When you hire a Houston paving contractor to install new asphalt pavement, you have certain expectations. You expect that you will receive a durable, attractive pavement that will last for many years. You expect that repairs will be few and economical, especially during the first few years of your pavement’s life. Many factors determine your long-term satisfaction with your new pavement, including the pavement’s structural design, the type of asphalt used, and the contractor’s employees’ skills. However, none of these will deliver the desired results if the contractor does not prepare the site properly.
What Is the Most Crucial Factor for Asphalt Paving Installation?
Why Is Site Preparation Critical When Installing an Asphalt Pavement?
Whether contractors handle a residential or commercial paving project, they must consider the soil that will lie beneath the pavement, also known as the subgrade. Unless the paving company makes sure that the subgrade can provide the critical support that the pavement needs, the finished product may look fine, but it will likely begin to develop problems early in its life. A Houston paving contractor can encounter various unstable soils in the area, including sites with soils that have too much sand or too much clay. The contractor must be able to compact the subgrade sufficiently, and some soil types resist compaction. It is also necessary to ensure that the subgrade will remain stable, and some soil types are notorious for reacting to changes in the weather by expanding, moving, or contracting.
How Does an Asphalt Paving Company Deal With Unsuitable Soil at the Construction Site?
If it is impossible to compact the subgrade properly, there are steps that the contractor can take. The contractor’s actions will depend on the specific nature of the problem with the soil, but here are the most common solutions.
• Stabilization: Various products can be used to increase the subgrade’s stability and load-bearing capabilities. For example, if the soil is too sandy, the contractor can apply emulsified asphalt. If the soil has a high plasticity index, the choice will usually be either lime or cement. These products are typically referred to as binders when used for stabilization.
• Amendment: Amendment is the replacement of unsuitable soils with better soil. The contractor will remove anywhere from six inches to two feet of poor soil and replace it.
• Subbase: The subbase is a layer between the soil and the base. A subbase may be constructed with or without the use of a binder. If a binder is needed, the subbase will be compacted to whatever degree is possible before the binder is placed.
• Base: When designing a new asphalt pavement, your contractor will consider one of the factors is the subgrade. On some projects, a thicker, well-compacted base will compensate for poor soils.
If you have questions about asphalt pavement construction, you can rely on Marathon Solutions Group for the answers. We offer a wide range of paving services, including asphalt paving, parking lot maintenance, asphalt resurfacing, pavement repair, asphalt sealcoating, parking lot striping, asphalt crack repair, thermoplastic markings, parking lot signs, bollard installation, concrete repair and installation, and asphalt milling. We are a well-respected and experienced company with an exemplary reputation for dependability, craftsmanship, professionalism, and customer service. You can use our convenient online form to request a free quote, or you can call us at 800-879-1147.
