Tips for Asphalt Overlays

Asphalt overlays can fail if they are not done correctly; see our top tips for getting it right.

Tucker Paving has worked all over Central Florida and beyond for over 30 years, installing and maintaining asphalt and concrete paving and offering an array of construction site services. We can tell you point blank that asphalt can absolutely fail if the preparation isn’t correct, and that includes asphalt overlays too. See our top tips for preparing asphalt overlays that last.

What is an Asphalt Overlay?

An asphalt overlay is a thin layer of new asphalt that is added over an existing asphalt pavement; sometimes the top layer of the original asphalt is removed through a process called milling before an overlay is added. Adding an asphalt overlay, with or without milling, is generally referred to as asphalt resurfacing.

Asphalt resurfacing is done for a number of reasons; the most common is when an asphalt pavement has damage at the surface level, but the underlying structure of the asphalt is still sound. Regardless of the reasons why an asphalt overlay is installed, it will renew the look of asphalt pavement to new. 

Tips for Asphalt Overlay Preparation 

These are our top tips for asphalt overlay preparation:

  • Asphalt overlays can only be used if there is shallow surface damage only; if there is deeper damage, then that damage will need to be fixed before the asphalt can be resurfaced.
  • If there are doubts as to the soundness of the asphalt base, you can cut a core or many cores out of the existing asphalt to explore what’s going on in the base.
  • Overlays can be used to add strength to asphalt, but the thickness of the overlay will need to be adjusted to suit the weight of the projected traffic; the heavier the traffic, the thicker the overlay will need to be.
  • Overlays will need to be planned to meet the drainage needs of the pavement; the overlay will need to be sloped so that water can run off it or towards drainage features. 
  • A thin overlay—under 1.5 inches—can be used to improve the skid resistance and levelness of asphalt, and it also provides protection against the elements.
  • The base must be cleared, cleaned, and prepped prior to adding the overlay.
  • The tack coat—the compound that helps the overlay adhere to the base—is important; too much and it will bleed through a thin overlay, and if you apply too little, the overlay can slide on the tack.
  • The overlay will need to be the correct selection of aggregate size mix and the correct binder, and it will need to be applied at the correct speed, neither too fast or too slow.

We have been operating in Central Florida since 1994 in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. We have completed projects for residential, commercial, and municipal clients. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or use our contact form online. How can we help you with your next concrete or asphalt paving project?