Blacktop & Asphalt Paving
The terms “blacktop paving” and “asphalt paving” are often used interchangeably. Although, the term blacktop paving isn’t as widely used as it once was. Asphalt, or blacktop, paving compound consists of sand, stone, bitumen, and air. The ingredients are combined and heated to between 130°C and 160°C.
About Blacktop and Asphalt Paving
There are several different types of asphalt. The main differences would be the size of the stones and the ratio between the amount of stone and sand. Some of the common uses for blacktop paving include:
- Paving residential driveways
- Paving parking lots
- New builds and existing strata developments
- Repaving residential roads
- Constructing playgrounds
- Constructing sports areas like tennis and basketball courts
Both blacktop and asphalt are applied in the same manner. The stone and the bitumen are pre-mixed, heated, and then laid onto a graded base. Asphalt paving is known and selected because of its durability. With regular maintenance and upkeep, rolled asphalt paving lasts a long time. Because of its hardiness, its uses include:
- Repaving highways and high traffic roadways
- Airport runways
- Repairing residential sidewalks
- Repaving underground parking lots
- Commercial paving
Asphalt and Blacktop Paving Equipment
The most relied upon asphalt paving equipment for driveways, residential roads, highways, and airport runways are:
Millers – A milling machine “digs up” the roadway and any existing asphalt on the road, creating a grooved and rough undersurface for the asphalt or blacktop to adhere to.
Sweepers – these are employed after the road has been scraped or “milled”. Sweepers clean the dust and debris and clear any large materials from the graded area to ensure that the asphalt or blacktop can adhere correctly, creating a smooth and even area.
Trucks – Vehicles like dump trucks deliver the hot asphalt to the site, whether it is a road resurfacing, a strata complex, or a residential driveway.
Asphalt Pavers – Asphalt paving machines lay the hot asphalt or blacktop mix and spread it. The front of the paving machine carries the hot mix, which internal feeders transport to an auger that spreads the asphalt in front of the screed which levels and smooths the asphalt.
Rollers or Compactors – Generally, the laid hot asphalt is flattened and made as perfectly smooth as possible with a roller or a compactor.
The main pieces of equipment on mid-sized to larger jobs is the paver as well as the rollers used to compact the asphalt. Both pavers and rollers come in a variety of sizes.
The basic concept for both pavers and rollers has not changed much over the years but it is essential that the people behind the paving equipment be skilled and hardworking. Many of our employees have been working in the industry for decades.
Palmieri Brothers Paving & Contracting
Whether you are looking for blacktop or asphalt paving for your residential or commercial property, you can trust the expert paving contractors at Palmieri Brothers to help you. We’ve helped homeowners, commercial property owners, strata boards, property developers, and all levels of municipal, federal, and provincial governments with their paving needs. Contact us today by filling out the form below.