Pavement Maintenance

Blythe Construction uses GSB-88® asphalt emulsion as the base material to produce its 2017 fog seal projects.

When it comes to performing a lasting repair, the persistent freeze thaw cycles of northern Michigan can be a pain. “Two days ago, it was 50 degrees, now it’s 22 with 4 inches of snow on the ground–at least until the sun comes out and melts it,” said Traverse City Street Superintendent Mark Jones. “We […]

Contractors performing winter pavement maintenance should be clamoring for the jobs that service porous asphalt pavements. It would be irresponsible to say merely “you get to leave it alone,” but the fact is porous asphalt pavements require fewer deicing chemicals and less work than do impervious pavements. Here’s why. First, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) […]

Cracks, wear and potholes are telltale signs of asphalt damage, leaving many property owners and managers searching for the best way to resolve these issues while keeping their asphalt in good condition. Oftentimes, those responsible for maintaining parking lots will default to sealcoating as the solution to various problems with asphalt. For asphalt pavement that […]

Like all equipment, when choosing a sealcoating machine, uptime, speed, efficiency and durable, high-quality results are on the line. To be successful the unit must deliver on all fronts. But not every sealcoat machine is right for every contractor. Follow these guidelines for optimal productivity and profits. The first thing to consider is the type […]

Getting a clean asphalt mat behind the paver is more likely to happen when the screed is in good repair. Let’s take a look at this screed in particular for some good ideas to help your crew achieve a better mat. As you can see by the 5-gallon bucket of release agent on the deck, […]

When it comes to minor surface distress, sometimes the best option is to perform an overlay. “Overlays have some distinct advantages compared to less costly surface maintenance treatments,” said Terry Humphrey, a training consultant at Caterpillar Paving Products, Peoria, Illinois. “In addition to sealing shallow fatigue cracks, overlays add strength to the existing structure and […]