Thinking your asphalt needs a full replacement? See when milling and resurfacing make more sense than a full asphalt pavement replacement.

Asphalt has a long lifespan, but unfortunately it does not last forever. Eventually, most asphalt will need a full replacement. However, the Tucker Paving team has the knowledge and experience to know when milling and resurfacing your asphalt pavement makes the most sense. We’ve been in the asphalt and concrete paving industry for over 30 years in Central Florida, and we have done our fair share of milling and resurfacing to extend the lifespan of a stretch of asphalt pavement.

When Your Asphalt Needs Maintenance

Asphalt pavement unfortunately is not impervious to the elements. The sun’s UV rays accelerate oxidation, breaking down the binder in the asphalt; water and dirt get into cracks and lead to potholes; heavy traffic causes stress that leads to cracks and more. When asphalt starts to show any signs of damage, it’s time for maintenance.

There are many maintenance options, and the sooner you contact an expert asphalt paving company, the better. Asphalt paving in need of maintenance will only continue to degrade. The first line of maintenance—other than keeping it clean and free of dirt, debris, and chemicals and oils from vehicles and the like—is to fill in cracks and patch potholes. The next is to have the asphalt sealcoated every three to five years. Sealcoating adds a protective layer over the asphalt pavement.

The next maintenance option is asphalt milling and resurfacing. This is when the top layer of the asphalt is removed, or milled, and then a new layer of asphalt is added over the asphalt base. This restores the look, smoothness, and soundness of the asphalt.

Lastly, if milling and resurfacing is not an option, the entire asphalt pavement must be removed and replaced.

When Milling and Resurfacing Make Sense

Choosing milling and resurfacing is the smart choice under a few different circumstances. These include:

  • The asphalt only has damage like cracks, small potholes, and oxidation on the surface level of the asphalt, but the base is still intact.
  • The asphalt is simply exhibiting general wear and tear.
  • The asphalt requires multiple minor repairs that would affect the overall appearance of the asphalt.
  • The asphalt has experienced oxidation that has faded it and, more importantly, caused it to lose its skid resistance.
  • The cost of replacing the asphalt pavement is prohibitively expensive, and milling and resurfacing is the only option that can be afforded.

The best resource for determining what your asphalt pavement needs is an experienced paving company!

At Tucker Paving, we have more than three decades in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or use our contact form online, to inquire about your next paving project!