Blog

The short answer? As soon as possible.

Whether it’s a pothole, crack, or crumbling asphalt, your damaged pavement needs to be repaired right away. It will only get worse the longer it’s left alone.

This post will explain why asphalt repairs are so urgent (especially in commercial environments) and why United Asphalt Paving is the crew for the job. Keep reading to learn more!

Why Asphalt Repairs Are So Urgent

It’s a lot easier and cheaper to make moderate asphalt repairs immediately than to sit and wait and completely resurface pavement that’s had years’ worth of cumulative damage.

This is because minor faults and cracks will expand as the surface is continually exposed to water over time. Not only does water erode the asphalt, but it also expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations.

That effect is compounded by the continuous wear-and-tear of traffic—particularly on roads and parking lots—turning small defects into substantial decay.

Writing for Asphalt (the official magazine of the Asphalt Institute), John Davis explains it more concisely: “Cracks become potholes and potholes become craters.”

In other words, the longer you let distressed asphalt fester, the worse the outcome will be. Smart property owners will stay ahead of major disrepair by fixing asphalt cracks and breaks as soon as they’re detected. 

Call United Asphalt Paving!

Based in Fort Worth and serving the entire Lone Star State, our crew is ready and equipped to tackle any asphalt repairs you need. We have 25+ years of hands-on experience in the paving business, so you can rest assured we’ll provide you with the optimal solution for your asphalt cracks, potholes, and more.

Call today to schedule an appointment! Do it now before the temperature really drops.

Folks who aren’t experienced in the world of paving might not know this, but asphalt comes in a variety of different types and mixes. Which type of asphalt mix you use will largely depend on the location and purpose of your pavement.

Thankfully, United Asphalt Paving is here to figure that out for you.

Our experienced paving contractors will carefully select the right mix of asphalt according to several environmental factors, such as:

• What size loads will the pavement be supporting?
• How much ambient noise should the pavement absorb?
• How much rainfall will the pavement be exposed to?
• Does the pavement need to control for water runoff?

Once we’ve evaluated the function and performance needs of your proposed project, we’ll be able to determine the most appropriate type of asphalt to install. Your chosen asphalt will be one of the following:

• Perpetual pavement: Used primarily for roadways, perpetual pavement consists of three layers engineered for long-term durability and ease of resurfacing.
• Porous asphalt: You’ll see this type of asphalt mainly used in parking lots. It’s great for vast, level surfaces because it enables storm water management and drainage by letting water pass through the surface, into the recharge bed, and finally into the soil underneath.
• Stone mix asphalt: Also known as “quiet asphalt,” this type of pavement can reduce noise pollution by up to 50%! That’s why it’s often used on residential roadways that pass through closely settled neighborhoods.
• Hot mix asphalt: This type of asphalt is the most common paving material for home driveways. It cools down quickly, is easy to repair, withstands drastic temperature fluctuations, and has a smooth, polished finish.
• Warm mix asphalt: Not as popular as hot mix, warm mix is the eco-friendly alternative. Its manufacturing process requires less fuel and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions. It’s also easier to pour at lower temperatures, which makes it suitable (and more affordable) for shipping over long distances. Best of all, it’s safer for the health of our pavers!

If you want to find out more about the different types of asphalt mix, give us a call! United Asphalt Paving is the team of knowledgeable paving contractors in Fort Worth that you can trust for honesty, integrity, and expertise. We’d be happy to listen to your project specifications and give you our recommendation. 

Anyone who’s ever lived in Texas—especially the Fort Worth area—knows that the heat and sun can be punishing. It causes surface damage to almost everything that gets exposed to it, including asphalt surfaces. 

In fact, Texas’s high UV index and even higher temperatures are acute threats to the condition and longevity of paved roads, parking lots, driveways, and more. That’s why it pays to have a local paving contractor who grew up in the Fort Worth region and knows what it takes to protect asphalt from the heat and sun. Thankfully, that describes United Asphalt Paving to a T.

Putting Our Regional Expertise to Work

Established in 1995, we’re headquartered in Fort Worth, which is our primary service area. Additionally, we extend our services to the Houston metro. This is to say that we cover a lot of ground here in Texas, and it enables us to learn more and more each day about the climate’s effects on paved surfaces. 

For example, did you know that Texas’s strong UV rays cause pavement to dry out and crack, much like skin? Cracks alone may not seem like a huge deal, but that’s not entirely true. Unfortunately, when even the tiniest crack line forms, it becomes easier for water and moisture to creep inside the asphalt and start causing more serious damage. Therefore, pavement in this region requires a specially formulated sealer that contains antioxidants and other UV-fighting components.

Again, this is why it’s so important to work with a locally owned and operated paving company that understands exactly what your parking lot or driveway needs. At United Asphalt Paving, we take our intimate knowledge of the local climate and convert that into action, delivering smart solutions to combat UV damage and keep your pavement in good health.

To get the best asphalt paving, resurfacing, and expansions in Fort Worth and Houston, give us a call today!

Having somewhere for water to drain is critical to the structural integrity and health of your pavement. Otherwise, when water is given time to collect, form puddles, and seep into your asphalt, it will inevitably erode your pavement and cause major damage.

Therefore, when you want to ensure your asphalt lasts as long as possible, you need to use a thorough asphalt paving contractor like United Asphalt Paving. We specialize in installing asphalt driveways and parking lots with proper drainage systems in place—because we prioritize longevity and performance for all of our asphalt projects. 

To find out more about why drainage is such a vital aspect of any pavement installation project, keep reading!

Why Does Drainage Matter for Asphalt?

When water has nowhere else to go, it will start causing trouble for your pavement. Here’s how:

• The prolonged presence of water on the surface destroys asphalt over time because it corrodes the bond between the asphalt binder (which is oil-based) and bits of rock and sand. This deterioration is what often leads to potholes.
• In addition, when water seeps through the asphalt and sits below the surface, deep structural issues can begin to show. The water gradually erodes the aggregate base and subgrade, which leads the entire structure to crack and crumble under the constant weight of vehicles.
• Freezing temperatures in the winter present their own set of problems if proper drainage isn’t established. This is because water will find its way into tiny cracks in the asphalt, freeze, and expand—which then causes the cracks to widen and lengthen. The result is major cracks and potholes.

As you can see, it’s absolutely crucial to make sure an effective drainage system is in place before you install asphalt. If you don’t, water will eventually degrade the surface and internal structure of your pavement, which will only create more headaches and expenses for you down the road.

As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Any questions about how United Asphalt Paving ensures sufficient drainage for asphalt driveways and parking lots? Don’t hesitate to shoot us an email. We always love an opportunity to brag about the quality of our paving services!

Looking to expand your business’s existing parking lot? United Asphalt Paving can help with parking lots of all sizes in Fort Worth and Houston!

Whether you’re a restaurant owner trying to create more room for parking and outdoor dining, or you’re a commercial property manager struggling with your shopping plaza’s limited parking availability, our paving contractors will have the expert solution for you.

Parking Lot Paving and Expansions Done Right

See, when it comes to parking lot expansions, it takes genuine expertise to ensure seamless integration of new and old asphalt. It’s not easy! And it definitely shouldn’t be attempted by an amateur paving contractor. Rather, it’s a job best left to experienced pros like United Asphalt Paving. 

Here’s what our process looks like for a typical parking lot expansion:

1. Precise saw-cutting. We create a smooth, even edge where your old asphalt ends so the new asphalt can be installed adjacently without a noticeable seam.
2. Sub-base installation. Laying a strong, stabilized gravel foundation is a critical component of your new parking lot. A solid gravel base will support your asphalt and prevent it from collapsing underneath the weight of all those vehicles that drive and park on it every day. 
3. Proper drainage installation. If we’re adding more surface area to your parking lot, then we also need to add more drainage capacity. Without an optimal drainage system in place, water runoff will have nowhere to go and will eventually cause damage to your parking lot’s asphalt.
4. Surface leveling and edging. Once the hot asphalt has been laid down, our paving professionals will use rollers and compactors to create a smooth, even surface and clean, sharp edges. The result is a sleek finished product that you’ll be proud to have in front of your business.

So, when you need to expand your parking lot in Fort Worth, Houston, or anywhere in-between, United Asphalt Paving is the crew you can count on. Our local, family-owned paving company will go the extra mile to give you the gorgeous parking lot you deserve. 

Call now for an estimate!