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If you’re a business owner, asphalt repairs should never stay at the bottom of your to-do list. Cracked parking lots littered with holes not only look unsightly and deter customers, but they also put your business at risk for premise liability lawsuits. Here, learn about two common types of asphalt repairs, milling and overlaying, to determine what’s best for your project.

What You Need to Know About Asphalt Milling & Overlaying

What Is Overlaying?

Also referred to as resurfacing, pavement overlaying is when a new layer of asphalt is applied over an existing surface. Concrete surfaces can also undergo overlaying. Overlaying paves over cracks and uneven areas to create a new, smooth surface. This process is not applicable to areas with severe damage, such as significant potholes, ruts, or tree root damage.

asphaltThink of overlaying as a preventive measure that keeps cracks from spreading and smooths uneven areas to avoid tripping hazards and water accumulation. Water that freezes in uneven pavement increases the risk of slip and fall accidents and subsequent lawsuits.

What Happens During Milling & Overlaying?

If an asphalt surface requires extensive repairs, it typically undergoes milling before overlaying. Milling grinds several inches down into the old paving material to reveal the underlying subbase. This process allows contractors to create a new surface that’s even and free of cracks and potholes.

Milling machines range in size in light of the project scope. They include cutting drums that remove and grind the old pavement, vacuums that suck up the damaged material, and a conveyor belt that moves the construction waste into a dump truck for recycling.

After the milling machine has done its work, the subbase is cleaned to ensure even overlaying. If the subbase has sustained serious damage due to freezing and thawing cycles, it gets repaired with asphalt and aggregate prior to overlaying. Then the asphalt layer is installed, resulting in a newly paved surface.

 

If you need asphalt overlaying or milling, rely on the paving contractors at Grey-Ruso Construction in College Point, NY. The family-owned company has served New York’s five boroughs, as well as Westchester County and Long Island, for over 35 years. Call (718) 358-1836 to request a free estimate or visit these paving contractors online for more about their site work.

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