Drivers in Viridian or homeowners looking at their own cracked driveway often wonder what happens to all that old, busted-up pavement when crews fix it. Arlington Asphalt Construction receives questions all the time about Asphalt Milling. Property owners want to know if Asphalt Milling is messy, if Asphalt Milling saves money, or if they can use the leftover chunks for a backyard project. Arlington Asphalt Construction spends a lot of time tearing up old surfaces and putting down fresh Asphalt. Property owners in Arlington, TX can learn what Asphalt Milling actually means for your property.
What exactly is asphalt milling?
Asphalt Milling is shaving the top layer of old, damaged Asphalt off your surface using a massive machine with a rotating drum of carbide teeth. Arlington Asphalt Construction is not digging up your whole yard or disturbing the sub-base unless the sub-base is completely ruined. We usually take off about one to two inches of Asphalt. The process leaves behind a textured, grooved surface that looks like corduroy. That texture is very important because the texture gives the brand-new layer of Asphalt something aggressive to grip onto when we pave over it.
How do I know if I need milling or a complete tear-out?
The choice comes down to what is happening underneath your pavement. Here in Arlington, our clay-heavy soil shifts constantly with the weather, which causes major issues for driveways and parking lots. If your sub-base is solid and the problems are just surface-level cracks, rutting, or oxidation from the brutal Texas sun, Asphalt Milling is a great choice. Asphalt Milling saves you time and money. If your ground is sinking, water is pooling because the grade is wrong, or the Asphalt is alligatoring into crumbly little pieces all the way to the dirt, Asphalt Milling will not work. You will need a full-depth removal and replacement.
Does asphalt milling make a huge mess on my property?
Asphalt Milling is loud and heavy work, and a milling machine is a big piece of equipment. That said, Asphalt Milling is much cleaner than breaking up pavement with a jackhammer or a backhoe because the machine grinds the material up and loads the material straight into a dump truck via a conveyor belt as the machine moves. You will get some dust, and you will not be able to drive on the surface while the machine is running, but Arlington Asphalt Construction sweeps everything up tight before we leave. Most residential Asphalt Milling jobs only take a single day.
Can I use the milled asphalt grindings for a gravel driveway?
Property owners ask Arlington Asphalt Construction this every single week. The short answer is yes, but you need to know what you are getting into. Milled Asphalt contains the original liquid Asphalt binder, which acts like a mild glue when the hot Texas sun hits the material. If you dump the grindings and pack the grindings down with a roller, the surface hardens up much better than regular gravel. The material will not wash away in heavy rain nearly as easily. Keep in mind that the material can track a little bit of oily residue on hot summer days if the material has not cured right.
How much money does milling save compared to a full replacement?
By keeping your existing sub-base and recycling the top layer, you cut down on material disposal fees and the labor hours required for heavy excavation. You save a noticeable amount of money compared to starting completely from scratch. You also do not have to buy as much new virgin aggregate for the top layer. Every job is different based on square footage and thickness, but Asphalt Milling is easily one of the most cost-effective ways to restore a large paved area in Arlington, TX.
If you are staring at a rough surface and trying to figure out the smartest way to fix the surface without wasting money, give Arlington Asphalt Construction a call and our team will come look at what is actually going on underneath.