Maintaining your asphalt surfaces, including walkways, driveways, parking lots, and roads, is a vital aspect of property management. Over time, weather conditions and traffic can lead to cracks, potholes, and other issues that need to be repaired. 

Many people consider tackling these repairs themselves, but there are compelling reasons why professional services are a better option than DIY asphalt repair. Keep reading to discover the key advantages of hiring a professional asphalt repair company rather than attempting to do it yourself.

1. Expertise and Experience

One of the most significant benefits of working with a professional asphalt repair team is their experience and expertise. As professionals, they have in-depth knowledge of repair techniques, asphalt composition, and best practices. They understand the various factors that can affect the durability and longevity of your asphalt surfaces, including weather conditions, vehicle and foot traffic, and maintenance techniques. This specialized expertise ensures that the job is done right the first time, reducing the risk of costly mistakes that DIY asphalt repair can lead to.

2. Proper Equipment

Companies that specialize in asphalt repair are equipped with professional machinery and equipment specifically designed for asphalt work. These tools allow them to perform repairs with both precision and efficiency. Those who attempt DIY asphalt repair, on the other hand, often lack access to specialized equipment, making the process more time-consuming and difficult. Taking advantage of a professional service provider ensures that your repairs are done quickly and with the proper equipment.

3. Quality Materials

Another crucial aspect of proper asphalt repair is using suitable high-quality materials. Professionals have access to top-tier products and materials that are essential for a long-lasting asphalt surface. Their expertise allows them to assess the unique needs of your project and select materials accordingly, ensuring that the repaired area blends seamlessly with the existing surface and is able to withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy traffic.

4. Safety

Due to a lack of experience, DIY asphalt repair can be a hazardous endeavor. Professionals, on the other hand, are trained to take all the necessary precautions and follow safety guidelines. From using protective gear to managing potential risks associated with the job, safety is a top priority for asphalt repair companies. This makes professional services a safer choice for both the people doing the repairs and anyone in the vicinity.

5. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

When it comes to property maintenance, it’s essential to think of costs with a  long-term perspective. While DIY asphalt repair may seem like a cost-effective solution at first glance, it often leads to more significant expenses down the road. The subpar quality of amateur repairs can result in frequent maintenance and rework. Conversely, professional repairs are designed to stand the test of time, reducing the need for continuous spending on patchwork fixes. Investing in professional asphalt repair saves you both time and money over the years.

6. Improved Curb Appeal

Your property’s exterior appearance, whether it’s residential or commercial, is a reflection of your values. Damaged or deteriorating asphalt surfaces negatively impact the overall curb appeal, reflecting poorly on you or your business. Professional asphalt repair ensures that your surfaces are not only safe and durable but also visually appealing, leaving a positive impression on visitors, customers, and clients.

7. Compliance with Local Regulations

Local governments and authorities often have regulations and codes in place regarding asphalt repair and maintenance. Professional asphalt companies are well-versed in these regulations, ensuring that your repairs comply with all relevant standards. Avoiding potential legal issues and penalties is just one of the many reasons to opt for professional service instead of DIY asphalt repair.

8. Time Savings

Compared to hiring professional help, DIY asphalt repair projects can take significantly longer to complete. When you choose to work with the experts, they complete the job efficiently and within a reasonable timeframe. This saves you valuable time and creates minimal disruption to your daily routines or business operations.

9. Guaranteed Results

Professional asphalt repair companies often provide warranties for their work. This means that if any issues arise after the repairs have been completed, they will address them at no extra cost. With DIY asphalt repairs, you’re on your own if problems occur. Choosing professional service offers peace of mind and ensures you get the results you paid for.

Avoid the Dangers of DIY Asphalt Repair

DIY asphalt repair may be tempting, but the smart choice is to work with a professional company like Precision Asphalt Maintenance. Our expertise, quality materials and equipment, safety assurances, and time and cost savings make a compelling case for choosing us. So the next time you need asphalt repair, call the experts at Precision Asphalt Maintenance.

As we transition into the winter season, snow will start to pile up on your driveway and walkways. Removing snow and ice from these areas is important for your safety and preventing damage to your asphalt. Not all methods to remove snow and ice are created equal when it comes to keeping your asphalt in good condition.

Should you use a shovel to scrap the ice off your driveway or walkway? Are commercial deicers worth the money? Will rock salt cause damage to your asphalt? Below are some eco-friendly and less harmful ways to remove snow and ice from your asphalt. 

Substitute Magnesium Chloride

The most common way to remove snow and ice for homeowners is to use rock salt. Rock salt can be damaging to your asphalt, your shoes, or your pet’s paws. It can also get pushed onto your lawn and cause damage to the grass, preventing it from looking green in the spring. Instead, try using magnesium chloride to help melt ice and snow after a storm.

Potassium chloride also has a low freezing point (15 degrees Fahrenheit) so it can be used to melt ice if you can’t find magnesium chloride. 

The best way to distribute this is by putting the larger pellets in a spreader. This will break them down into smaller pieces and distribute them evenly across the surface of your driveway. Magnesium chloride contains a lower amount of chloride than other ice-melting options but is still corrosive enough to melt through the ice. 

Remove Snow And Ice With Hot Water

Going back to basics can be the easiest way to keep your driveway and walkways clear this winter. Using boiling water or warm water from a garden hose to melt snow or ice will not damage your asphalt. Using the hose or a watering can will help you melt the ice faster than using traditional rock salt. Extending the life of your asphalt by avoiding commercial deicing products will help keep your home looking new and prevent the need for expensive repairs. 

Save Money By Using Rubbing Alcohol

Alcohol is a common ingredient in other commercial deicers, so using it straight without any other mix-ins will be a safe option for your home while helping you have a safe winter. 

Spraying rubbing alcohol to remove snow and ice is another safe way to keep your asphalt in good condition. 70% isopropyl alcohol has an extremely low freezing point which means that it can help remove ice without leaving any frozen residue. 

You can also make a homemade deicing liquid by mixing a gallon of hot water, several drops of dish soap, and ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol. Spread this with a sprayer or just by dumping the liquid across the driveway. Then use your shovel to lift the newly melted ice. 

Keep in mind that when you use water or other liquid, you always run the risk of creating more ice that can lead to slips and falls around your home. 

Avoid Metal Shovels

A bladed shovel or a fully metal shovel may seem like the best option for scraping ice off your driveway, but it can actually damage your asphalt if you haven’t applied a seal coating to it. Chipping away at ice and snow with a metal shovel can not only be damaging to the driveway but also dangerous to you. Ice can splitter and shoot up towards your body.

When you create cracks or holes in your asphalt, this creates the potential for deicing products or moisture to get underneath your driveway and cause issues. Mold can start to grow around your driveway, the asphalt can start to lift, and cracks can make the once-smooth surface look worn. It is important to remove snow and ice in a safe way if you want your asphalt to look brand new for as long as possible. 

Protect Your Asphalt With Precision Asphalt Maintenance

Our experts at Precision Asphalt Maintenance can repair asphalt driveways or apply seal coatings before a harsh winter hits. Seal coatings help to extend the life of your asphalt by keeping cracks or deformations from occurring. We have completed thousands of residential jobs in the state of Utah. This means that we have perfected our application techniques and can apply asphalt or sealants in no time. 

Whether you are looking for pothole repair, slurry sealing, road grading, or other services, PAM offers it all. We want to help prepare your home or business for the upcoming winter by giving you quality asphalt. Contact us to get started on your project today!

A common question that gets asked about the asphalt industry is if previous concrete driveways can be paved over with asphalt. There are many materials that are used for driveway construction, but can they be used together? The short answer is that you can use asphalt over concrete, but there are other factors to be considered before starting this project.

Precision Asphalt Maintenance offers asphalt paving for multiple different projects including roads, parking lots, and driveways. Asphalt is a durable and eco-friendly product that many people choose because of its benefits. This blog will discuss the aspects of concrete, how it works with asphalt, and if one will stick to the other. 

Taking Different Concrete Consistencies Into Account

One consideration when deciding if asphalt can cover concrete is how the concrete was made. Some concrete consistencies are smooth because they are made with sand while others are made from rocks, gravel, and sand of all different sizes. This can change how asphalt lays on top of the concrete slab and how it lasts through different seasons. 

If you want to have proper asphalt coverage, you need to start with an asphalt appropriate sub base. While both concrete and asphalt are poured in a more liquid state, you need to prepare the space so that cracking and bubbling doesn’t occur. Hiring a professional asphalt contractor will ensure that asphalt is applied correctly and environmentally conscious. 

Preparing The Existing Concrete Surface

Proper cleaning is essential before putting asphalt over concrete. Maintenance and repair should also be done before any kind of coating or asphalt is applied. Removing any dirt and repairing large holes will ensure that asphalt adheres to the concrete. 

Concrete Expansion Could Cause Cracking

Concrete and asphalt are prone to cracking or settling. When concrete or asphalt is prepped and poured properly, it is more durable. If there is something wrong within the layers of concrete and you put asphalt over the top, these flaws will become more prominent. 

Expansion joints that are put into concrete when it is set also make putting asphalt on concrete more difficult. These expansion divots will cause the asphalt put on top to dip in these places as well as look very uneven and unstable. A crack could form along the entirety of the driveway when you put asphalt over concrete.

Consider The Slope And Drainage During Application And After

Your driveway slope can affect the thickness of your asphalt and how your driveway will look after it is applied. A sloped driveway helps to direct water away from the foundation of the home and prevents pooling around the driveway. Standing water can cause premature erosion of the asphalt which will lead to an unstable driveway. 

Drainage helps prevent cracking and separating between the asphalt and the concrete. Ditches and gutters can help stormwater move away from the driveway and improve the longevity of your asphalt. 

Choosing The Right Asphalt Thickness

If the underlying concrete is in poor condition, a thicker layer of asphalt will need to be applied. The thickness of asphalt coatings over concrete tends to range between 1.5 to 3 inches. The thicker the asphalt, the more traffic and wear your driveway will be able to withstand. This will give you peace of mind about how your home will look through all different weather situations no matter how many vehicles drive across it. 

Asphalt Paving From Precision Asphalt Maintenance

Our team at Precision Asphalt Maintenance offers the highest quality asphalt paving for homes, businesses, and roads. Properly prepped and poured asphalt can last for many years and is more eco-friendly than other materials. 

We serve the Salt Lake area and cities in Idaho and Wyoming. Through the last decade of business, we have learned how to determine challenges and remedy them before your project is complete. We also offer asphalt seal coating, pavement marking, and replacement for any space that may need some improvements. Get a bid for your project today!