Services
ADA Compliance
The “ADA” (Americans with Disabilities Act) has set forth design standards for paving and striping that must be followed to be in compliance with the law. AMS Paving can provide you with the expertise to remove your existing non compliant features and install new ADA compliant ramps and handicap access. In the case that the area must be re-engineered completely, an outside architect firm may be brought in to design the plans for AMS Paving to follow.
Asphalt Removal and Replacement
Removal and replacement consists of removing and disposing of the existing asphalt and repaving the area with new asphalt. Typically, a removal and replacement is necessary when an asphalt surface has failed beyond the point where it can be salvaged. It is not uncommon to replace and compact the base material below the asphalt at that time if the foundation is unstable. AMS Paving specializes in removal and replacement using only the highest quality equipment and personnel to complete your project.
Asphalt Repair and Patching
Asphalt repairs can be completed in different manners. One option is to remove and replace only those areas that are particularly damaged or deteriorated.
Another option is to patch only the affected areas. Patching includes the use of fine asphalt mixtures to patch areas where only a thin layer of asphalt is necessary or desired. The fine mix asphalt is usually used to fill low areas where water pools and doesn’t drain or worn areas that need to be patched. This application is typically bid as part of a larger project for those small areas that need to be brought up to grade or patched.
Concrete Removal, Replacement and New Installations
Because the density of concrete holds up against water erosion better than asphalt, it is primarily used to form curbs and gutters but can also be used as a traffic surface. The scope of work for concrete installation will change depending on how much weight and traffic the surface will be subject to.
Installing concrete is a three step process. First, the area must be prepared and forms are set to hold the liquid concrete in place. Next, the concrete is poured into these forms and smoothed out by hand. Finally, when the materials have dried, the forms are removed and any landscaping or asphalt may be installed.
Crack Sealing
Crack sealing is the process of using hot rubberized seal or cold pour to seal cracks in the asphalt surface. This is an excellent method of treating cracks between ¼” and 1” wide. Anything smaller than ¼” is too narrow for the rubberized seal to penetrate, and anything larger than 1” is highly susceptible to further movement and separation and crack sealing will provide a very short-term solution. A layer of seal coat is always recommended after crack sealing to protect the rubberized seal from the elements. This rubberized seal will settle into place as it cools, resulting in lower lying channels on the pavement that will be visible through the newly seal coated surface. Your pavement surface will still need to relieve pressure after crack seal and cracks can reopen or widen. It is important to note that crack seal is not a permanent solution, but is a cost-efficient way to preserve your asphalt surface until it is more feasible with your time or budget to undergo more extensive renovations.
Grading and New Paving
New Paving is the application of new hot asphalt applied to either native soil or rock base material. Thickness of the asphalt section or the size of the rock used will change depending on how much weight and traffic the surface will be subject to. The asphalt may be paved in multiple lifts as well to be sure the proper compaction is reached.
It is very common to place a section of base material under new asphalt; base material, or more accurately, rock base, is a very frequently used mixture of rock and sand, which is able to attain a high rate of compaction. The utilization of base material provides a strong underpinning to the new asphalt being placed. Heavy traffic areas will destroy new asphalt if it is not on strong base material at the time of the installation.
Finally, grading of the base material is required. Grading is the movement of dirt or base material to achieve the proper elevations prior to paving. Grading is necessary to smooth and compact the finish surface in order to be ready to receive asphalt which will mirror the grade as it has been left.
Grinding and Pulverizing
Grinding asphalt has a number of different applications depending on the particular result desired. Grinding is typically done on a linear foot basis to enable a smooth transition from an existing asphalt surface to one that will be newly paved. Usually a small grinder is used to grind away 1″ to 2″ of existing asphalt, so that as the new asphalt that is laid adjacent to the old asphalt has a smooth transition from one to the other.
Pulverizing is a method that mixes the existing asphalt with the base material anywhere from 5 “ to 12”, or more. This method allows for the existing asphalt to be salvaged and recycled on the property as a stronger base material.
Overlays and Fabric Overlays
Patching or overlaying includes the use of fine asphalt mixtures to patch areas where only a thin layer of asphalt is necessary or desired. The fine mix asphalt is usually used to fill low areas where water pools and doesn’t drain or worn areas need to be patched. This application is typically bid as part of a larger project for those small areas that need to be brought up to grade or patched.
Petromat is a pavement reinforcing fabric specifically designed for the paving industry. Its primary function is to strengthen and reinforce the base course of asphalt upon which the new asphalt will be placed. An additional benefit is that it helps to mitigate mirror or reflective cracking (cracks in the existing asphalt) from coming up through to the new asphalt. The process involves laying a binder coat of hot oil which enables layers of asphalt to stick to one another, then laying the Petromat Fabric, and finally, overlaying these with a layer of asphalt, typically between 1-1/4″ and 2″ thick. AMS Paving uses state of the art equipment and professional personnel to provide you the highest quality job in the industry.
Seal Coating and Striping
Asphalt seal coat is designed to protect asphalt pavements from the damaging effects of the environment, including moisture, pollutants, and oxidation.
Seal coating also minimizes raveling (the loss of aggregate) and fills minor voids in the surface. Other benefits include creating a uniform color and appearance for all paved asphalt surfaces. Seal coat make a smooth and attractive surface that resists aging and protects the valuable pavement.
It is not uncommon to seal cracks in the asphalt with hot rubberized crack seal or cold pour prior to the application of a seal coat. However, crack seal is a temporary fix and will sink. Pavements that exhibit extensive cracking, base failure, or severe surface raveling will not significantly benefit from seal coating.
Normal curing time is 24 hours for moderate temperature and humidity conditions. Drying time may need to be extended when the asphalt is cold or in the shade. Minimum application temperature is 55 degrees. It is sometimes recommended that (2) coats be applied. As the initial surface preparation and edge work make up the majority of the cost of the first application, adding a second layer is economical and increases overall durability. To reduce long-term maintenance expenses, industry experts recommend that pavement be seal coated every three to four years, depending on traffic and overall condition.
New traffic paint (striping) is then applied to define traffic patterns, designated parking areas, etc. AMS Paving Inc. provides all of your signage needs as well. Whether it be “No Parking,” “Parking By Permit Only,” or custom signage, we will work with you to create and install your signs.
This phase often includes curb painting with traffic paint to define their specific use and/or applying word stencils directly to your curb surface. AMS Paving uses the highest quality equipment and material to ensure that your projects look professional every time.