The facts about Recycled versus Virgin Mix Asphalt

As an asphalt paving contractor part and parcel to doing our work is the asphaltic concrete material that is placed on the roads or parking lots we pave. In most projects the material is the most expensive portion. Given that fact, the question becomes, “How do we save money on the material in order to pass along those savings to our clients and ourselves?”. In the asphalt world, there are actually many options that a client has when specifying asphalt material for their projects. These options can increase or decrease the material price, directly affecting the final cost of the project. One of those options is selecting either recycled or non-recycled (virgin) asphalt.

How inspections help owners and property managers save money and budget for the future

Did you know that you need to budget five or ten years down the road to maintain your sidewalks and parking lots? If you’re like many other facility and property managers, the answer is probably, “No”. If you don’t have a background in the asphalt and concrete world or you’re just busy and overwhelmed putting out the daily fires, then it can be difficult to spend time managing your pavement and sidewalk. Having a pavement maintenance inspection done can bring clarity to current issues and help plan for the future. Why is this important?

The Problem

From the day asphalt is installed in your parking lot, it has a shelf life. The paving and sidewalks around your facility bear the brunt of many days of sun and rain, wind and cold. They endure endless applications of salt and sand, ice melt and snow plows. Heavy truck and car traffic constantly run over them. Wrap that all up with cold winters and hot summers, and it is easy to see how pavement and concrete can plain wear out. It is because of exposure to the daily wear and tear that it is important to stay vigilant when it comes to maintaining your facility parking and walking surfaces. Pavement evaluations are one tool a facility or property manager can use to stay on top of things.