Is your driveway, parking lot, or other surfaces paved with concrete? You may want to make the switch to asphalt. The most widely-used paving material, asphalt offers so many benefits. In this post, we'll examine the benefits of asphalt, the pros and cons of laying asphalt over concrete, and the cost of removing concrete.
Asphalt has lower installation and maintenance costs
One of the biggest advantages of asphalt over concrete is the lower installation maintenance costs. As asphalt begins showing signs of wear and tear, you'll spend less fixing it thanks to options such as seal coating, crack filling, and resurfacing. When concrete ages, you'll have to replace it.
Durability
While asphalt and concrete are very durable paving materials, asphalt lasts longer than concrete. That's because asphalt is flexible, enabling it to withstand temperature changes without cracking or flaking. It can handle extreme weather conditions such as snow, rainstorm, and heat and won't damage under the weight of heavy vehicles.
Asphalt is more aesthetically pleasing and safer
With its rich, dark color, asphalt looks better than concrete, enhancing the curb appeal of your property. In addition, the black color helps with heat retention, which melts snow faster, making snow melts faster.
Can I install asphalt over concrete?
Now that you understand the benefits of asphalt over concrete, it's time to switch. Already have an existing concrete pavement? You may want to know if it's possible to overlay asphalt over concrete. The short answer is YES, especially if the elevation works for it. However, the downsides outweigh the benefits, so you want to weigh your options carefully.
The advantage of paving asphalt over concrete is the initial cost savings. You won't have to spend money removing the existing concrete or laying a base. There'll also be considerable time savings. There are numerous drawbacks, however. While we'll overlay asphalt over your concrete if that's what you want, we recommend that you remove the concrete before laying your asphalt for the reasons:
Disadvantages of laying asphalt over concrete
Weak base
Asphalt pavements are durable because they are built on a compact base, which won't be available if you lay asphalt over concrete. On the other hand, concrete pavements rely on their thick slabs, rather than a solid base, for durability. As a result, many concrete structures have weak and unstable bases, which are simply inadequate for asphalt.
Your pavement won't last long
Laying your asphalt over such concrete pavement is thus a disaster waiting to happen, as the asphalt will inevitably crack when the base shifts, sinks, and moves under the weight of vehicles. When your asphalt laid over concrete is damaged, you'll have to remove everything and lay the right base. As such, it's more cost-effective to do the right thing from the beginning.
Concrete expansion joints cause cracks
Concrete pavements are installed with expansion joints that allow them to expand and contract with temperature changes. If you pour asphalt over concrete, the expansion joints will result in cracks in the asphalt as they expand and contract during freeze-thaw periods.
How much does it cost to remove concrete?
When removing a concrete surface, you'll have to demolish the concrete, remove and dispose of the broken-up concrete debris, and properly grade the ground.
How much it costs to do this depends on several factors, including the thickness of the concrete, site preparation, location, and so on.
Laying asphalt over concrete can save money and time. However, there are significant drawbacks down the road. Get in touch with the experts at Hicks Paving. We'll assess your pavement, explain your options as well as their pros and cons, and recommend the best method.