Asphalt Paving and Maintenance

Asphalt Paving
It is vital, in terms of finished product quality and durability, that the proper equipment is used when installing a new asphalt pavement.  At Cicchini Asphalt LLC we use the state-of-the-art equipment, updated regularly, that is required to meet or exceed industry standards. 

Commercial Paving
As a full-service asphalt paving provider, Cicchini Asphalt can offer you service for your pavement at any stage of its life cycle.  Whether you are looking to reconstruct a 30-year-old parking lot, pave a brand new parking lot or repair anything in between, Cicchini Asphalt has the expertise to determine the most cost effective way to improve your property. 

New Construction
After excavation of top soils is completed and the sub-base meets the specified elevations, a crushed aggregate base course (stone base) is installed.  To attain maximum compaction, the base is sprayed with a water truck and then shaped, graded and compacted with a vibratory roller.  Next, the asphalt is installed; the thickness of the asphalt is usually determined by traffic flow, vehicle weight and soil conditions.  Finally, the striping is applied to the new asphalt pavement. 

Reconstruction
When an asphalt pavement comes to the end of its useful life it is recommended that the asphalt pavement be reconstructed.  Reconstruction of a pavement consists of saw cutting the area indicated.  The deteriorated asphalt is excavated and removed from the site.  The base course is shaped graded and compacted and the new asphalt is installed.  Finally, the pavement is marked using a Sherwin Williams Pro Mark Traffic Paint.

Pulverize
When an asphalt pavement comes to the end of its useful life and the existing fixed elevations allow it, the pulverizing method is recommended.  Pulverizing is a procedure whereby the existing pavement is ground up and used as additional base, thus eliminating the removal process and the costs associated with it.  The pulverizing procedure adds value by reusing the existing pavement as additional base which ultimately stabilizes the existing stone base with added thickness and reduces project costs of removing and hauling off site the existing asphalt pavement.  After the pulverizing, grading and compacting are completed the asphalt is installed using the appropriate thickness for the pavements application.

Overlay
Overlaying an existing asphalt pavement is a good solution only when the existing pavement still maintains its structural integrity and the existing elevations will allow proper drainage without milling of the entire surface. The overlay provides a new 1½- to 2-inch layer of surface asphalt over your existing pavement.  One drawback to overlaying an existing asphalt pavement is reflective cracking.  Reflective cracking is when the cracks in the old pavement reflect up through the overlay in the same areas. 

Residential Paving
Cicchini Asphalt has been the number one provider of asphalt driveways and approaches in Kenosha and Racine County since 1981.  We take pride in our work.  Customer satisfaction is our main goal. 

New Construction
Whether you start from scratch or have an existing gravel driveway, Cicchini Asphalt can enhance the look and value of your property by installing a new asphalt driveway.  Excavation is performed and a crushed aggregate base is installed when necessary.  Next either the existing gravel driveway or the newly installed crushed base is shaped, graded, and compacted. Finally the new asphalt driveway is installed.

Reconstruction
If your driveway is at the end of its useful life it is recommended that the asphalt pavement be reconstructed.  Reconstruction of a driveway starts with the saw cutting at the road to create a smooth transition.  Next the deteriorated asphalt is excavated and removed from the site.  The base course is shaped graded and compacted and the new asphalt is installed. 

Asphalt Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your asphalt pavement is the best way to maximize the useful life of your asphalt.

Crack Filling
The procedure of crack filling consists of cleaning out all vegetation and dirt from major cracks ¼ inch or larger with a motorized crack cleaner.  Next all the major cracks are blown out and the surface of the pavement where the cracks are is cleaned.  Finally, the cracks are filled with a hot pour (rubberized) polymeric joint sealer to prevent moisture from getting under the asphalt pavement. 

Benefits of Crack Filling
Crack filling should be done prior to any seal coat applications.  If cracks are left unattended, water is able to penetrate to the base soaking and swelling the limestone, thus destroying its strength and load bearing capabilities.  For a long-term repair, hot poured crack sealant should be used to prevent moisture penetration and extend pavement life.

Seal Coating
The procedure of seal coating should always include crack filling as well.  As described above the cracks are cleared of all vegetation and dirt and then the entire pavement surface is thoroughly cleaned of all dirt and debris.  After cleaned, two coats of a commercial grade coal tar emulsion are applied to the asphalt pavement.  After the second coat of sealer is applied, the sealed pavement must be clear of car traffic for a period of 24 hours.  If the pavement has striping it will be re-striped within the 24 hour period during which it cannot be driven on. 

Benefits of Seal Coating
Seal coating protects the asphalt against UV radiation or simply sunlight.  The first and most obvious sign of degradation is the gradual change in the color of the asphalt from black to brown and finally to gray.  Also, because the asphalt is oxidizing under UV radiation it loses its flexibility.  When asphalt loses its flexibility it becomes brittle, begins to crack and break.  A seal coating will restore the natural characteristics of asphalt as a flexible pavement.  It will also protect the pavement against the harmful effects of salt, chemicals and petroleum products.  Petroleum products cause most of the damage as witnessed by oil spots and gas spills.  The reason for its poor resistance is that asphalt is a petroleum product.  Naturally, gasoline and oils will dissolve directly into the asphalt, soften the structure and eventually cause major damage to asphalt pavements.  The seal coat application will create a shield to protect the asphalt pavement from many of these harmful elements.