sand, that can be compacted tightly together. The rocks can’t be smooth-edged, or they will not compact properly.

• Not using an adequate amount of asphalt. The liquid asphalt that is poured over the aggregate needs to create a top layer that is at least two inches thick. Using insufficient asphalt will fail to bind the aggregate together, and the result will be a lumpy surface that has pieces chipping off all the time.

• Not compacted enough. Compaction is incredibly important, and if it’s skipped over or not done correctly, then your new pavement is going to just crumble apart. Asphalt compaction smooths out the surface and removes air bubbles and gaps that may be present.

Contact us to receive a free quote and schedule an appointment for your next asphalt maintenance project today!