What Happens When a Dallas TX Asphalt Contractor Fails to Achieve Compaction?
If you’ve ever seen asphalt contractors in Dallas construct new surfaces, you’ve likely seen them use massive road rollers to create the smooth finish we know and love. However, paving companies don’t use this equipment for smoothing alone. It plays a crucial role in compacting the asphalt material. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of compaction and why it’s a top priority for a skilled Dallas TX asphalt contractor.
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ToggleWhat Is Compaction in the Asphalt Paving Process?
Compaction refers to the process of densifying an asphalt mix. Paving companies use asphalt courses containing aggregates, sand, bitumen and other fillers to build surfaces. It’s not like concrete, which often has a high water content to create a more pourable texture. Hot asphalt is chunky, and the aggregates create air pockets as paving companies lay it.
Compaction removes those air voids. It allows asphalt contractors to lock the bitumen and aggregate together, creating a dense and stable material. Compacting helps give cured asphalt its strength, ensuring it can withstand traffic.
There are many ways to compact asphalt, but paving contractors typically use road rollers. Furthermore, the paving stage isn’t the only part of the construction process where compaction matters. Asphalt companies also compact soil and sub-grade materials when building a pavement’s foundation. It helps increase the soil’s load-bearing capacity, preparing it for the asphalt that will sit above.
Why Is Compaction So Important for Dallas TX Asphalt Contractors?
There are several reasons why asphalt contractors in Dallas take compaction so seriously. As mentioned before, it helps remove air pockets, giving the final product its strength, load-bearing capabilities and durability. Compaction also helps minimize damage related to fatigue.
Those tiny air pockets can significantly weaken asphalt, which is why compaction is vital to asphalt paving. Any aggregates that don’t lock together create a possible point of failure. Stress-related damage is more common than you think, and reputable asphalt contractors in Dallas work vigilantly to prevent it in the future.
Air voids also increase the risk of moisture-related trouble. Asphalt companies spend a lot of time compacting the material to minimize the permeability of the finished pavement. Water is asphalt’s mortal enemy, and moisture penetration could cause soil erosion, foundation degradation and more.
What Could Happen If an Inexperienced Dallas TX Asphalt Contractor Does Achieve Proper Compaction?
A great asphalt contractor will use compaction to prevent future issues and prolong your pavement’s life. Inexperienced paving companies may cut corners to save time and money, which often leads to disaster.
Without proper compaction, cracks are not a matter of if but when. These cracks can quickly spread, becoming more serious issues such as potholes, surface depressions, and alligator cracking. This is why skilled paving companies work so hard to eliminate all air pockets.
In addition to cracks, your pavement may not have the strength to support traffic without sufficient compaction from paving contractors. Stress cracking can cause differential settling, buckling, foundation problems and overall low structural integrity.
When planning a new paving project, always go to reputable asphalt contractors in Dallas. An experienced asphalt contractor understands the importance of compaction and will spare no expense to do things right.
Don’t trust just any amateur paving contractors with your construction needs. HI-TEK Paving is among Texas’s most trusted asphalt companies, offering services like new asphalt paving, repair, crack repair, overlays, sealcoating and more. We’ve been in business for many years and work hard to earn our clients’ trust. You don’t have to worry about low-quality work or cut corners when you turn to us. We’re an asphalt contractor that does things right the first time to ensure we deliver results that last.
Call HI-TEK Paving today at (214)906-9641 for a free project quote. You can also reach our team via our online contact form or email us at kevin@hi-tekpaving.com.