Colorado Asphalt Services, Inc.

Practical asphalt maintenance tips
There are many causes of asphalt deterioration and degradation, that require the need for repairs and maintenance.  Here are some “practical tips” that will help you, or your management team, make the best decisions when it comes to asphalt and concrete repairs.   ■ Reading Estimates.  Sure, this sounds simple, and fundamental.  However, comparing two or three different companies’ estimates and their language is not always comparing “apples to apples”, so to speak.  Here are some suggestions when requesting bids or estimates for your asphalt and concrete work: 1.  Always get them in writing. 2. Make sure they are detailed in every respect (measurements, tonnages, etc.). 3. Request that every service provided has a separate price for that specific item. 4. Get any and all warranties in writing. 5. Finally, ask for information on brand name products for such things as crack fill and sealcoat products, since some companies use inferior products.  Also find out if they produce their own asphalt, or from whom it is purchased.  Knowing all of this information allows you to be an informed purchaser.   ■ When is the best time to obtain Estimates?   You may not realize it, but there are better times and worse	times, cost-wise, to obtain bids for your work.  The best time is in the late fall or early winter for the following spring and early summer.  The reason is that asphalt and concrete companies are looking to “fill up” their work schedules with work early, and they are willing to price their products and services more competitively at that point in time.  As the work season progresses into the late summer and early fall, their schedules become full, and, as a consequence, seemingly everyone i.e., customers) wants work done “before the ground freezes and the snow flies”.  So … words to the wise:  Get your bids early!   ■ Limitations in Using Infrared Patching. Infrared patching has become quite popular.  To be sure, it is an effective, relatively inexpensive method of patching surface blemishes, cosmetic problems, small cracks and raveling.  It is a great way to touch-up asphalt to give it a smoother appearance on the surface.   However, and unfortunately, it is often being marketed as a remedy to fix problems that are truly more structural and sub-surface in nature --	problems that are not fixed or properly repaired by infrared patching.  When infrared patching is improperly recommended and used, the structural problem will rise to the surface the following year.  Let me further explain.   Often, one will see alligatoring on the surface of asphalt.  This is caused by structural problems beneath the asphalt, at the level of the base coarse (rock base supporting the asphalt layer).  To fix the problem, the asphalt needs to be torn out, the base coarse needs to be replaced, and entirely new asphalt installed.  Infrared patching would merely remove a small layer of asphalt on the top (not even all of the asphalt), add some additional asphalt oil to it, and replace that old asphalt.  Customers are enticed into using infrared patching more often than they should because it is so much less expensive than the correct solution.  Advice:  make sure that the service you are getting is the correct solution for your problem!   Hopefully, the advice above will greatly assist you in properly maintaining your asphalt (and concrete) surfaces at your properties. Obviously, it is important to have your paved surfaces inspected and reviewed each year to determine what, if any, services are necessary to properly maintain them.  Likewise, it is important to use your financial resources (i.e., money!) wisely to extend the useful life of your paved surfaces! ▲