Columbus Ohio Asphalt Repair & Installation

Asphalt resurfacing is different from a complete replacement. A full replacement is where the existing blacktop and sub-base are removed, the area is regraded, and then a new fresh layer of blacktop is applied. Resurfacing will make your driveway look completely new, much like a full replacement. Unless there are issues with the foundation, your resurfaced asphalt should last for multiple years.

The benefits of resurfacing a driveway or parking lot include extending the usable life while maintaining aesthetic value that can be lost after many years of patching or filling cracks. It also helps prevent hairline surface cracks and peeling that can result from over-sealing your asphalt. 

The common question is, "Should I resurface or replace?" Many times resurfacing is an excellent option due to its lower cost and quicker turnaround. However, there are times when resurfacing isn't an option, and a full asphalt replacement is necessary. A complete replacement is usually required when the foundation under the top layer of blacktop has become compromised. This degradation causes cracks and holes to return each year even after sealcoating, patching, or filling the cracks. While most common with driveways over 20 years old, it can also affect newer driveways too if they aren't maintained properly. 

Asphalt is usually in need of being resurfaced after years of being exposed to the elements. Some of the most common reasons for the deterioration include:

• Water: Water-related issues are prevalent. Poor drainage is a likely cause of asphalt cracking or failure. Years of significant rainfall can also wear out your blacktop. An asphalt overlay can help mitigate these issues by properly draining water away.
• Construction: If inexperienced contractors performed your asphalt paving, there is a high chance that it will start to deteriorate over time. Often, an inexperienced installer will not compress the base properly or may install the asphalt in less than optimal weather conditions lessening the usable life of your blacktop surface.
• Sunlight: Long term exposure to sunlight can cause pavement to appear dull and lackluster. Asphalt overlay is a potential solution to this dullness if asphalt sealcoating isn't an option or has been overdone in recent years.
  

In Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding areas, the timing of asphalt repair is critical. It is usually not advisable to undertake extensive asphalt work during the winter or when the temperature is below 45 degrees. Asphalt is laid when it is hot, and this hot asphalt can be affected by both cooler ambient air as well as the ground temperature. If the asphalt cools too quickly, it can become tough to spread. In an emergency, it is possible to find alternatives to a full replacement or resurface. One such option is a cold patch, which can help get you through the winter months before Columbus Asphalt Services can genuinely assess the extent of the damage. 

In optimal conditions, a repair is done by first cleaning and removing the top layer of the driveway or parking lot, Columbus Asphalt Services contractors then apply tack oil over the exposed surface to help the new asphalt adhere to the old surface. Something to keep in mind when applying an overlay is that the sub-base is not being repaired. If the sub-base is compromised, your newly resurfaced area can soon begin to experience cracking and pooling or puddling. 

Following resurfacing, Columbus Asphalt Services recommends periodic maintenance to keep your asphalt looking fresh for many years to come. Paying attention and performing pothole repair, regular sealcoating, and crack filling can make a significant difference in the lifespan of your blacktop driveway or parking lot. Maintenance as simple as sweeping away debris can make a difference. 
 
Fill out the form above or call (614) 699-5512 today so Columbus Asphalt Services can review your asphalt resurfacing project and recommend the best course of action.

Columbus Asphalt Services offers multiple other asphalt repair and maintenance solutions to help keep your asphalt pavement looking new and fresh. They offer both residential and commercial services ranging from seal coating to asphalt parking lot repair and striping maintenance services. Look for us in Columbus Ohio and the surrounding area!