According to the Asphalt Cement and Fuel Price Index, the price of a ton of liquid asphalt skyrocketed from $332 in 2017 to $466 in 2020. This represents a significant increase. Unfortunately, construction industry experts predict that the cost of raw materials such as asphalt and concrete will skyrocket in the coming year as a result of the unstable economy, regulations regarding sulphur fuel, trade restrictions, and the promise of additional tariffs. These factors will all contribute to the rise in cost.
Because of the recent spike in prices, many public works and highway departments across the country are being forced to rely on materials that are less expensive but also less durable in order to complete coat-and-seal work. These effects are already visible not only in New Jersey but also in communities across the rest of the country.
The good news is that there are several options available to offset the spiraling expense of asphalt. You will learn how to lock in your rate and avoid paying extra for asphalt paving, resurfacing, and sealcoating by reading the information contained in this article.
Make plans for your initiatives right away
Now is the time to arrange your asphalt paving, repair, and resurfacing projects if we use the unpredictable state of the construction and commodities markets in 2018 as an indicator for 2020. The year 2018 showed that believing asphalt prices will decrease is about as effective as hoping the cracks in your driveway will just disappear without any effort on your part. To get rid of the asphalt project once and for all, you will need to assign priorities to it, just like you do with most other things in life. As time, weather, chemicals, salt, and regular wear and tear continue to undermine the integrity of your asphalt surface, the problem is likely to become even worse.
It is in your best interest to bite the bullet, look for a local paving company that you can trust with your property, such as Henry’s Asphalt Paving, and place your asphalt order as soon as possible before costs soar and resources become scarce.
Don’t Wait For Winter Damage
Asphalt surfaces deteriorate as a result of the cold winter temperatures. The combination of low temperatures, snow, and ice can make any cracks in your parking lot much worse and significantly shorten its lifespan. Because of this, it is in your best interest to get repairs scheduled for your asphalt parking lot as soon as possible rather than waiting until winter. As soon as the temperature lowers, paving will be impossible because it is too cold.
In addition to that, there is the problem of clearing the snow. Your parking lot could sustain significant damage from snow plows, salt, and heavy equipment if you use them. Your fissures will change into potholes as the cracks spread and more moisture enters and freezes, which will create an unpleasant experience for your clients and an unexpected surprise for your snow plowers. Simple preventative maintenance, including crack-sealing and sealcoating, can combat the damage caused by winter and prevent unpleasant surprises from appearing after the snow has been shovelled off.
Preventative measures
Milling and replacing a whole parking lot is never an option that is cost-efficient, but significant pavement problems only get more expensive with time. Avoiding the need for asphalt repair in the first place is the most effective strategy for lowering your expenses and offsetting the industry-wide trend of growing prices. The following is a list of preventative maintenance actions that you may perform to lengthen the life of your driveway or parking lot.
Cracksealing: It is a process that seals the cracks in an asphalt surface to prevent the collection of water and debris within those crevices.
Sealcoating: It provides resistance to oil and gas spills and stops the spread of stress fractures, thereby improving the aesthetics of the asphalt surface and prolonging the life of the entire asphalt structure. Sealcoating also provides resistance to water and other liquids that may spill onto the asphalt.
Pavement Management Plans are essential to any company or organization that wishes to maintain a low overhead and improve their bottom line. By contacting Direct Masonry and Paving immediately for a consultation, you can maintain your parking log for just a few pennies per square foot, which will have a positive impact on your bottom line.
WHAT IS THE COST OF PAVING A DRIVEWAY?
If you are reading this, it is likely that you are a Philadelphia’s resident whose driveway has lost its curb appeal, or you are a new homeowner looking to have a new driveway installed, and you are taking the steps to ensure a quality surface for the best value. If this is the case, you are in the right place. Since 1950, Direct Masonry and Paving has been providing London residents with brand new driveways and private roads that they have constructed themselves. As a paving firm that is in its third generation, we will do our best to respond to all of your inquiries and provide you with an estimate of the costs connected with installing your paved surface. This will enable you to make the choice that is most beneficial for your property. You may get a free estimate over the phone or by clicking HERE to find out how much your new driveway will cost in its entirety.
WHAT IS THE EXPECTED COST OF A DRIVEWAY?
The first thing to consider when estimating how much a new driveway will set you back is the kind of material that will be used. You are presented with a few options (Asphalt, concrete, tar & chip, brick pavers and more). As a firm that specializes in asphalt paving, we constantly make sure to inform our customers that asphalt, which is also known as blacktop in some contexts, is the SURFACE THAT IS CHEAPEST, HARDEST, AND CLEANEST FOR THE DOLLAR. The price of asphalt paving ranges from approximately $3.00 to $4.00 per square foot on average, however this can vary greatly depending on the scale of the job (quality & topography of your property, slopes, curves, etc).
Concrete is another option, however the cost is normally around $6-7.00 per square foot. Stamped concrete typically costs between $8 and $12 per square foot, but the price can go as high as $18 per square foot for more complicated projects. If you go with brick pavers, plan on spending approximately $17–20.00 per square foot. A few of our clients favor the more homey atmosphere that Hot Tar & Chip exudes. A tar and chip treatment, also known as chip-and-seal, seal chip, macadam, or liquid asphalt and stone, makes your home more attractive and increases its value. It is an excellent choice if you place a high priority on both savings and the quality of your home’s appearance. This treatment typically costs between $2 and $2.50 per square foot.
Artistry and Aesthetic appeal
When it comes to aesthetics, each person has their own unique perspective on what constitutes beauty. The majority of people who have expressed interest in our services have indicated that they want a “extension of the road” and will go with asphalt. People favor asphalt despite the fact that the only colors available for it are black and, on occasion, a darker red. This is due to the fact that asphalt may be sealcoated in the future in order to give it a fresh look. Special tints can be applied to asphalt either at the end as a sealer or during the mixing process for an additional fee, despite the fact that this service is rarely requested. When it comes to hiding oil leaks and stains caused by cars, asphalt is superior to concrete in terms of its ability to do so.
Longevity and Reliability
One more thing to think about is how long it will last. To get the most value out of your money, it is only natural that you would want your investment to last the test of time. Asphalt is a surface that is exceptionally long-lasting. If it is laid down correctly and kept in good condition, an asphalt driveway can last for at least 25 years. Especially in the temperatures of the northeastern parts of the United Kingdom, asphalt is an excellent choice for a driveway. Concrete has a propensity to crack and heave in the low temperatures that prevail in Northern area winters; repairs can be challenging, and the costs associated with repairs can be expensive. In addition, the salt that is used to melt ice can cause pits in the concrete, which would then leave blotches across the driveway.
Maintenance and Fixing
Surfaces made of asphalt are significantly simpler to repair and blend than those made of concrete. You are going to want to be on the lookout for any cracks. If they are not repaired, even tiny cracks like hairline fractures have the potential to grow into huge gaps or potholes and cause difficulties. It is recommended that asphalt driveways be treated between six months and a year following installation, and thereafter either every other year or every two years, depending on the volume of vehicle usage. Although this will result in an increase in costs, it will not only make your property more aesthetically pleasing but will also protect it from damaging factors such as water, chemicals, salt, and oil. Concrete may be sealed in order to maintain its appearance and polish.
Extra Expenses
No matter whatever material you select for your new driveways, there is still the possibility that additional charges will be incurred.
Drainage: It is important to have drainage if you want your driveway or private road to last as long as possible. Installing French drains in your driveway might redirect water flow away from your home if the driveway slopes in that direction. Even though it is uncommon, certain communities and HOAs have regulations that must be handled in regard to the handling of water from your property. These requirements may include the installation of drains at the end of the driveway.
Local material costs: The costs of local materials such as fuel, material, and freight might be unpredictable, which can result in either an increase or a decrease in prices.
Petromatting: It is a geotextile material that is covered with a cement tack and then set in between the surface of a paved driveway. Petromat is also known as “Petromat.” This results in increased stress absorption, decreased water penetration, and an extension of the life of asphalt surfaces used for residential purposes. The use of the petromat paving system has been extremely fruitful for Direct Masonry and Paving, particularly due to the fact that it increases the pavement performance and lifespan of new residential asphalt pavement overlays while simultaneously lowering the costs of maintenance and lifecycle operations.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this, and we do hope that the majority of your questions have been addressed. Free consultations are available from Direct Masonry and Paving, which has a location in London. To make an appointment for your free estimate, please call us or click HERE.
DID YOU KNOW THAT EVERY SINGLE BIT OF ASPHALT PAVEMENT FOUND ON ROAD, STREETS, PARKING LOTS, AND AIRPORT RUNWAYS CAN BE RECYCLED?
Even after being recycled for a second and third time, the quality of recycled asphalt pavement is just as excellent as, and in some cases even better than, brand new pavement, according to research that was provided by the National Asphalt Pavement Association. In the United Kingdom, it continues to be reclaimed and reused at a rate that is higher than that of any other product. This is approximately twice as much as all of the other recyclables combined, including paper, glass, aluminium, and plastic.
Several Advantages to Reusing Old Asphalt
Cost benefits: When compared to the price of virgin asphalt, the price of recycled asphalt products is significantly lower per ton. This not only reduces the cost of your project but also reduces the amount of tax revenue required each year, saving taxpayers billions of dollars annually.
Environmental benefit: It is beneficial to the environment as recycling asphalt cuts down on our use of limited natural resources (aggregate and asphalt), while also diverting tons of waste away from landfills in the UK. The amount of carbon emissions that are produced can be decreased further by cutting back on mining, quarrying, and oil consumption.
Durability and reliability: Its resilience comes from the fact that RAP (Recycled Asphalt Products) that has been correctly graded and contains an adequate amount of asphalt and that has been recycled correctly will perform almost identically to virgin asphalt.