Mill & Overlay

Renewing your asphalt surfaces is a quick way to extend the life of your parking lot. By focusing on replacing the surface before damage can occur to the base structure, you can save significant capital expense.

Understanding Your Pavement

Asphalt pavements are typically characterized as a layered system where different materials are utilized with each layer contributing to the overall strength and function of the pavement structure.

Most roads and parking lots are built on a foundation of native subgrade soils and an aggregate layer.

Next the base layer of asphalt provides your strength and load carrying capacity.

The surface layer or wearing course, which is what you see and drive on, provides the nice smooth surface and more importantly, it is the water proofing cap for the structure below.

WHY SHOULD YOU OVERLAY?

Over time, even the best maintained asphalt surfaces begin to age and fail.

Overlaying or milling and overlaying your parking lot before the damage transfers to the base is paramount to longevity and expense reduction. Replacing worn, cracked, and pothole-laden parking lots provides a safe and visually-pleasing initial environment for your clients and staff.

Milling or removing the old surface layer of asphalt provides several advantages

Removes weak and damaged surface materials allowing the new wearing course to be placed on a fresh and properly prepared base.
Reduces the risk of reflection cracking or lifting of the new asphalt surface.
Eliminates the need to redesign drainage patterns.
Maintains curb reveal, which can be a code requirement in certain parts of the country

Overlay preparation is the key to a long-term successful project

The surface to be paved upon should be clean, free of any damage, and cracks should be filled and treated correctly to avoid reflection cracking.
BlueSky recommends a minimum of 1.5” of new surface material be placed, with 2” optimal for any overlay.
Insist on your contractor using the largest paver possible; every joint is a potential for a crack and for water to infiltrate and cause damage.
Don’t pave in the rain, or in temperatures below 40 degrees

Asphalt is Recyclable!

Asphalt is the top most recycled product in the United States and is within the top 5 most recycled products in the world.

In the United states alone, asphalt is now recycled or reused at a rate of 99%.

When and Why You Want to Mill and Overlay Your Parking Lot

As your parking lot ages, even with the most astute maintenance program you are eventually going to need to replace the surface or wearing course. A...