Blog

Are you installing a new driveway from scratch? Trying to decide between asphalt and concrete, two of the cheaper options for paving? 

We may be biased, but we believe asphalt driveways are far superior to concrete driveways. In this blog post, we explain why. Keep reading to find out more!

Difference Between Asphalt and Concrete

Asphalt and concrete are composed of different materials. 

Asphalt is made of mineral aggregates (typically crushed rock and sand) and binder (typically bitumen, which is refined petroleum). Concrete, on the other hand, is made of cement, water, and aggregates. 

Asphalt Is Cheaper Than Concrete

• Concrete costs $5 to $6 per square foot.
• Asphalt costs $2 to $5 per square foot.

Asphalt Is More Attractive Than Concrete

Of course, attractiveness is subjective. However, most people would agree that the sleek, black appearance of asphalt is much more appealing than the drab, grey appearance of concrete. 

Asphalt Is More Durable Than Concrete

To be fair, concrete is extremely durable in its own right. It just so happens that asphalt is even more durable. As a petroleum-based product, its flexibility means it is able to withstand heavy wear-and-tear, vehicle traffic, and harsh elements. It doesn’t crack easily if it’s well maintained with regular sealcoating. 

At United Asphalt Paving, we’re here to provide you with the best asphalt materials and driveway installations in Fort Worth. A family-owned paving company with 25+ years of experience in the trade, we have what it takes to help you get the most out of your new asphalt driveway.

Call now to schedule an appointment!

Here in Texas, where the sun is notoriously strong, most of us understand the importance of wearing sunscreen. After all, we know the serious damage that direct sun exposure will do to our skin over time. 

But how many of us apply that same understanding to asphalt maintenance? 

Here’s what you need to know about the effects of sunlight on asphalt and how you can protect your pavement.

How UV Rays Affect Your Blacktop

The sun’s UV rays don’t cause serious destruction overnight. It takes time. 

Gradually, UV rays oxidize the oils in your asphalt, causing the bonds to weaken. At first, your pavement will fade to gray. Then, slowly but surely, the bonds in your asphalt will deteriorate to the point that water is able to penetrate the surface and make its way down to the foundation. This is where the serious damage happens. 

If enough time passes without intervention, major cracks and potholes will form. 

What You Can Do About It

Sealcoat your driveway or parking lot. Think of it as sunscreen for your pavement!

Fill in minor cracks and apply a quality sealcoat to protect your surface from water intrusion. This should be done every three to five years and will prevent future damage.

However, if your pavement is riddled with deep potholes, wide cracks, or other major faults, then sealcoating will only be a Band-Aid. You’ll likely need professional asphalt repair service.

For some of the most cost-effective and efficient asphalt repairs in Fort Worth, call United Asphalt Paving!

Do you have a pothole or wide crack in your asphalt that needs patching?

When it comes to pothole repair in Fort Worth, you have two options: Do it yourself with a cold patch kit from the hardware store, or hire a paving contractor to do a hot mix asphalt repair. Both of these options involve filling in a pothole, which is the only way to repair a pothole, but they come with their own pros and cons.

To help you decide which method is right for you, here’s what you need to know about each one.

1. DIY Cold Patch Repair

Cold patch asphalt repair involves a pre-mixed filler that any property owner can buy at their local hardware store. You pour it into the pothole or wide crack and pack it in with a tamper (preferred) or backside of a shovel. Done. 

Cold patch asphalt repairs are easy and cheap. However, they’re Band-Aids, not permanent solutions. Eventually, further erosion of the pothole or crack will occur, and you’ll need to patch it up all over again. 

2. Professional Hot Mix Asphalt Repair

On the other hand, when a professional paving contractor like United Asphalt Paving performs hot mix asphalt repair, you get long-lasting protection against further erosion. First, we excavate the asphalt around the pothole or crack. Then, we fill in the entire area with hot asphalt and seal it. Doing this corrects the underlying problem that caused water penetration and erosion in the first place. 

While hot mix pothole patching is certainly more expensive upfront, it will end up saving you more money—along with your time and sanity—in the long run.

The good news is, you can’t go wrong with either choice. Your decision will come down to how much money you want to spend in the short-term and how urgently you need the pothole patched. 

Have any other questions about the process of patching potholes and other asphalt repairs in Fort Worth? Don’t hesitate to reach out. United Asphalt Paving is here to help!

Putting your home on the market soon?

Pave your driveway.

Paving your driveway is one project that will instantly add immense value to your home. Whether you’ve currently got a driveway that’s unpaved and covered in dirt or gravel, or an old asphalt driveway that’s cracked, crumbling, and warped, getting it freshly paved will make a world of difference for potential buyers. 

Not only does a smooth, neat blacktop boost your curb appeal, but it also improves the quality of life for whoever owns the house. 

Because of fresh asphalt’s built-in benefits and its appeal to potential buyers, you’ll more than make up the cost of the paving installation when you sell. 

The ROI of a Brand-New Driveway

In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the average cost of new driveway paving is around $7,000 (with the range being $4,000 to $10,000, depending on the square footage). That’s a big number, to be sure. However, local real estate agents will tell you that it’s worth every penny.

Why? Because, by some estimations, you can expect to add anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 to your resale value from a paved driveway! Not to mention the fact that you’ll attract lots of interested buyers from the curb appeal alone–which means you’ll likely sell your home a lot more quickly than you would have otherwise. 

So, if you’re looking to get your house up on the market this fall, get your driveway paved ASAP! Call United Asphalt Paving in Fort Worth today to schedule your estimate.

“When can I sealcoat my new pavement?”

We hear this question a lot from our customers. And we get it: Now that you’ve installed your brand-new driveway or parking lot, you’re eager to do everything you can to preserve it. Understandably, you’re wondering how soon you can lay down a fresh coat of sealant to ensure long-lasting protection. However, this is not something you want to rush.

In fact, when it comes to sealing new pavement, patience is key.

Here’s what you need to know.

You Must Wait for Asphalt to Cure

Applying sealcoat too soon after new asphalt has been installed will lead to the retention of excessive oil. Instead, you must wait for the asphalt to oxidize and cure before sealing it. So, how long does that take?

It depends.

While it can take several months—even up to a year—for asphalt to completely cure, you don’t need to wait that long. It just needs to be cured enough that a sufficient amount of the asphalt’s oil has been released. This usually takes about 30 days. You’ll know it’s ready when the surface has gone from black to dark gray, and it’s no longer soft. 

Here in Texas, you’re lucky. The power of the sun down here means your asphalt will cure more quickly. However, if we encounter a humid spell, the process might slow down a bit. Since there are so many external variables, we advise waiting a minimum of 30 days before sealcoating. Other paving contractors even recommend waiting up to 90 days! 

As long as your asphalt appears to have cured, though, you should be okay. 

But if you have any questions or want our expert advice about sealcoating new asphalt, don’t hesitate to call United Asphalt Paving!