Surface cracks and rutting can get completely out of hand on a driveway or commercial lot in Montgomery, AL. If the foundation is still rock solid, tearing everything out and starting from scratch is a waste of money. Asphalt Milling provides a solution for this issue. By grinding off the damaged top layer, property owners save time and cash while prepping the site for a fresh lift of Asphalt. Quantum Asphalt Solutions sees plenty of properties across Montgomery, AL dealing with heavy clay soils and brutal summer heat that wear down pavement prematurely. Property owners gearing up for an Asphalt Milling project need a solid plan.
What the Timeline Looks Like
Most residential and small commercial Asphalt Milling jobs move fast. For a standard driveway or compact parking lot, the physical Asphalt Milling process usually takes just one day. A massive commercial space might stretch into two days. The grinding phase is only part of the work. A typical Asphalt Milling project flows through a few distinct steps:
- Day one covers the heavy machinery moving in, grinding down the specified depth, and hauling away the old asphalt.
- Immediately following the grind, crews sweep the surface clean and inspect the exposed base for any soft spots.
- The new hot-mix asphalt gets laid down and compacted, often right on the heels of the Asphalt Milling crew to protect the base.
Weather plays a major role around Montgomery, AL. Sudden afternoon downpours during humid Montgomery summers can throw a wrench in paving schedules. Quantum Asphalt Solutions builds a buffer day into the estimate just in case the skies open up.
How to Prepare Your Property
Property owners do not need to do any heavy lifting, but a little prep work keeps things moving smoothly on day one of Asphalt Milling. First off, clear all vehicles off the property well before the crew arrives. Move them onto the street or a neighboring lot. If cars are left sitting in the way, it shuts down the milling machine and stalls the whole operation.
Turn off any automatic lawn sprinklers for the duration of the work. Standing water or soggy sub-bases make it impossible to lay fresh asphalt correctly. Property owners should also mark any hidden hazards like shallow utility lines, custom sprinkler heads, or invisible dog fence wires near the edges of the pavement so the heavy equipment does not chew them up.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Contract
Never sign on the dotted line until you have gotten straight answers from your contractor. A reputable crew will gladly walk you through the details of Asphalt Milling. Here are the core questions you need to ask:
- How are you handling drainage issues? If your old driveway pooled water near the garage, the new mill and pave job needs to correct that slope.
- What is your exact plan for hauling away the millings, and is debris cleanup included in the bid?
- Are you sub-contracting any of this work out, or is your own crew handling the Asphalt Milling and paving from start to finish?
- What kind of warranty comes with the final product, and what does it actually cover?
Getting these details squared away upfront ensures your Asphalt Milling project goes off without a hitch and leaves you with a smooth surface that lasts for years in Montgomery, AL.