Property owners often look at their driveway and realize patching is no longer enough. When a driveway has serious cracking, rutting, or surface damage, Asphalt Milling is usually the most reliable way to reset the pavement without starting over from scratch. In Sevier County, the heavy clay soils and shifting seasonal weather cause a lot of damage to paved surfaces. Property owners in Lockesburg, AR who are gearing up for a project need a clear plan before the heavy equipment rolls onto their property.
What the Timeline Looks Like
Most residential and small commercial Asphalt Milling jobs move very fast. Once Horizon Asphalt Solutions is on-site, the actual Asphalt Milling process takes 1 to 2 days, depending on the square footage and depth required. However, the total project timeline needs to factor in weather delays, the condition of the sub-base, and whether a fresh hot-mix overlay is being installed right after. Horizon Asphalt Solutions always checks the forecast first because unexpected spring or autumn downpours can halt the Asphalt Milling work.
What to Expect During the Milling Process
Watching a cold-planer perform Asphalt Milling is a major sight. The machine uses a massive rotating drum lined with carbide teeth to grind away the damaged top layer of asphalt, typically shaving off 1 to 4 inches. A conveyor belt loads those ground-up pieces, known as reclaimed asphalt pavement or millings, directly into dump trucks. There is plenty of noise and some dust during Asphalt Milling, but our crews sweep the surface clean before we leave so debris is not tracked everywhere. That textured surface left behind by Asphalt Milling provides a very solid bonding agent when putting down a new layer right on top.
How to Prepare Your Property
Getting ready for Asphalt Milling is straightforward, but skipping steps will slow things down. All vehicles, trailers, and basketball hoops must be cleared far away from the work zone before the crew arrives. Irrigation systems need to be marked if they run close to the edges of the pavement. Pets must be kept safely indoors because the noise and vibration from the Asphalt Milling machinery will stress them out. Horizon Asphalt Solutions will discuss alternative parking with property owners beforehand if the main access point is blocked overnight.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Contract
Property owners should never sign a contract until clarifying key details about Asphalt Milling with their contractor. You should always ask what happens to the milled asphalt, whether the contractor is hauling it away, or if you can keep it to use as a sturdy base material elsewhere on your property. Find out how they handle unexpected sub-base issues if soft spots are uncovered once the top layer is stripped off during Asphalt Milling. Ask about exact depth measurements and how they plan to tie the new edges into your existing garage apron, walkways, or curbs. Getting those answers upfront keeps the Asphalt Milling project running properly from day one.