The #1 Paving Contractor in Santa Cruz
We have over 15 years of paving experience.
We can
pave roads, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and any other place that needs to be paved. If you have any questions or would like a quote please give us a call today.
SCUP Is The Paving Expert In Santa Cruz County
The majority, if not all, residents have some sort of paved surface outside of their homes or buildings. An area is not paved simply for aesthetic purposes but there are multiple benefits that come with having paved surfaces. First, an area is paved for the protection of those that walk or drive through these surfaces. There are areas that if left unpaved are more susceptible to different elements, such as wind and rain. These elements can wash away the soil which may compromise the structure making them a safety risk. If an area is paved, these safety risks will be minimized.
Paving also enhances the exterior appearance of one’s home or commercial property since this is the first thing that they see. If you want to give out a good first impression, having your driveway/pathway/walkways paved would enhance the appearance of your home or building which also increases the value of your property. At the same time, an unpaved surface may become muddy or bumpy when it rains. This may lead to uneven surfaces which pose safety concerns. If a surface is paved, there is ensured longevity that it does not get uneven even after it rains.
Here are the paving services that we offer:
Asphalt Paving and Installation
94% of the roads in America are surfaced with asphalt. Asphalt pavement is known for being cost-effective and durable. It is the strength that asphalt offers that makes it the most preferred option for most paved surfaces. If asphalt is properly laid out, it can last for as long as 20 to 25 years. If you are looking for a long-lasting pavement that can be used over and over again, we recommend opting for asphalt pavement.
Asphalt is made up of sand, stone, additives, and petroleum asphalt. One of the best things about asphalt is that it is extremely flexible which allows it to adapt to the different weathers that it may be exposed to. Another advantage of asphalt is that it can repel water.
Prior to installation, there is a lot of preparation that occurs. Unless the asphalt will be applied over existing asphalt, a good chunk of the work happens when the ground to which asphalt will be applied is prepared properly since this determines the life of the asphalt pavement. The ground has to be cleared and excavated properly and should be done by trained professionals to ensure the longevity of your asphalt pavement. A thin coat of liquid asphalt binder is to be applied on the surface that you will be applying asphalt to since this will allow the asphalt to properly stick to the surface below it. The asphalt mixture is then applied on top using rollers. The quality of the surface will rely heavily on the asphalt mix and the rolling methods that were used. After application, it will take a minimum of 24 hours for the asphalt to solidify. If there isn’t enough time given for it to solidify then it may result in poor quality pavement.
After the asphalt paving process is completed, it will then be influenced by different elements. These include time, snow, cold, heat, and rain. The more asphalt is introduced to these elements, the more likely it will break down. This is why asphalt maintenance is extremely important. Maintenance includes seal coating, patching, and crack sealing which can help prolong the life cycle of the pavement.
Paving Maintenance & Replacement
Even though asphalt is known for its longevity, it can still be exposed to different factors that may lead to its decay. This is why proper pavement maintenance should be practiced in order to lengthen the lifespan of your pavement. The cost of addressing minor defects is cheaper in comparison to the cost of addressing major defects, which is why maintenance is an integral part of having your surface paved.
Patching is one of the options for pavement maintenance. Patching is the process of filling in potholes or excavated areas in the pavement. This is a relatively quick repair that can help avoid further damage to the pavement. If patching is not performed, water can seep into asphalt which can speed up the disintegration. Deep patching is when the full depth of the pavement is replaced which is considered a permanent repair. Surface patching is only filling out parts of the pavement and is considered to be a temporary solution.
Crack Sealing is probably the most important maintenance activity to keep your road or surface in good condition. Most pavement problems are caused by water seeping through cracks. If it is possible to keep water out of the pavement then a lot of the major problems can be avoided. Crack sealing is the process of applying adhesive sealant into the cracks of the pavement. The most important part of the procedure is the preparation of the cracks for treatment. It is also important to choose the best season for when crack sealing should be done. There may be instances wherein the cracks need to be routed or when dirt should be removed within the cracks using high-pressure air and wire brushing. After the preparation of the cracks, they are then sealed with liquid asphalt. The equipment used varies depending on how large of an area needs to be filled. The crack is filled from the bottom to the top to prevent bubbles from forming which can weaken the material. Lastly, a squeegee is used to remove excess sealant from the surface.
It is important to note, however, that crack sealing is not suitable for every single situation. If there are much larger cracks or potholes present, it might not be possible for crack sealing to fix the problem. Crack sealing is not suitable for fixing alligatored cracks, which are interconnected cracking on the asphalt surface. It is also possible that crack sealing will be used alongside patching in order to cover larger-scale areas. It is important to consult trained professionals to choose the correct maintenance solution for you.
Santa Cruz Underground & Paving crews specialize in paving parking lots, streets, driveways and paths. We also do repairs and seal coats. Here are a few pictures of our crews in action.
