Asphalt overlays are just what they sound like. They are a patch of new pavement sections that usually span about 1.5- to 2-inch thickness, layered over the top of an existing pavement surface. Asphalt overlays are a great way to improve the aesthetics of your asphalt driveway or path. They can hide things like divots and dings and give your driveway a fresh new look. The overlay process usually takes about four or five stages, but once it’s completed, if it’s properly applied, your driveway will look like new with very little time, effort, or cost involved.
When an overlay is properly installed, it can extend the lifespan of your paved surface for up to fifteen years or more. It is used to restore your pavement when the surface begins to show signs of deterioration. An overlay is your alternative to ripping up the pavement and starting a new one. Although some asphalt surfaces might be damaged with potholes, ruts, and large cracks, once they are milled, the surface can be repaired using the overlay system.
Not all pavement surfaces are appropriate for an overlay system. If there is considerable structural damage like large root intrusions, potholes, or very deep ruts, you may have to rip up the pavement and start new. If your asphalt surface is not draining groundwater correctly, that might also be a red flag that an overlay is not the answer. Before we begin any work, our first step is to assess your pavement’s particular situation and devise the best way to tackle your problems.
The asphalt milling process removes the top layer of an asphalt surface when there is enough damage to warrant fixing. By removing the top damaged layer, we ensure that there will be a longer-lasting bond between the existing asphalt and the overlay. The asphalt milling equipment grinds down the surface, and the material that is ground down is hauled away with no effort or work on your part.
If there are existing potholes, sinking, or ruts, we address them with a base repair. The only way to ensure that we correct the problem that led to needing an asphalt overlay is by finding the cause of the damage and repairing it.
Once the asphalt surface has been correctly prepared, we’ll begin the overlay process. The thickness of the overlay will depend on the thickness of the remaining surface, but it usually requires about 1.5 to 2 inches of overlay material.
There are certain situations where you can put an asphalt overlay on top of concrete. When the concrete has so deteriorated that the only options are to rip it up, an asphalt overlay might be a cheaper and more lasting option. But paving over concrete does pose some additional hurdles. Concrete isn’t like asphalt; it adheres to fill voids and imperfections with the subgrade below it.
Usually, concrete has expansion joints that help to prevent it from cracking because it experiences seasonal expansion. The expansion joists might, over time, cause the asphalt overlay to shift, leading to cracking and bumps. Although it will likely not cause the surface to fail, it will need to be resealed frequently to lock moisture out.
